EAGAN, Minn. — Welcome to the seventh and final Vikings 2021 Mock Draft Tracker.
The 2021 NFL Draft is just two days away, as the first round kicks off at 7 p.m. (CT) Thursday on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds 2 and 3 begin Friday at 6 p.m. (CT) on the same channels, and the final four rounds start Saturday at 11 a.m. (CT).
The Vikings currently have the 14th overall pick after Minnesota went 7-9 in 2020, finishing in third place in the NFC North. Minnesota has drafted at No. 14 overall twice in team history, doing so in back-to-back years in 1986 and 1987.
The Vikings currently hold 10 overall picks. Minnesota does not have a second-rounder but has a pair of third-round selections plus four picks in the fourth round.
This is the seventh edition of our Vikings 2021 Mock Draft Tracker, which includes 28 mock drafts from across the football world.
Offensive linemen were the slight favorite with 13 projections and tackle/guard Alijah Vera-Tucker of Southern California going to Minnesota eight times.
Vera-Tucker tied with Miami edge rusher Jaelan Phillips as the player most-often projected to the Vikings, as Phillips also landed in Purple eight times by draft experts. Overall, edge rushers were picked to Minnesota 11 times.
There were three positions — quarterback, linebacker and defensive tackle — that garnered a single tally.
And four of the 27 experts had the Vikings swinging a first-round trade, with all four of them projecting Minnesota to move down on Thursday night.
Here's a look at our seventh and final Vikings 2021 Mock Draft Tracker:
Peter King of NBC Sports
April 26, 2020
The predicted pick at No. 14: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Tackle/Guard, Southern California
I believe I lead the Vikings chunk of my mock annually with this sentence: GM Rick Spielman really wants to trade down. Nothing new this year. Maybe he'll find an aggressive taker if one of the receivers is still on the board. I had Jaelan Phillips here until making the switch Sunday mid-day. Lots of times, in mock-scienceville, you're influenced by the last voice you hear. So I had Phillips until the last three people I texted with Sunday told me the need is too great on the Minnesota offensive line, and Vera-Tucker the person and prospect just too solid, and Phillips the person and prospect a little risky, and so I hit the delete button. Vera-Tucker, with 13 starts at guard and six at tackle, and was voted the top offensive lineman in the conference by his foes last year. Seems a very safe pick.
Click here for King's full mock draft.
ESPN's Todd McShay (three rounds)
April 13, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Tackle/Guard, Southern California
There are holes all over the Vikings line, and Vera-Tucker has versatility — though his best fit is at guard. He's a strong blocker at the second level, which will help open lanes for Dalvin Cook in the running game.
The predicted pick at No. 78: Payton Turner, Edge Rusher, Houston
Minnesota's 23 sacks ranked in the bottom five in 2020, and Turner has the strength to drive back blockers and get to the QB. He'd likely play a rotational role early in his career but should develop into a reliable starter.
The predicted pick at No. 90: Richard LeCounte, Safety, Georgia
Anthony Harris signed in Philadelphia, and Harrison Smith is 32 years old. LeCounte has closing burst and ex-receiver ball skills.
Click here for McShay's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Peter Schrager
April 20, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Jaelan Phillips, Edge Rusher, Miami
The Vikings have a bunch of their best pass rushers returning from injury, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't take another in the top 15. I think Phillips could be the guy, and the first pass rusher off the board when it's all said and done.
Click here for Schrager's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks
April 27, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Tackle/Guard, Southern California
The versatile USC product shores up a big weakness for the Vikings as an athletic interior blocker with the ability to play tackle if needed.
Click here for Brook's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Chad Reuter (four rounds included)
April 23, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Rashawn Slater, Tackle, Northwestern
Slater will be a very good left tackle in the NFL, but his 6-foot-4 1/4 frame and 33-inch arms might keep him out of the top dozen selections. Tristan Wirfs fell out of the top 10 last year for similar reasons. Will teams learn that lesson and pick Slater earlier? If not, the Vikings will gladly snap him up and plug him in as Kirk Cousins' blind-side protector.
The predicted pick at No. 78: Tutu Atwell, Wide Receiver, Louisville
The predicted pick at No. 90: Ben Cleveland, Guard, Georgia
The predicted pick at No. 119: Kyle Trask, Quarterback, Florida
The predicted pick at No. 125: Jamar Johnson, Safety, Indiana
The predicted pick at No. 134: Elerson Smith, Edge Rusher, Northern Iowa
The predicted pick at No. 143: Derrick Barnes, Linebacker, Purdue
Click here for Reuter's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Rhett Lewis
April 26, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Jaelan Phillips, Edge Rusher, Miami
This selection, as with any team considering Phillips, will depend on his medical evaluation checking out. Phillips medically retired at UCLA before eventually coming back to football and transferring to Miami, where he became a dominant pass rusher. With a motor that never quits, Phillips has all the tools to be a prolific edge defender in the NFL. I remember watching a play against Florida State where he nearly got to the quarterback before the QB handed it off on a draw play. At this point, Phillips was 7 yards deep in the backfield and, after the handoff, ended up chasing down the running back 22 yards downfield. Yes, it was a chunk play for the offense, but it could have been more, and you never saw a change in speed from Phillips. Love that kind of effort from an elite talent.
Click here for Lewis' full mock draft.
NFL.com's Charles Davis
April 16, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Jaelan Phillips, Edge Rusher, Miami
Phillips is the best edge rusher in the draft, in my humble opinion. He reminds me a bit of current Vikings DE Danielle Hunter.
Click here for Davis' full mock draft.
NFL.com's Maurice Jones-Drew
April 13, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Jaelan Phillips, Edge Rusher, Miami
Mike Zimmer loves to draft Bruins (SEE: Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks). Next in line is Phillips, who finished his college career at Miami, but spent his first two seasons at UCLA. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder gives the Vikings front an athletic pass rusher to help pressure NFC North QBs.
Click here for Jones-Drew's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Charley Casserly
April 15, 2021
TRADE: Casserly has Minnesota moving down from No. 14 to No. 19 in a trade with Washington. He did not include trade compensation details.
The predicted pick at No. 19: Christian Darrisaw, Tackle, Virginia Tech
Minnesota fills a big need by solidifying the left tackle position after Riley Reiff's exit.
Click here for Casserly'sfull mock draft.
Eric Eager and George Chahrouri of Pro Football Focus
April 26, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Rashawn Slater, Tackle, Northwestern
_Slater is considered by many to be the top tackle in this draft despite Sewell's brilliance in 2019, but our system has him slightly below Darrisaw. Hence, he falls to Minnesota here. Russell Okung is Slater's most notable statistical comp in our college-to-pro system, with Anthony Castonzo being one of the comps for his ceiling projection. _
Click here for PFF's full mock draft.
Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus
April 19, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Christian Barmore, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
The Vikings would love to take an offensive tackle at this spot, but I'm playing the value game based on the PFF draft board. Barmore is the best interior defensive lineman in the draft, and he adds a pass-rushing element that Minnesota doesn't currently have on the roster.
The Alabama product has the top pass-rush grade and pass-rush win rate in the class over the last two years, and both numbers rank in the 99th percentile among NFL-caliber defensive linemen since 2014. He also ranks first in the class in run-stop percentage, finishing in the 98th percentile compared to NFL-caliber interior defensive linemen. His 747-snap sample size is small, but he has the tools to become one of the league's best.
Click here for Palazzolo's full mock draft.
Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune (via the Los Angeles Times)
April 26, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Christian Darrisaw, Tackle, Virginia Tech
The Vikings need a left tackle to replace Riley Reiff, and they've been intrigued by Darrisaw, who'd give them a capable pass protector for Kirk Cousins' blind side.
Click here for the L.A. Times' full mock draft.
Arif Hasan of The Athletic (three rounds included)
April 26, 2021
TRADE: Minnesota moves back to No. 32 in a deal with Tampa Bay. The Vikings gave up No. 14 and an unspecified fourth-rounder for Nos. 32, 64, 96 and 137.
The predicted pick at No. 32: Landon Dickerson, Center, Alabama
Dickerson's injury history is fairly well-known at this point; he was the first true freshman offensive lineman to start for Florida State's home opener since 1982 but suffered an ACL injury seven games in. He missed significant time in the next two seasons due to ankle injuries before transferring to Alabama. He played the full 2019 season but missed the end of the 2020 season due to another ACL injury.
But his level of play is tremendous. For the Vikings, he would play guard. At 333 pounds, he certainly has the size to and his athletic ability hasn't been an issue either. He can play wide zone extremely well – he earned a higher PFF grade on zone plays than any other types of play and he has a borderline elite grade in every type of play.
The predicted pick at No. 64: Quinn Meinerz, Center, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Meinerz has risen up draft boards over the season and seems to be slotted into the late-second round, early-third round spot at this point in the process. That's not too dissimilar from Ali Marpet, another offensive line Senior Bowl small-school standout, now playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It might seem odd to draft two centers in the same draft, much less to do so without changing plans at center. But both of them profile extremely well at guard, positions they have experience in. In fact, both played significantly more snaps at guard than center with Meinerz only logging snaps at center at the Senior Bowl. This will allow Ezra Cleveland to play his natural position, tackle.
The predicted pick at No. 78: Jabril Cox, Linebacker, LSU
Cox might have the long-term potential to replace Anthony Barr at linebacker, whose reworked contract sees him hitting free agency after the season. While Cox's take-on skills aren't amazing, he nails nearly every other element of linebacker play, from easy athleticism in coverage with good ball skills to discipline in the run game and an ability to find the ball.
The predicted pick at No. 90: Jamar Johnson, Safety, Indiana
It was difficult to decide between super-athlete defensive lineman Milton Williams from Louisiana Tech and Jamar Johnson, a safety from Indiana. But the decision was made at safety ultimately because that position will need depth this year to go along with a replacement starter if Xavier Woods leaves in free agency next year. Not only that, safety seems to have a bigger effect on draft outcomes than defensive linemen. The Vikings still need pass-rush help, but they won't bolster it directly with this pick.
Click here for Hasan's full mock draft.
Beat writers from The Athletic
April 25, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Jaelan Phillips, Edge Rusher, Miami
The Vikings saw a few players of equal value at some positions of need here and tried to trade down to capitalize on the excess value left on the board, but there weren't any takers. Instead, they get the edge defender who might be the best pure defender in the draft, with some medical concerns holding back his evaluation. His combination of technique, athleticism and length is something the Vikings will covet, and he should pair well with Danielle Hunter.
Click here for The Athletic's full mock draft.
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News
April 26, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State
The Vikings next areas of defensive rebuild are linebacker and safety for Mike Zimmer. Parsons would give them a future leader and hyperactive, rangy playmaker on the second level at any of the positions with Anthony Barr under contract for only one more year.
Click here for Iyer's full mock draft.
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports
April 26, 2021
TRADE: Minnesota moves back to No. 20 in a deal with Chicago. The Vikings gave up No. 14 for Nos. 20 and 52 (second round), plus a 2022 fourth-round pick.
The predicted pick at No. 20: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Tackle/Guard, Southern California
The Vikings desperately need interior offensive line help. Vera-Tucker is the best one in the draft and likely the only iOL taken in the first round. The Vikings trade back with their old NFC North pals to help Kirk Cousins gain a little more trust when he turns his back to the line on play-action. (Also, of course Rick Spielman trades back.)
Click here for Jones' full mock draft.
Patrik Walker of CBS Sports
April 26, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Kwity Paye, Edge Rusher, Michigan
It's unknown what happens next for Danielle Hunter regarding his looming return in 2021, and Paye can enter the mix and either take pressure off of Hunter or become the premier pass rusher in Minnesota. There are others to consider here, but Paye feels like the right call.
Click here for Walker's full mock draft.
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports
April 26, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Kwity Paye, Edge Rusher, Michigan
This has been a popular pairing, and Paye did nothing to change our minds after a strong pro-day performance.
Click here for Wilson's full mock draft.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports
April 24, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Jaelan Phillips, Edge Rusher, Miami
Phillips is the perfect pick for the Vikings at this juncture. Complete edge rusher who meets Minnesota's physical requirements for the position.
Click here for Trapasso's full mock draft.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports
April 24, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Tackle/Guard, Southern California
Alijah Vera-Tucker has shown that he is capable of playing left tackle but his future is likely destined for the interior offensive line.
Click here for Edwards' full mock draft.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports
April 20, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Trey Lance, Quarterback, North Dakota State
They are set with Kirk Cousins for this year, but he has a huge cap hit next season. Lance will need time to sit and learn, which is why this would make sense. Could also go tackle here.
Click here for Prisco's full mock draft.
Danny Kelly of The Ringer
April 26, 2021
TRADE: Minnesota moves back to No. 16 in a deal with Arizona. The Vikings gave up No. 14 for Nos. 16 and 160 (fifth round), plus a 2022 third-round pick.
The predicted pick at No. 16: Jaelan Phillips, Edge Rusher, Miami
After swapping spots with the Cardinals, the Vikings net a couple extra picks and they still get the guy I had them targeting at the no 14 spot. Phillips comes with some medical concerns ― he retired from football briefly early in his college career because of concussion and wrist injuries ― but there's little doubt he's one of the most talented pass rushers in this class. He'd pair nicely with Danielle Hunter on Minnesota's line.
Click here for Kelly's full mock draft.
Jason Pruett of DRAFTPLEX (three rounds included)
April 14, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Christian Darrisaw, Tackle, Virginia Tech
I could see Mike Zimmer pounding the table for a pass rusher or cornerback Jaycee Horn, but the Vikings currently have a substantial hole to fill at left tackle. Christian Darrisaw isn't a perfect prospect, but his physical gifts combined with proper coaching could see him reach a very high ceiling.
The predicted pick at No. 78: Milton Williams, Defensive Tackle, Louisiana Tech
The predicted pick at No. 90: D'Wayne Eskridge, Wide Receiver, Western Michigan
Click here for Pruett's full mock draft.
Benjamin Solak of The Draft Network
April 26, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Tackle/Guard, Southern California
The Vikings are a small trade-up candidate with four fourth-round picks to their name — but with the board falling nicely across the last several picks for their purposes, they're content to sit and wait on Vera-Tucker, who I expect to go somewhere in the top 15. Minnesota's a great spot for his purposes, as he could either take over the left tackle job vacated by Reiff, or take the right guard spot and kick 2020 second-round pick Ezra Cleveland over to left tackle. Flexibility on the offensive line is key.
Vera-Tucker, for my money, is the second-best offensive lineman in this draft, and Minnesota's been hunting a solid interior line for the last few seasons. He's the cherry on top of their offensive line reload.
Click here for Solak's full mock draft.
Jaime Eisner of The Draft Network
April 23, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Tackle/Guard, Southern California
The Vikings continue to build their offensive line with the versatile Alijah Vera-Tucker. He probably has more career upside at guard, but can also play tackle and be a key piece to getting Minnesota's best five linemen out there in front of Dalvin Cook and Co.
Click here for Eisner's full mock draft.
Trevor Sikkema of The Draft Network
April 26, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Jaelan Phillips, Edge Rusher, Miami
The Vikings made an effort to get more pass rush last year with Yannick Ngakoue and it failed, but the need is still there.
Click here for Sikkema's full mock draft.
Mike Tanier of Pro Football Network
April 21, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Kwity Paye, Edge Rusher, Michigan
The Vikings defense registered just 23 sacks last season. Yannick Ngakoue, who led the team with 5.0 sacks, was actually traded to the Ravens midseason. Moreover, top pass rusher Danielle Hunter is coming back from herniated disc surgery. So the Vikings obviously need an edge rusher.
I am not as high on Kwity Paye as I am on other edge rushers in this draft class like Georgia's Azeez Ojulari, Texas' Joseph Ossai, or Pitt's Patrick Jones. However, Paye is undeniably toolsy, and the Vikings tend to make safe, down-the-middle draft decisions.
Click here for Tanier's full mock draft.
A.J. Schulte of Pro Football Network (three rounds included)
April 24, 2021
The predicted pick at No. 14: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Tackle/Guard, Southern California
The Vikings … have enough on the defensive line that I think they'll pass on [a pass rusher] in Round 1.
They could also go corner here, but the team signed Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander in free agency and got good play out of Cam Dantzler last season. With Mike Hughes still on the roster, that's plenty of guys in that corner room. As such, it's time to fill out the offensive line with the best OL left available.
Alijah Vera-Tucker has his fair share of fans in the NFL. I've spoken to many who have AVT neck and neck with Slater. Vera-Tucker and Ezra Cleveland can battle it out for the left tackle spot. Off of pure talent, AVT is the most talented of the two. He measured in under the 33-inch-arm mark the NFL thinks matters for tackles, but his tape indicates a quality NFL LT with his quickness, intelligence, and technique.
The predicted pick at No. 78: Elerson Smith, Edge Rusher, Northern Iowa
I mentioned that the Vikings could be on the market for a pass rusher as early as pick 14. While I don't believe it's a Round 1 priority, they absolutely should in the 2021 NFL Draft. Newly [re-signed] defensive end Stephen Weatherly is on a one-year deal, and he shouldn't be a full-time starting defensive end.
Zimmer said it best that the 2020 Vikings had the worst defense he's ever had. Ranking bottom-four in pressure rate and bottom-five in sacks would certainly play a part in that.
The team has athletic freak defensive end Danielle Hunter on one side. Still, they've traditionally gone for uber-athletic pass rushers with great success on ends like Hunter, Everson Griffen and Brian Robison. Zimmer has said the team wants to play faster and faster to combat offenses "these days."
It wouldn't be a surprise to see them bank on the upside of Smith, who played well at the Senior Bowl and posted a 9.72 RAS.
The predicted pick at No. 90: Hunter Long, Tight End, Boston College
The Vikings released long-time TE Kyle Rudolph this offseason, paving the way for Irv Smith to take the reigns as TE1 in Minnesota. However, that shouldn't stop them from adding another tight end.
Kirk Cousins heavily targets his tight ends and excels out of 12 personnel. Replacing Rudolph with a tight end with some downfield athletic ability to pair with Smith and the weapons Minnesota already has here in this 7-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft would be a strong investment as they go all-in on Cousins.
Hunter Long isn't a mind-blowing athlete, but he's smooth and reliable as a catcher. Long isn't the most dominating presence as a blocker, but he's steady and wins his fair share of reps in that area. However, he does his best work as a receiver, and that's what he'll be drafted on.
Long understands defenders' leverage and settles into zone coverages quite nicely. Because of his 6'5" frame and length, he presents a mismatch against linebackers and safeties.
Click here for Schulte's full mock draft.
