Minnesota Vikings: Looking forward to the 2021 NFL Draft

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 28: A general view of U.S. Bank Stadium as the Minnesota Vikings practice during training camp on August 28, 2020 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 28: A general view of U.S. Bank Stadium as the Minnesota Vikings practice during training camp on August 28, 2020 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Minnesota Vikings: Looking forward to the 2021 NFL Draft
Vikings 2021 NFL Draft target Dylan Moses. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Potential 2021 NFL Draft targets

The Vikings first-round pick directly relates to their decisions on quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Dalvin Cook. If they move on from Cousins and trade him, or choose not to resign Cook, this pick could go one of three ways. quarterback, running back, or linebacker.

We are staring at another four possible first-round quarterbacks in this draft, three running backs, and a handful of linebackers in the first round. While I think it’s unlikely they move on from both without a current back-up plan or a second first-round pick, it is none the less a strong possibility.

In the first round, there should be three main targets as I expect them to be picking towards the middle of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft:

Linebacker- Dylan Moses, Alabama
Defensive Tackle- Jay Tufele, USC
Wide Receiver- Seth Williams, Auburn

The Vikings do not currently possess a second-round pick.

In the third round, the Vikings need to make it count. If he should fall the Vikings should jump on Travis Etienne as a gift from the football gods, even if they keep Dalvin Cook on the roster. In this much needed third round, I would look at the Vikings to target wide receiver, defensive tackle, or quarterback; unless an running back such as Etienne falls to them.

We have seen a lot of solid wide receivers come out of the third round recently, as they get pushed down, due to needs coming in the second round rather than talent. In the third round last year we saw highly-touted WR such as Bryan Edwards, South Carolina, and Devin Duvernay, Texas. While Gabriel Davis, UCF, and Antonio Gandy-Golden, Liberty slid into the fourth round. Last year saw seven WR drafted in the second round, so don’t be surprised if the Vikings like a WR enough they may move up a little bit to go and grab him.

Next. Fantasy Football: 5 Rookies worth starter consideration in NFL Week 1. dark

Rounds four through seven Will most likely be used as linebacker, offensive line, defensive back, and tight end depth. They have eight picks between rounds four and seven. As this draft does not seem to have the same level as depth as 2020, I am not sure if they will hold a ton of value come draft day if they wanted to package them to move up.