EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings are inching toward the 2023 NFL Draft and capping the college all-star game circuit this week at the Reese's Senior Bowl.
Minnesota currently has the 24th pick, but it will be the 23rd overall selection due to Miami having to forfeit its first-round pick this year and a third-rounder in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Dolphins engaged in "impermissible communications" with Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady in 2019-20 while he was with New England and after the 2021 season while he was with the Buccaneers.
The Vikings have drafted at No. 23 overall four times in franchise history, most recently selecting left tackle Christian Darrisaw in 2021. Minnesota has also drafted wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (2016), defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (2013) and receiver Lance Rentzel (1965).
Minnesota currently has four overall picks in this year's draft.
The 2023 NFL Draft will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27-29. The first round will be on April 27 while the second and third rounds will be on April 28. The final four rounds will conclude this year's draft on April 29.
Here is the second version of our Vikings 2023 Mock Draft Tracker, which features 18 recent predictions from around the world of football.
Cornerback was most popular position, as it was chosen 11 times, followed by wide receiver three times. Four total positions were represented by draft experts.
Take a look at our second Vikings 2023 Mock Draft Tracker:
Mel Kiper, Jr., of ESPN
Jan. 25, 2023
The predicted pick: Emmanuel Forbes, Cornerback, Mississippi State
Kiper's take: "Veteran Patrick Peterson was the Vikings top corner this season, but he's a free agent, and even if the team brings him back, it should start thinking about the future in the secondary. Safety Lewis Cine, Minnesota's first-rounder last April, played just two defensive snaps before breaking his left leg and missing the rest of the season. He should make a full recovery, but can the Vikings improve on the outside, too? Rookie second-round pick Andrew Booth, Jr., played in just six games due to injury, and he's not a lock to start. Forbes was an interception magnet for the Bulldogs; he had 14 over three seasons, including six in 2022. He gave up a few big plays, but he has tremendous potential as a cover corner."
Click here for Kiper's full mock draft.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com
Jan. 20, 2023
The predicted pick: Tyrique Stevenson, Cornerback, Miami
Jeremiah's take: "Stevenson has some flaws, but he's big (6-foot-0, 214 pounds), fast and tough. He would be a significant addition to a porous Vikings secondary."
Click here for Jeremiah's full mock draft.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com
Jan. 23, 2023
The predicted pick: Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina
Brooks' take: "After parting ways with defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, the Vikings need to make some upgrades on that side of the ball, particularly in the secondary."
Click here for Brooks' full mock draft.
Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News
Jan. 30, 2023
The predicted pick: Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon
Iyer's take: "The Vikings need to give Cam Dantzler, Sr., better help on the back end with Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan heading into free agency. Gonzalez also offers good size and can get physical with his agile coverage."
Click here for Iyer's full mock draft.
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports
Jan. 30, 2023
The predicted pick: BJ Ojulari, Edge Rusher, LSU
Wilson's take: "Ojulari, whose brother played at Georgia and plays for the Giants, had a solid campaign for the Tigers, and he has many of the same explosive qualities that made his brother so hard to block for the Bulldogs. Ojulari could end up being better than Azeez, and that's saying something."
Click here for Wilson's full mock draft.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports
Jan. 25, 2023
The predicted pick: Myles Murphy, Defensive Line, Clemson
Trapasso's take: "Murphy has an NFL body and stars against the run. He can learn the intricacies of rushing the passer from Za'Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter early in his NFL career."
Click here for Trapasso's full mock draft.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports
Jan. 27, 2023
The predicted pick: Lukas Van Ness, Edge Rusher, Iowa
Edwards' take: "Would Minnesota prefer a more explosive edge rusher like Nolan Smith or a better run defender like Lukas Van Ness? Minnesota elects to pick Van Ness to learn from Za'Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter."
Click here for Edwards' full mock draft.
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic
Jan. 30, 2023
The predicted pick: Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina
Baumgardner's take: "This would be a steal for Minnesota down here, to be frank. Cam Smith is a long and physical corner, and he would absolutely fill a need on the back end for Minnesota. Even if Smith's gone, though, this feels like a good place for the Vikings to find CB value, especially if guys start falling."
Click here for Baumgardner's full mock draft.
Marcus Mosher of Pro Football Focus
Jan. 26, 2023
The predicted pick: Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland
Mosher's take: "The Vikings got unbelievable play from Patrick Peterson this year, but they can't count on that going forward, considering he'll turn 33 this offseason. Banks is another long, physical cornerback who could be a major value in the second half of Round 1 after missing most of the 2022 season. If he had stayed healthy, he could have easily been a top 10 pick given his ability to play sticky man-to-man coverage."
Click here for Mosher's full mock draft.
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus
Jan. 30, 2023
The predicted pick: Siaki Ika, Defensive Tackle, Baylor
Sikkema's take: "Cornerback could certainly be an option here for the Vikings, who just need to get better on defense in every facet. But with some big investments in the secondary last draft, perhaps they let those picks pan out a bit more and opt for a player like Ika, who, at 6-foot-4 and 355 pounds, boasts unique burst and pass-rush ability for a nose tackle."
Click here for Sikkema's full mock draft.
Damian Parson of The Draft Network
Jan. 25, 2023
The predicted pick: Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina
Parson's take: "The Vikings had a successful season under first-year Head Coach Kevin O'Connell, but their defense let them down all year — they were one of the worst units in the league. Inject Cam Smith into this secondary and thrive. Smith is a twitchy mover that plays with legitimate swag and toughness — all things the Vikings defense needs."
Click here for Parson's full mock draft.
Joe Marino of The Draft Network
Jan. 30, 2023
The predicted pick: Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina
Marino's take: "The Minnesota Vikings stacked a bunch of wins together in 2022 with little help from their defense, which must be upgraded this offseason. Cam Smith is a versatile corner that can win in zone or man with exciting ball skills, physicality, and athleticism to be a lock-down performer in the NFL."
Click here for Marino's full mock draft.
Joe Broback of Pro Football Network
Jan. 26, 2023
The predicted pick: Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC
Broback's take: "Addison likely won't fall this far, but teams have other needs that aren't wide receiver, so it's not unlikely, either. Minnesota could use this pick on a corner, but there's plenty of depth where they could wait and not pass on this kind of talent.
Justin Jefferson needs help, plain and simple. K.J. Osborn played well late in the year, but might not be the guy. Adam Thielen turns 33 in August, so the Vikings need a younger player to help. If Addison, an elite separator and route runner, is available with this pick, Minnesota shouldn't hesitate to draft him."
Click here for Broback's full mock draft.
James Fragoza of Pro Football Network
Jan. 21, 2023
The predicted pick: Joey Porter, Jr., Cornerback, Penn State
Fragoza's take: "The Vikings practically lived in Cover 6 this year, rarely calling man or "middle field closed" looks. Joey Porter, Jr., is the size/speed/length athlete Minnesota needs on the outside to fundamentally change their defensive philosophy."
Click here for Fragoza's full mock draft.
Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network
Jan. 24, 2023
The predicted pick: Joey Porter, Jr., Cornerback, Penn State
Cummings' take: "Duke Shelley is good. And Andrew Booth, Jr., has immense upside if he can stay healthy. But the Vikings current CB situation does not preclude them from taking a top-end talent like Joey Porter, Jr. Porter has the length, fluidity, and physicality to dominate on the boundary."
Click here for Cummings' full mock draft.
Oliver Hodgkinson of Pro Football Network
Jan. 28, 2023
The predicted pick: Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC
Hodgkinson's take: "Yes, the Minnesota Vikings have Justin Jefferson. However, JJettas alone isn't enough. He needs a stablemate. With his dynamic speed threat, excellent route-running capability, and a solid, reliable pair of hands, Addison gives the Vikings a dangerous duo that would dominate any defense that they face."
Click here for Hodgkinson's full mock draft.
Luke Easterling of Draft Wire
Jan. 26, 2023
The predicted pick: Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia
Easterling's take: "Minnesota's terrible defense eventually caught up with them in the postseason, sending them to an early exit. They need to address it at just about every level this offseason, and the best value in this scenario comes at corner. Ringo's film was a roller coaster this season, but his physical traits give him tons of potential."
Click here for Easterling's full mock draft.
Natalie Miller of Draft Wire
Jan. 21, 2023
The predicted pick: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Miller's take: "The Vikings found fireworks this season under new Head Coach Kevin O'Connell in what turned out to be Kirk Cousins' best year yet. So, it makes sense to build upon your strengths, and add a running mate for your All-Pro wide receiver in Justin Jefferson.
Smith-Njigba missed the majority of this season with injuries, but his 2021 campaign was astonishing, and should project him well to the NFL. While he's more of an inside receiver, he has the ability to play outside, as well, and would create a dangerous trio in Minnesota."
Click here for Miller's full mock draft.
