It’s mock draft season, baby! It’s time to speculate. Primetime for prognostication. Everyone’s retreading the same information to clickbait us into another mock draft.
But as we all process our mental tummy aches from the junk food that is NFL mock drafts, Luke Braun has suggested that we need to change our approach to mocks. Mock drafts aren’t about winning the simulation on PFF like we’re schooling our co-workers in fantasy football. They also aren’t about screaming at national pundits for mocking a player you’re not familiar with to your team.
They’re a data point. And they help us answer the “if this, then that” scenarios that allow us to prepare for draft night.
With all this in mind, there is rampant speculation around a few teams in this year’s draft that might have as much an impact on who the Minnesota Vikings draft as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will. These teams could overhaul what Minnesota’s board looks like at No. 12 or what trades to move out of that pick might look like.
Both New York teams could snipe Vikings targets
It might seem strange to group the New York Jets and Giants together, but I think they’re very similar for this exercise.
For Minnesota, all eyes are on a premier cornerback or edge defender. However, the Jets and Giants could use the four picks between them to attack those position groups in the top 10. The Jets have picks No. 4 and 10, need cornerbacks, and head coach Robert Salah’s defense emphasizes edge talent. The Giants have picks No. 5 and 7, also need to bolster their pass rush, and the uncertainty of veteran corner James Bradberry’s future in New York means they could be drafting his replacement.
For Vikings fans, let’s hope these teams choose to put points on the board instead.
Robert Salah’s defenses have a history of undervaluing cornerback, often trotting out serviceable veterans rather than lockdown superstars. That might mean they’d pass on an Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner or Derek Stingley that early. The Jets must also consider prioritizing their build around Zach Wilson, making players like Evan Neal or Ikeem Ekwonu very tempting to slide opposite Mekhi Becton and a playmaker like Garrett Wilson a strong possibility at pick No. 10.
On the other hand, the Giants are less likely to break Minnesota’s way. They could address offensive tackle with one of their two selections. They probably should put the finishing touches on an offensive line that allows them to get a final evaluation on quarterback Daniel Jones.
However, it would be a shock if they didn’t take an edge or corner with the other pick, so Vikings fans will simply have to grit their teeth through this selection. New defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has a history of building back-to-front on defense, so I’d speculate Sauce or Stingley here.
Vikings fans need Seattle to draft a quarterback with pick No. 9
The Seattle Seahawks’ team construction has been strange, to say the least.
They traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for an underwhelming haul, leaving Drew Lock as an uncontested starter. Their highest-paid position group on defense is at both safety spots. They have no startable offensive tackles, a big hole at defensive end, and a bottom-tier group of cornerbacks.
These aren’t the same Seahawks who’ve given the Vikings fits in the past.
We’re once again faced with a case of need roulette, and Vikings fans should desperately hope that the Seahawks fall in love with a quarterback like Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett. Seattle could make that investment here at the top. But if this quarterback class underwhelms them, they may have talked themselves into a rebuilding season under Lock.
Could the Seahawks offer Minnesota a trade up here? The two organizations have a history of being willing trade partners, and Seattle still needs draft capital. The Seahawks could be a prime trade spot to make a modest move from No. 12 to 9, allowing Minnesota to hop the Jets at No. 10 if they’re concerned about losing out on the last corner or edge player. Additionally, Seattle might feel more secure taking their QB and selling it to their fanbase after the trade back.
Saints and Chargers could make an aggressive move up the board
Should the board dry up before No. 12, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might look to take a page out of Rick Spielman’s playbook and slide back a bit. New Orleans at No. 16 or Los Angeles at No. 17 might provide that opportunity.
Both teams have made it clear that they have aggressive intentions in this year’s draft. The Saints mortgaged their future for draft assets this year, seemingly with their focus higher on the board. Los Angeles is attacking a winning window with superstar Justin Herbert on a rookie deal. After all the signings and trades in free agency, they still have one last glaring hole to fill at right tackle opposite Rashawn Slater.
Adofo-Mensah may have a prime opportunity to take advantage of a seller’s market at No. 12 if the right player is still on the board. Someone like Mississippi State OT Charles Cross could be exactly what L.A. or New Orleans is looking for, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility he could be there. There’s also the possibility New Orleans could be on the hunt for their QB of the future, and the top player on their board could still be available outside the top 10.
Final Thoughts
There’s no shortage of dominoes to keep our eyes on to see where they fall on draft night. But as we all prepare for the draft, figuring out the pivot points that directly impact Minnesota is a helpful exercise. When we run or evaluate mock drafts, let’s play out these scenarios and see what that might mean for the board.
Or sit back and enjoy the ride. Part of the fun of draft night is the surprise and anticipation, so maybe it’s more interesting to let the real-life result feel fresh and new rather than one you’ve speculated on.
