The 2023 NFL Draft has the Minnesota Vikings facing two realities. They have many needs (especially on defense), and they have too few draft picks. With this as a backdrop, my mock draft for the team will include moves made to increase their draft capital. They may or may not choose this strategy, but It is my belief that this is the best course to take as the team faces a competitive rebuild.
The Vikings have glaring needs at cornerback, defensive tackle, wide receiver, inside linebacker, and the interior offensive line positions. With only five draft picks overall, the team faces a formidable task as they attempt to restock for the 2022-23 season and beyond. I believe the team needs to be nimble and flexible with their selections. So here is my very active Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft.
As the Vikings near their first pick in the draft, a league official announces the details of a trade. The Minnesota Vikings have traded the 23rd pick to the New England Patriots. In return, the Vikings will receive the Patriots’ 46th, 76th, and 117th picks in the 2023 NFL draft and also the Patriots’ second-round selection in the 2024 draft. Now there’s a trade to get your blood pumping.
Vikings First Draft Pick
With the departures of Patrick Peterson, Cameron Dantzler, Chandron Sullivan, and Duke Shelley, the Vikings use their first pick to select cornerback Emmanuel Forbes from Mississippi State University to start their rebuild of this position.
Starting in 2020, the ball-hawking Forbes has led all college football players in interceptions (14), six of which were returned for touchdowns. This playmaker will fit nicely into defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ tenacious zone coverage defensive scheme.
Former Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo (1) – Justin Ford/Getty Images
With their first 3rd round draft pick, the Vikings select wide receiver Jonathan Mingo out of the University of Mississippi. This sure-handed, competitive receiver will be a perfect replacement for the recently departed Adam Thielen. He is hard to bring down on initial contact, and he has deceptive speed.
Next, with their 87th pick in the draft, the Minnesota Vikings select defensive tackle Colby Wooden, who played his college ball at Auburn University. When Dalvin Tomlinson went to the Cleveland Browns in free agency this offseason, a big hole was created in the Minnesota interior defense. Wooden is very agile moving laterally, and he should add some explosiveness to the Vikings’ pass rush.
Three Picks in the Fourth Round
Before the fourth round starts, the Minnesota Vikings announce another trade. The team will send edge/defensive end Za’Darius Smith to Baltimore in exchange for the Ravens’ 2023 4th round (124) draft pick. That means the Vikings now have three 4th round draft picks.
Former Arkansas C Ricky Stromberg (51) – Hank Layton/NWA Democrat-Gazette
With their first selection in this round, they draft center Ricky Stromberg from the University of Arkansas. Minnesota’s current center Garrett Bradbury is small, and his pass blocking has always been subpar. A real “junkyard dog,” Stromberg won’t win any style points with his technique, but he is a tenacious and hard-nosed blocker. He did not allow a quarterback sack in his senior year.
The Minnesota Vikings lack depth at the inside linebacker position after they released long-time starter Eddie Kendricks. With that in mind, the team uses the 120th slot in the draft to pick linebacker Henry To’oTo’o from the University of Alabama.
Although smallish in size, To’oto’o is an aggressive, fearless tackler, and his motor is always on when he is playing. He is also an inspirational player and a born leader. Observers say he is like having another coach on the field.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is in the final year of a very lucrative contract, and he has indicated that he would like to stay with the team long-term. However, he attempted to negotiate a two-year extension with the Purple, but his request was denied by Minnesota’s GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. So now the pressure is on the team to find their quarterback of the future.
With that as a backdrop, with their final pick in the fourth round, the Minnesota Vikings chose quarterback Tanner McKee from Stanford University. McKee is tall, has tremendous arm strength and he can make the throws at all three levels. There is some concern about his lack of mobility, but this seems like the appropriate spot to take a chance on the young signal-caller.
Final Draft Picks
With their selection in the fifth round, the Minnesota Vikings are looking for depth at a key position. As they are still thin at cornerback, the team next selects cornerback Starling Thomas V out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The speedy Thomas accelerates well and has an intuitive “nose for the ball.” He projects position flexibility as he can play either in the slot or on the outside.
Former East Carolina RB Keaton Mitchell (2) – James Guillory/USA TODAY Sports
With Dalvin Cook’s imminent departure from the team, the Vikings would like to add depth to their backfield. Keaton Mitchell from East Carolina University would be a perfect complement to Minnesota’s tandem of Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler. The shifty Mitchell would add a new dimension to the Vikings’ offense, and he could be a valuable contributor to their special teams’ units.
Lastly, the Minnesota Vikings further add to their defensive depth by drafting safety Jordan Howden from the University of Minnesota. Howden is inconsistent in his coverage skills, but he is intelligent and has the ability to make the big plays. He projects as a solid backup and a strong special teams player.
Draft Summary
There you have it. In my mock draft, the Vikings go from having five overall picks to drafting nine players. And six of those players are selected within the first 125 picks of this year’s draft. What will the Vikings do when it’s showtime? Tune in on April 27-29 to find out.
