NFC North Mock Draft Part Three: Minnesota Vikings
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DETROIT (PSF) — We are only three days away from the NFL Draft. The Minnesota Vikings, like the Bears, have limited draft capital in the first four rounds, and only two of those picks being their own.
Same rules as the other two NFC North mock drafts I’ve made. Only four rounds and no trades.
11th overall Pick — J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
This start all depends on if the New York Giants are smart and draft a receiver instead of drafting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
The Vikings are in an awkward scenario. They have need in the secondary which could be addressed with Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, someone who I believe is the best corner in this class, or Alabama CB Terrion Arnold. Yet they also have questions at the quarterback position with former New York Jets and Carolina Panthers QB Sam Darnold currently as the starter.
McCarthy is a quarterback that will likely take a little time to develop, but with how stacked the Vikings offense is across the board, with some development, McCarthy could become a dangerous signal caller in the NFL.
He is a great passer who also is one of the best prospects I’ve ever seen when it comes to sensing pressure from opposing defenses. When he’s scrambling to find an open receiver, McCarthy was one of the best in college. As the defenses in the NFC North and the conference as a whole are starting to improve, McCarthy will be tested to see if he can evolve into a more dangerous signal caller in the passing game.
He never threw over 3,000 passing yards in college although he was close this past year with 2,991. This was partially due to how run-heavy the Wolverines offense was. However, McCarthy rarely made costly throws in his two years starting in Ann Arbor. Only throwing five interceptions in 2022 and four this past season.
The Vikings prepare for the future at quarterback and they don’t have to trade up draft capital to do so, as long as the Giants are smart and not throw another rookie into the fire.
23rd overall — Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
In their trade with the Cleveland Browns for defensive end Za’Darius Smith, the Vikings acquired the Browns first-round pick which gives them an opportunity to solve their other key missing piece.
Iowa CB Cooper DeJean is one of the best corners available in this class. With this pick, the Vikings have an opportunity to steal a prospect that has been heavily linked to the Green Bay Packers.
DeJean has been a beast for the last two years with the Hawkeyes.
In 2022, DeJean recorded eight pass deflections, 75 tackles, and five interceptions. That year, he was named to Second-team All-Big 10 Conference. Three of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns which tied the FBS lead for that year.
In 2023, he had similar, slightly less numbers with five deflections, 41 tackles, and two interceptions. He was named to the First-team Associated Press All-American. While also being named for other accolades such as the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, Return Specialist of the Year and First-team All-Big Ten Conference.
His main weakness is that he isn’t particularly great in man coverage at times and is better suited for zone. That weakness can be improved overtime with the help of defensive coordinator Brian Flores. His defense runs a lot of blitzes that leave their secondary in zone coverage, which DeJean is better suited for.
Like with McCarthy, DeJean will need to be developed a bit, although in this case he needs to improve his skills in man coverage.
With the first round done, the Vikings address their two arguably biggest needs going into the draft.
108th overall — Nathan Thomas, OT, Louisiana - Lafayette
Photo Credit: Mike Caudill/AP Photo
After DeJean, the Vikings will have to wait until the final day of the NFL Draft to get another prospect. One clear need for the team is tackle depth, particularly on the left side.
After their starter in left tackle Christian Darrisaw, there is no backup for him, so their next pick should be focused on getting depth in the unforeseen event of an injury to Darrisaw or anyone on the line.
LT Nathan Thomas is somewhat raw as a tackle prospect. He is great in the run game but needs improvement in the pass protection category. He only gave up five sacks this past season according to PFF and the year before, he only gave up one sack.
Some scouts believe he is better suited to play guard due to his struggles in pass protection. However, if given time to improve he can improve to be a quality depth piece for the Vikings offense and even a decent starter if injuries really take a toll on their starters.
129th overall — MARCUS harris, DT, Auburn
With an ankle injury to backup defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy keeping him out of a few games this past season, a question could be raised regarding the team’s depth in the middle of the defensive line.
When the Detroit Lions traded tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings, they gave up a fourth-round pick.
In this case, they pick up depth again with Auburn DT Marcus Harris.
While slightly undersized for a defensive lineman at 6 feet 2 inches, Harris makes up for it with his speed and instincts.
In his first full season for the Tigers after transferring from Kansas in 2021, Harris recorded 27 tackles, six tackles for loss (TFL) and two sacks. He continued to improve over the next two years.
In 2022, he had 30 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and two sacks. His best season came in 2023, where he recorded 40 tackles, 11 TFL, and seven sacks.
His main weaknesses is that he tends to get swarmed by bigger offensive lineman and he needs to grow as a pass rusher. However, with how stacked the Vikings defensive line is and how heavily they blitz, if he gets a chance to play due to injuries, he could rise up the depth chart and take advantage of how stacked the line is. Another depth piece move.
With this mock draft, the Vikings address three critical needs and get some extra depth with their fourth pick.
