EAGAN, Minn. — The pieces are falling into place for the Vikings.
Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was hired last week, and Minnesota is currently going through interviews for its head coaching vacancy.
Both figures will play an important role in the 2022 NFL Draft, where the Vikings currently have the 12th overall pick after Minnesota went 8-9 in 2021 and finished in second place in the NFC North.
Minnesota has drafted at No. 12 overall twice in team history, selecting quarterback Christian Ponder in 2011 and running back (and Vikings Ring of Honor member) Chuck Foreman back in 1973.
The Vikings currently have eight overall picks.
The 2022 NFL Draft is slated to be held from April 28-30. The first round will be on April 28, followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on April 29 and the final four rounds on April 30.
Here is the second version of our Vikings 2022 Mock Draft Tracker, which includes 14 recent predictions from across the football world.
Most experts project Minnesota to add to the defensive side of the ball, as a dozen mock drafts went with a defensive player. But the two who went with an offensive player did so at the same position — quarterback.
Here's a look at our second Vikings 2022 Mock Draft Tracker:
ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr.
Jan. 19, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Ahmad Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
Since 2013, the Vikings have drafted four cornerbacks in Round 1 ... and not a single one of them is still on the roster. Coach Mike Zimmer and General Manager Rick Spielman are out, and the new regime will inherit a good, not great, roster with a couple of significant voids, particularly at corner. Veteran Patrick Peterson was signed to a one-year deal last offseason, so he's a free agent, and I'm not sold that Cameron Dantzler is a quality starter.
They should jump at the chance to take Gardner, a lockdown corner who presented problems for opposing offensive coordinators in 2021. He was targeted just 31 times as the nearest defender in coverage, and he allowed only eight catches for 60 yards. With Kirk Cousins not locked in long term, I thought about a quarterback here, but Gardner is too good to pass up for a team in glaring need.
Click here for Kiper's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah
Jan. 21, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
Stingley is a wild card in this draft class. If you watched him solely as a freshman, you think he is a lock to go top five. If you watched him over the last two seasons, though, you probably think he's a borderline first-rounder. He has the tools to be successful at the next level, but I have concerns about his inconsistent effort and play strength.
Click here for Jeremiah's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks
Jan. 25, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: George Karlaftis, Edge Rusher, Purdue
The energetic pass rusher could step in immediately to spark a front line that needs another QB hunter.
Click here for Brooks' full mock draft.
Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus
Jan. 31, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Nakobe Dean, Linebacker, Georgia
The Vikings are entering a new era after Spielman and Zimmer were both fired following the 2021 season. The once-great defense has eroded in recent years and could use a real injection of youth and athleticism.
Dean ticks those boxes, as he could slot next to Eric Kendricks and form a formidable linebacker duo in a league that's struggling for linebacker play. Kendricks would also smooth Dean's transition, allowing the Vikings to limit what's asked of him initially.
Click here for Monson's full mock draft.
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus
Jan. 24, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
Stingley this low in the mock draft might be a surprise, but I don't think it's that much of a stretch. He could certainly still be a top-10 pick — had he been eligible to declare after his true freshman season in 2019, he might have been a top-three pick — but he hasn't quite replicated his stellar start to his career. The LSU product missed a handful of games due to injury, most notably only playing three games this past season.
The talent is absolutely still there, but I think a top-15 projection is more realistic than top-five. The Vikings are scheduled to be pretty desperate for cornerback help, with Patrick Peterson … and Mackensie Alexander all pending free agents. Minnesota would jump all over a player of his caliber.
Click here for Sikkema's full mock draft.
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News
Feb. 01, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, Utah
The Vikings, for whoever their next head coach is, will need to address the second level with aging, oft-injured, Anthony Barr heading into free agency along with Nick Vigil. Lloyd is a strong, rangy athlete who stands out making plays. He has the smarts and instincts for their zone scheme.
Click here for Iyer's full mock draft.
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports
Feb. 01, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
Questions remain about the QB position and the depth at wide receiver, but if Stingley is on the board here the Vikings would be hard-pressed to pass him up. The team already parted ways with 2020 first-rounder Jeff Gladney, and Patrick Peterson was on a one-year deal.
Click here for Wilson's full mock draft.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports
Jan. 29, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Kaiir Elam, Cornerback, Florida
Elam is a long, productive cornerback from the SEC, and the Vikings have to address cornerback early.
Click here for Trapasso's full mock draft.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports
Jan. 29, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Ahmad Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
New General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has his work cut out for him managing a roster that has some expensive veterans and several needs. Locking down a man coverage cornerback would be a big flex for the first-time GM considering that has evaded the franchise since the former half of Xavier Rhodes' career. Gardner is consistent, competitive and confident.
Click here for Edwards' full mock draft.
Keith Sanchez of The Draft Network
Jan. 31, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Jordan Davis, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
Uncharacteristically, the Minnesota Vikings had a bad rushing defense last year. This year, I believe they get younger and draft one of the most physically imposing players, Jordan Davis. Davis can eat up double teams and is a nightmare for offensive linemen. He will serve as the foundational piece of a Vikings defense that is in the midst of an overhaul.
Click here for Sanchez's full mock draft.
Bryan Perez of The Draft Network
Jan. 26, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Andrew Booth, Jr., Cornerback, Clemson
The Vikings long and arduous quest to find a quality starting cornerback continues into the 2022 offseason and they'll get another chance to fix the problem with Booth, Jr., who's on track to end draft season as CB1. A versatile defender who offers plus coverage skills and toughness against the run, Booth, Jr., is a day-one starter and would instantly be one of the Vikings most talented defenders.
Click here for Perez's full mock draft.
Drae Harris of Pro Football Network
Jan. 19, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: DeMarvin Leal, Defensive Tackle, Texas A&M
Click here for Harris' full mock draft.
James Fragoza of Pro Football Network
Jan. 31, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Sam Howell, Quarterback, North Carolina
Mike Zimmer is out as the Vikings head coach, and a new general manager is in place. Does that mean Kirk Cousins is on his way out the door as well? It is possible, and honestly, it would be the right move. Having an expensive and aging QB does no good for a retooling team. Thus, the new regime's first action is to find Cousins' successor.
Sam Howell entered the preseason in a battle for the QB1 mantle in all of college football with now-South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler. What a time that was. Regardless, what Howell was able to do with a neutered supporting cast this season (outside of Josh Downs) was exceptional.
Click here for Fragoza's full mock draft.
View photos of new Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah during his introductory press conference with the media on Jan. 27 at the TCO Performance Center.
Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network
Jan. 28, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Carson Strong, Quarterback, Nevada
The Vikings are officially rebuilding under new General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. And with each passing day, it seems more and more likely that Kirk Cousins is traded. He's a good quarterback, but he no longer fits the Vikings' contention window.
Minnesota should cut their losses and hit the restart button with a rookie QB. Carson Strong, with his rocket arm, quick processing, and pocket poise, has the tools to be an upgrade in structure — as long as his knee checks out at the combine.
Click here for Cummings' full mock draft.
