As the off-season continues to roll along in preparation for the start of the 2021 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings and the rest of the league are working to fill holes and needs on their depth charts before the new year officially kicks off. With the first portion of free agency now over with, the next event on the off-season calendar is the NFL draft. The Vikings, who finished the 2020 season with a record of 7-9 and failed to reach the postseason, hold a total of 10 selections in the upcoming draft.
Minnesota Vikings Draft Could See Them Trade Away 14th Pick
One of the Vikings 10 picks is the 14th overall selection, but Minnesota also has two third-round picks (78 and 90), four fourth-round selections (119, 125, 134 and 143), two fifth-round picks (157 and 168) and one selection in the sixth round (199).
One of the needs the Vikings should look to address either in the first round, or at least within the first few rounds, of the draft is the need at offensive line. The lack of talent among that group must be addressed. If the purple and gold end up holding onto the number 14 pick in the first round of the draft, they should strongly consider taking one of the talented offensive lineman expected to still be on the board.
Rumors have started to swirl, at least to some extent, surrounding Minnesota potentially being interested in trading up in the first round if a player the Vikings really like started to fall to the midway point of the opening round. That could include a few of the top tier offensive lineman or perhaps even one of the handful of solid quarterback prospects filling this year’s draft class.
While that is possible, it’s more likely that the Vikings end up trading back in the draft to gain even more assets throughout this year’s draft and/or in future drafts. And other NFL teams might give up a bit more than usual to move into the number 14 spot this year.
Rick Spielman’s Draft MO
There are a few reasons to believe or think Minnesota would end up moving back in the draft rather than up. One reason is the history of Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and his fondness in racking up draft assets.
Over the course Spielman’s time in Minnesota, where he has served as vice president of player personnel from 2006-11 before taking over as general manager since 2012, he has oftentimes traded back in drafts to grab an additional pick or two in the following rounds or in future years. If there are a few players that the Vikings have their eyes on still left on the board at number 14, maybe Spielman and company will decide to trade back at least a few spots to gain an additional pick or two while still being able to get one of those targeted players.
Gaining Assets Lost In 2020
During the 2020 season, Minnesota traded away its second-round pick in this year’s draft in order to bring in defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. The Vikings ended up trading Ngakoue to the Baltimore Ravens a few weeks later and got a 2021 third-rounder and a 2020 conditional pick in return. As a result of that, Minnesota is without a second-round selection in this year’s draft and it ideally would like to acquire a second-round pick if the opportunity presented itself.
Last Word
Hypothetically, if Minnesota were to move back a few spots in the first round and could somehow also get a second-round pick in the draft along the way, that might be the best case scenario and could result in the Vikings being able to address multiple needs early in this year’s draft.
When the draft rolls around at the end of April, don’t be surprised at all if Minnesota elects to trade back rather than trade up in the first round.
Main Photo
