Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Nate Davis of USA TODAY
Feb. 22, 2021
The predicted pick: Gregory Rousseau, Edge Rusher, Miami
The Vikes had an NFC-low 23 sacks in 2020, longtime coach Mike Zimmer saying of his defense: "worst one I've ever had." Rousseau, who's 20, had 15.5 sacks in 2019, winning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors before opting out in 2020. His 6-7 frame also makes him a threat to bat down balls when he can't get to the quarterback. He and Danielle Hunter could form scary bookends in a division ruled by Aaron Rodgers.
Click here for Davis' full mock draft.
Doug Farrar of USA TODAY
Feb. 26, 2021
The predicted pick: Gregory Rousseau, Edge Rusher, Miami
Last season, the Vikings had just 23 sacks and 186 total pressures — both numbers ranked in the NFL's bottom five. A precipitous drop from the 48 sacks and 263 pressures Minnesota had in 2019, and given Head Coach Mike Zimmer's defensive acumen, you'd assume he'd want to do something about that.
At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Rousseau is built like a very [angry] power forward, and his positional versatility is a big plus. Though he projects obviously as an edge defender with his athleticism, he's also more than capable of kicking inside and providing quarterback disruption between the tackles. He also has the range to cover tight ends and slot receivers on zone drops.
Rousseau will need to work on his array of hand moves and counters — like most top-level collegiate defensive linemen, he was able to skate by to a degree on his freakish physical gifts. Give him a year and a whole lot of coaching, and you could see his 2019 numbers (15.5 sacks, six quarterback hits, 24 quarterback hurries and 21 run stops) start to transfer to the NFL.
Click here for Farrar's full mock draft.
Brentley Weissman of The Draft Network (three rounds)
Feb. 18, 2021
The predicted pick: Gregory Rousseau, Edge Rusher, Miami
Minnesota needs to address both sides of the line of scrimmage and starts here on the defensive side of the football with Rousseau. Rousseau is the best pass rusher in this class and has the length, quickness, and flexibility to be a double-digit sack artist relatively early in his career. The team swung and missed with their acquisition of Yannick Ngakoue, so adding Rousseau makes up for it.
The predicted pick at No. 78: James Hudson, Tackle, Cincinnati
The predicted pick at No. 90: Andre Cisco, Safety, Syracuse
Click here for Weissman's full mock draft.
Drae Harris of The Draft Network (three rounds)
Feb. 26, 2021
The predicted pick: Christian Barmore, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
The Vikings regressed this past season. This was due in part to the lackluster play of their offensive and defensive lines. Defensively, they weren't able to generate the pressure inside they had hoped. Barmore is a big, explosive athlete who should instantly make that defensive line better.
The predicted pick at No. 78: Jabril Cox, Linebacker, LSU
The predicted pick at No. 90: Israel Mukuamu, Cornerback, South Carolina
Click here for Harris' full mock draft.
Trevor Sikkema of The Draft Network
March 1, 2021
The predicted pick: Gregory Rousseau, Edge Rusher, Miami
This one goes against history a bit, as the Vikings have not drafted a defensive lineman in the first round since Sharrif Floyd in 2013. In fact, they haven't drafted a defensive lineman since the third round of any draft since they drafted Danielle Hunter in 2015.
Rousseau could be a tendency breaker for them, though. They have needs at [edge rusher] and along the interior of their defensive line. Rousseau gives them that versatility to be a plus addition at both.
Click here for Sikkema's full mock draft.
Matthew Valdovinos of Pro Football Network (three rounds)
Feb. 28, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Kwity Paye, Edge Rusher, Michigan
The Vikings have a desperate need for talent on the defensive line, whether on the edge opposite Danielle Hunter or the interior. They select what many view as the top edge rusher in the 2021 class, Kwity Paye.
Paye is a dominant run defender whose motor runs hot 24/7. The explosion he plays with at 270+ pounds is truly rare, and he would be an excellent option to pair with Hunter. The retooling of Mike Zimmer's defense gets another quality piece.
The predicted pick at No. 78: Tylan Wallace, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State
The predicted pick at No. 90: Bobby Brown, Defensive Tackle, Ohio State
Click here for Valdovinos' full mock draft.