The pre-draft process often feels like it takes years, but — hooray! — we’re finally just a day away from teams making picks. ‘Tis the season, though, for smokescreens and shields as teams try to hide which players they covet while agents try to promote their clients, hoping for higher selections.
So, we’re going to try to cut through the noise. Here’s a look at what we’re hearing about the Vikings as they make their final preparations for Thursday night’s first round of the NFL Draft.
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A trade up is still possible
The Vikings are probably more inclined to trade back than up, but the latter option hasn’t been ruled out if one of two players falls. The Vikings brought in Travon Walker for an interview, which is unusual for a team with the No. 12 pick to do with a player considered a potential No. 1 pick. But it goes to show the homework new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is doing in case Walker makes a surprise fall down the draft board on a night when no one knows how the top five will shake out.
The other name that could intrigue Adofo-Mensah enough to move up is Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, the consensus No. 1 cornerback. Unless they’re willing to give up their second-round pick (I don’t think they are), the Vikings probably wouldn’t be able to move up until pick No. 8 at the earliest, a move that would likely cost their third-round pick.
But if Gardner or Walker falls to that point, keep an eye on the Vikings.
The wide receiver buzz is dampening at No. 12
One of the most intriguing options for the Vikings with the No. 12 pick is drafting a wide receiver. Sure, it would ignore the glaring long-term weakness at cornerback, but it would be fun to see if that move — combined with head coach Kevin O’Connell — could unlock a new level of Minnesota’s offense. The Vikings might have to resort to outscoring teams 31-28 in that instance, but it’s a fun scenario to think about.
Still, it’s probably not going to happen. The chances of that were hurt when the Vikings signed Adam Thielen to a redone deal that virtually assures he’ll be on the roster for two more years. Now, Adofo-Mensah enters the draft knowing he’ll have Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and KJ Osborn together at least through 2023.
Because of that, the Vikings aren’t likely to draft a wide receiver at No. 12. If they trade back, perhaps it becomes more of an option depending on who is available late in the first round. But at No. 12, I’d be surprised if it’s a wide receiver.
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No team knows Derek Stingley Jr. like the Vikings
The Vikings have been linked at No. 12 to the LSU cornerback more than any other player in mock drafts. And there’s good reason for that. Derek Stingley Jr. fills a major need and fits the size and speed requirements that work in a Vic Fangio-style defense, and he’d have a natural mentor in Minnesota in Patrick Peterson, a fellow former LSU star (not to mention Jefferson, who was a teammate of Stingley Jr.’s in Baton Rouge).
But that also underplays the advanced knowledge the Vikings have about Stingley Jr. via Daronte Jones, their defensive backs coach. Jones held the same position with Minnesota in 2020 before going to LSU in 2021 to serve as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. He worked with Stingley Jr. more closely than any other coach last season. After a coaching change at LSU, Jones returned to the Vikings earlier this offseason.
The biggest questions with Stingley Jr. are about his production and health. He was incredible in 2019 as a freshman on the Tigers’ national championship team. But he missed more games due to injury than he played in the subsequent two seasons, and his play wasn’t quite at the level of 2019. That’s the only thing giving teams pause about him — otherwise, he might be a top-five pick.
But the Vikings have more insight into those injuries and that production than any team because of Jones’ work at LSU. The sense as the draft nears is the Vikings are ready to pick Stingley Jr. if he’s available.
If he’s not, a trade back is likely
Some scouts (though, notably, not our draft expert Dane Brugler) say there’s a gap between the top two cornerbacks (Gardner and Stingley Jr.) in this draft and the next tier of corners, namely Trent McDuffie and Andrew Booth. (Of note, Brugler has McDuffie rated higher than Stingley Jr.)
So the biggest question I have on the eve of the draft is this: What will the Vikings do if they’re on the clock and Stingley Jr., Gardner and the other top-rated prospects have already been taken?
One option would be to take McDuffie, a smaller cornerback who thrived in college, even if there’s concern about his height (5-foot-10) and shorter-than-average arms for his position. The difference between Stingley Jr. and McDuffie according to one scout? Stingley Jr. has more potential, but McDuffie is more of a sure thing, someone you can trust will be able to play for years to come.
But if the Vikings aren’t sold on McDuffie or think they can get him later, a trade back out of the No. 12 spot makes a lot of sense. The Vikings have only three picks in the top 150 and would love to add another. If they can do so while just moving back four or five spots, that would be hard to turn down.
If they do move back, some options for the Vikings in the late teens include McDuffie, edge rusher Jermaine Johnson (a Minnesota native), defensive tackle Jordan Davis, wide receiver Chris Olave and Booth.
Guard, safety aren’t top priorities
Though the Vikings are still expected to draft a player at guard and safety, neither seems likely with one of the team’s first two picks. The Vikings will probably address cornerback and defensive line with those selections (though potentially wide receiver, too), opting to wait on guard and safety.
Of course, something unexpected could happen, like safety Kyle Hamilton being available at No. 12 or the Vikings nabbing a safety in the third round, but for now, it sounds like the Vikings are comfortable with Cam Bynum as a starter opposite Harrison Smith. They’re certainly going to bring in some competition so a second-year player who was on the field for just 17 percent of the defensive snaps a year ago isn’t handed a starting job, but it’s not the top priority. Same for right guard after the Vikings signed Jesse Davis and Chris Reed.
Finally, some predictions
• Stingley Jr. gets taken in the top 10.
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• The Vikings trade back and still can draft McDuffie.
• The Gophers have a player (Boye Mafe) taken in the first round for the second straight year.
• The Vikings draft multiple cornerbacks.
• The Vikings use one of their first four picks on a tight end.
(Photo of Derek Stingley Jr.: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images)
Chad Graff is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the New England Patriots since 2022 after five years on the Minnesota Vikings beat. Graff joined The Athletic in January 2018 after covering a bit of everything for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He won the Pro Football Writers of America’s 2022 Bob Oates Award for beat writing. He's a New Hampshire native and an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of New Hampshire. Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadGraff
