The Minnesota Vikings selected six players in the 2023 NFL Draft, followed by quick acquisitions of 15 undrafted free agents.
These players appeared in the draft.
- R1: Jordan Addison (WR, USC)
- R3: Mekhi Blackmon (CB, USC)
- R4: Jay Ward (S, LSU)
- R5: Jacqueline Roy (DT, LSU)
- R5: Jaren Hall: (QB, BYU)
- R7: Dewayne McBride (RB, UAB)
The project solved the mystery of the 3 great Vikings
Plus 15 UDFAs.
- Alan Ali (OL, TCU)
- Calvin Avery (DT, Illinois)
- Abraham Boplan (ILB, Marshall)
- Andre Carter II (EDGE, army)
- Jackie Chan (OL, Pace)
- CJ Coldon (CB, Oklahoma)
- Wilson Huber (ILB, Cincinnati)
- Cephus Johnson (WR, SE Louisiana)
- Malik Knowles (WR, Kansas State)
- Ivan Pace, Jr (ILB, Cincinnati)
- Jack Podlesny (K, Georgia)
- Ben Sims (TE Baylor)
- Thayer Thomas (WR, NC State)
- Naji Thompson (CBI, South Georgia)
- Jaylin Williams (CBI, Indiana)
Along the way, three great Viking mysteries were solved, and these are.
1. Is KJ Osborn a WR2?
Answer: No, probably not.
The selection of Jordan Addison makes life hectic for Osborne if he wanted to work at WR2. If Week 6 rolls around and Addison doesn’t handle the WR2 workload, eyebrows will be raised.
Osborne will still be a big part of the Vikings offense; The presence of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should make him frequent. wide open – but the WR2 dream is probably blue.
Also remember that 2023 is a contract year for Osborne. In about nine months, articles like this will have Osborne’s next contract or possible new directions on the agenda.
2. This is mostly for cornerbacks.
Answer: Yes – quite a lot.
Minnesota spent the 3rd round on Mekhi Blackmon for USC, a 24-year-old product from the United States. He needs to get playing time sooner rather than later. But the Vikings haven’t drafted a week-one CB like Deonte Banks or Joey Porter Jr. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah actually passed on Banks and Porter Jr. Addison’s favor, so yes, this is probably “it” for 2023 KBs.
The Vikings could theoretically sign an experienced free agent like Marcus Peters or Shaquille Griffin to lead this group;
CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Andrew Booth
CB3: Akayleb Evans
CB4: Joejuan Williams
CB5: Mekhi Blackmon
CB6. Tay Gowan
CB7: Calon Barnes
CB8: CJ Coldon
CB9: Naji Thompson
CB10: Jaylin Williams
But let’s face it. The team will keep five or six CBs. If they add another veteran, who is the odd man out at the top of the roster? Freshman safety Jay Ward from LSU will likely be on the deck at times as well to handle the slot at cornerback.
It’s a packed CB house with no known, proven talent outside of Murphy.
3. Will the Vikings draft a true-blue QB of the future?
Answer: Not really.
Jaren Hall could turn into the next big thing. However, he won’t start for the Vikings until he’s 26 or 27 years old. And he’s a 5th rounder. The names of the players of the last rounds are not mentioned Tom Brady hardly ever comes out.
Indeed, it will be fun to watch Hall in the preseason. he’s playing better more efficiently than Sean Mannion, but he’s a fair lottery ticket as to the starter’s future.
Finally, after relentless speculation, the Vikings did no trade the draft board for CJ Stroud or Anthony Richardson, said No thanks Hendon handed over Hooker and tellingly to Will Lewis at pick No. 23.
The club didn’t prepare for life after Kirk Cousins had a late dream in the Hall.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel, VikesNow:. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday Raun Sauh and: Sal Spice:. His Viking obsession dates back to 1996. Guilty pleasures mentioned: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, The Sopranos and The Doors (band).
All statistics are provided Pro Football Reference / Stathead:; All contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.