EAGAN, Minn. — The month of April is almost here, and the 2022 NFL Draft is just around the corner.
The Vikings currently have the 12th overall pick, a spot Minnesota has drafted from 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 in the 2022 NFL Draft, which 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 sixth version of our Vikings 2022 Mock Draft Tracker, which includes 18 recent predictions from across the football world.
A dozen experts projected a cornerback to Minnesota, and all but one analyst predicted a defensive player to the Vikings.
The Vikings were also involved in a hypothetical trade with the Steelers.
Here's a look at our sixth Vikings 2022 Mock Draft Tracker:
ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr.
March 22, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington
The Vikings have used first-round picks on four cornerbacks since 2013. Can you name them all? (OK, fine: They are Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes and Jeff Gladney.) None of them are on their roster now, and the guys who drafted them — Coach Mike Zimmer [Waynes, Hughes and Gladney] and General Manager Rick Spielman — are gone, too. This is still a need position for new General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Coach Kevin O'Connell.
McDuffie is the real deal; the stat you'll see most often is that he didn't allow a single touchdown in coverage over the past two seasons, and he goes all out on every play. Expect him to be a Day 1 starter.
Click here for Kiper's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah
March 22, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Jordan Davis, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
Davis is a dominant run defender with plenty of untapped potential as a pass rusher. (You saw what the 6-foot-6, 341-pounder did at the NFL Scouting Combine, right?)
Click here for Jeremiah's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Maurice Jones-Drew
March 24, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
New General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah takes Stingley with his first draft pick in an effort to find the team's new CB1. The LSU product comes with questions, but he has the natural talent to end the Vikings multi-year search for a top-tier cover man.
Click here for Jones-Drew's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Chad Reuter (four rounds)
March 25, 2022
PROJECTED TRADE: The Vikings trade back to No. 20 with the Steelers, adding a 2023 first-round pick and exchanging Day 3 selections.
The predicted pick at No. 20: Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, Utah
Lloyd reminds me of a more slight version of Anthony Barr, a longtime Vikings star who is currently a free agent. Lloyd can play outside or inside and became quite adept at rushing the passer when given the chance last fall.
The predicted pick at No. 44: Greg Dulcich, Tight End, UCLA
The predicted pick at No. 77: Cam Taylor-Britt, Cornerback, Nebraska
(The Vikings do not currently have a fourth-round pick).
Click here for Reuter's full mock draft.
Chad Graff of The Athletic
March 28, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
The idea of trading up for Gardner was enticing, and if he slipped a few more picks perhaps it would have been more manageable. Instead, the Vikings land the second-best cornerback in the draft, filling a major need. The new regime of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell has re-made the front seven of the defense, but the secondary remains a significant issue. The Vikings only have one outside cornerback on the roster with meaningful starting experience, and that's Cam Dantzler, who has started 17 games in two years and was occasionally benched under previous Head Coach Mike Zimmer. So Stingley has a chance to start right away.
Dane Brugler's Analysis: Adofo-Mensah was in Cleveland at this time last year when the Browns drafted a sometimes injured but really talented cornerback in the first round. And he does the same with his first draft pick as an NFL general manager in this scenario. Greg Newsome looks like a future Pro Bowler, and Stingley also has that ability as long as he stays on the field. In an ideal world, the Vikings bring back Patrick Peterson for another season to serve as a mentor to his fellow LSU alum.
Click here for The Athletic's full mock draft.
Austin Gayle of Pro Football Focus
March 28, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
Stingley would have been a No. 1 overall pick candidate if he was draft-eligible after his true freshman season in 2019. Injuries derailed a lot of his progress since leading all FBS cornerbacks in PFF grade that season, but it's very likely we'll never see as successful a campaign from any true freshman cornerback again. He allowed just 608 yards and five touchdowns across 589 coverage snaps while facing a slate of multiple NFL talents at receiver in DeVonta Smith, CeeDee Lamb, Van Jefferson and more. He played just 289 injury-plagued coverage snaps in the two seasons following his famed 2019.
Even though Minnesota signed former Green Bay Packers cornerback Chandon Sullivan in free agency, the team's cornerbacks room is still in desperate need of upgrades. Sullivan, Kris Boyd and Cameron Dantzler project as the team's top three cornerbacks right now.
Click here for Gayle's full mock draft.
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News
March 25, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa
The Vikings must accept that Garrett Bradbury, who was benched last season, is a big bust at center. After hitting on left tackle Christian Darrisaw in last year's first round, Linderbaum makes good sense for new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and offensive-minded Head Coach Kevin O'Connell. Linderbaum can dominate run blocking for Dalvin Cook and also connect well snapping to Kirk Cousins as a young leader of the offensive line.
Click here for Iyer's full mock draft.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports
March 24, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
Minnesota signed Za'Darius Smith to pair with Danielle Hunter so that opens the door for them to address another critical defensive position. Stingley was once regarded as an eventual top three overall selection but injuries and COVID jarred that plan. The Vikings are taking a bit of a risk but, who isn't? Stingley could be the lockdown man coverage cornerback that they have been chasing for years.
Click here for Edwards' full mock draft.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports
March 23, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
They need to get help on the corner, especially since they don't know if Patrick Peterson is coming back. Even if he does, Stingley has too much talent to pass up.
Click here for Prisco's full mock draft.
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports (three rounds)
March 28, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington
Even though McDuffie balled out on the outside for the Huskies this season, we get Tyrann Matthieu vibes when we watch him. He has the athleticism to line up anywhere — and he told us at the combine that he can do just that at the next level. The Vikings spent some money in free agency to beef up the front seven but there are still some holes to fill in the secondary. McDuffie is one of the best cornerbacks in this class.
Click here for Wilson's full mock draft.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports
March 23, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Jermaine Johnson II, Edge Rusher, Florida State
Johnson has had a fine pre-draft process and was super-productive at Florida State in 2021. The Vikings give Danielle Hunter a running mate on the outside.
Click here for Trapasso's full mock draft.
Kyle Stackpole of CBS Sports
March 19, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Ahmad Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
The Vikings should be thrilled if they can grab Gardner here. He'd immediately provide Minnesota with a rock solid corner on the outside.
Click here for Stackpole's full mock draft.
Jason Pruett of DRAFTPLEX
March 24, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
Derek Stingley, Jr., exploded onto the scene with his stellar play as a freshman and was projected to be one of the highest-drafted cornerbacks in recent memory once he was eligible. But, it's been a long, winding road over the past two years that expects to come to an end later in the first round than initially anticipated. With vacancies in the secondary, the Vikings are among the potential investors who could bank on him returning to form.
Click here for Pruett's full mock draft.
Luke Easterling of DraftWire
March 28, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
This is a great scenario for the Vikings, who get a fantastic blend of need and value with this pick. Stingley's 2019 film looked like a top-five lock, but injuries and inconsistency over the past two years have left more questions than answers. Still, his upside is through the roof if he can stay healthy, making him a potential steal here.
Click here for Easterling's full mock draft.
Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire
March 23, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
Click here for Farrar's full mock draft.
Brentley Weissman of The Draft Network
March 28, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Jermaine Johnson II, Edge Rusher, Florida State
Minnesota has always been at its best when they have had a defensive line that is disruptive and stout. While they have Danielle Hunter, who is an excellent player, they could certainly use more help when it comes to getting to the quarterback.
Jermaine Johnson is one of the best players in this class and is actually a steal at this point. He is a loose-limbed, athletic edge rusher who can win in a variety of ways.
Click here for Weissman's full mock draft.
Damian Parson of The Draft Network
March 23, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU
Kirk Cousins remaining in the Twin Cities means they will be competitive. Offense is not an issue for the Vikings, but their defense needs reinforcements. Derek Stingley, Jr., is an elite-level athlete. His 2019 tape feels like forever ago, but he was healthy and the best cornerback in college football. Bank on athleticism and traits. If he remains healthy, the Vikings have an unquestioned CB1.
Click here for Parson's full mock draft.
Cam Mellor of Pro Football Network
March 21, 2022
The predicted pick at No. 12: Kaiir Elam, Cornerback, Florida
There are plenty of cornerback options available here for the Minnesota Vikings. Kaiir Elam is the selection as the former Florida Gator has a ton of upside with his coverage versatility. He can play multiple schemes and has a knack for finding the ball; he possesses tremendous athleticism, both at the catch point and in open space.
Click here for Mellor's full mock draft.
