We’re finally here.
After much anticipation and a busy free agency where the Minnesota Vikings made significant moves on both sides of the ball, it’s draft day. While last year’s draft might have had more hype surrounding it because the Vikings had two first-round picks and the all-but-confirmed notion that they were taking a quarterback in Round 1, there’s still plenty to be intrigued about in this class.
The Vikings had a stellar offseason where they addressed most of their major needs, but they only have four picks in this class. Therefore, most experts are confused about who they will pick or whether they will pick in the first round.
With this in mind, let’s see what these experts have the Vikings taking in their final mock drafts.
Matt Miller (ESPN+)
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Vikings have been connected to defensive backs heavily in the past two weeks and are often mentioned as a trade-back candidate since the team has only four picks in this draft. If they stick, Emmanwori has the height-weight-speed traits to be a difference-maker at safety.
With Cam Bynum departing in the offseason, the Vikings need a safety, and Emmanwori’s stock has jumped massively with historical combine testing numbers. Miller also mentions the potential for the Vikings to trade back and acquire more capital. Still, he ultimately has them taking Emmanwori, who he believes can take an already good Vikings defense to another level.
Peter Schrager (ESPN+)
Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC
The Vikings have needs elsewhere and wouldn’t list running back as a clear hole on their roster. But if Hampton is on the board, he’d be a wonderful addition to a young core that the organization hopes can grow old together.
Schrager has the Vikings selecting Hampton, a running back, in Round 1 despite re-signing Aaron Jones and trading for and extending Jordan Mason this offseason. While this might be the most apparent need, Hampton would help spell Jones and Mason while providing an excellent solution for the future of Minnesota’s running back position.
NFL Nation (Kevin Seifert) (ESPN+)
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Vikings would trade down from this spot only for a slam-dunk return, and none materialized in conversations here. With Booker, Zabel and Harmon all off the table, the choice here is a safety whose size and playmaking skills would make him an intriguing addition to Brian Flores’ positionless defense. The Vikings have one safety position to fill this season after bidding farewell to Camryn Bynum, and 36-year-old Harrison Smith has been in year-to-year mode for a while. Similarities with 2022 first-round pick Lewis Cine, a safety who was released after two seasons, won’t deter this decision.
Seifert also has the Vikings selecting Emmanwori, citing Harrison Smith‘s advanced age, along with other players they would also be targeting falling off the board. Seifert also states that the Vikings will only trade down if the return is a slam-dunk win for them and will stick and pick if it is not.
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com)
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The expectation is the Vikings will address either the offensive or defensive line here, even after making additions at those spots through free agency. Harmon can learn from Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave before becoming a full-time starter.
Jeremiah has the Vikings taking Derrick Harmon out of Oregon in the first round. While this might feel a bit surprising given the Vikings adding Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in free agency, given their age, having Harmon to rotate in on certain snaps and learn from them might be a smart move.
Field Yates (ESPN+)
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Minnesota’s safety room is starting to change; Camryn Bynum is now in Indianapolis, and Harrison Smith is 36 years old. Emmanwori has exceptional physical traits and ball skills, dominating at the combine after a four-INT season.
Yates also has Minnesota taking Emmanwori, citing the aging Smith and the loss of Cam Bynum as reasons the Vikings should go safety. He also cites Emmanwori’s exceptional physical traits, which he displayed at the combine, and his ball-hawk ability – two things that defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves in his defensive backs.
