EAGAN, Minn. — Welcome to mock draft season.
We're less than three months away from the 2020 NFL Draft, as preparations for 30 of 32 NFL teams have shifted into full swing.
The Vikings currently hold the 25th overall pick after Minnesota went 10-6 and won a Wild Card playoff game over New Orleans before falling in the Divisional round.
If the Vikings stay in their current draft spot, it will be the seventh time for the franchise to select from the 25th overall spot.
Here is the first version of our Vikings 2020 Mock Draft Tracker, which is a culmination of 16 recent predictions from across the football world.
Experts seem to be split among three positions, as 15 of the 16 projections went with an offensive lineman, defensive lineman or cornerback.
Here's a look at our first Vikings 2020 Mock Draft Tracker:
ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr.
Jan. 24, 2020
The predicted first-round pick: Josh Jones, T, Houston
A four-year starter for the Cougars, Jones has had a great week at the Senior Bowl, and I feel good about making him the fifth offensive tackle of this first round. Minnesota got a solid season out of Brian O'Neill at right tackle, but left tackle Riley Reiff isn't the long-term answer. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Jones could be. You also could keep an eye on a cornerback here, as there could be some upheaval with Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander hitting free agency and Xavier Rhodes, who struggled in 2019, a possible cap casualty. And we already know Mike Zimmer loves coaching up talented cornerbacks.
Click here for Kiper's full mock draft.
ESPN's Todd McShay
Dec. 16, 2019
The predicted first-round pick: Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Hall's season was cut short by an ankle injury, but he has speed and length and is particularly strong in zone looks. Xavier Rhodes has struggled in coverage this season, and both Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander will be free agents in the spring. And coach Mike Zimmer loves his corners: Minnesota has drafted four in the first or second round since 2013.
Click here for McShay's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah
Jan. 21, 2020
The predicted pick: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
I have Kinlaw rated very high, and this would be too much value to pass up at this spot. He is a physical freak.
Click here for Jeremiah's full mock draft.
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks
Jan. 27, 2020
The predicted pick: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Despite questions about his tackling ability, Delpit would upgrade the speed and athleticism in the Vikings' secondary.
Click here for Brooks' full mock draft.
Kevin Hanson of Sports Illustrated
Jan. 21, 2020
The predicted pick: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
Both Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander are scheduled to become free agents and the play of Xavier Rhodes has regressed significantly. While he isn't the most reliable tackler, Henderson's size (6' 1", 202 pounds) and elite athleticism will serve him well as a press-man corner at the next level. Even though he had no interceptions in 2019, Henderson had six interceptions over the previous two years combined.
Click here for Hanson's full mock draft.
Arif Hasan of The Athletic
Jan. 26, 2020
The predicted first-round pick: Josh Jones, T/G, Houston
I'm not particularly concerned about where the Vikings plan to play Jones if they select him, as both he and Reiff have versatility to play guard, and it's worth noting that the Senior Bowl asked Jones to play on the inside, where he did well.
Jones only gave up four pressures all year, per Pro Football Focus, and had the highest win rate in Senior Bowl practices according to the tracking firm — despite playing on the left, right, inside and on the edge. Jones has demonstrated versatility, quickness and grip strength, as well as a natural instinct to mirror other rushers. He also demonstrated sustained athleticism this week, with longer sustained "run speed" — defined as 8.2 MPH or faster by Zebra Technologies — than any other offensive lineman.
The predicted second-round pick: Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
He's a good athlete with excellent quickness and strength, even if he doesn't have top-end long speed. His quickness pairs well with his high level of technical detail, with efficient footwork and great command of the press coverage skill set. He's patient and powerful in press and does a good job landing punches without losing leverage as a cover player. Not only that, his excellent recovery capability allows him to get away with a little more at the line of scrimmage.
Click here for Hasan's full mock draft.
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports
Jan. 26, 2020
The predicted pick: Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
Linval Joseph is the Vikings' best defensive [tackle], but the unit ranked 30th against the run, according to Football Outsiders. Gallimore is a fire plug with a non-stop runner who excels against both the run and the pass.
Click here for Wilson's full mock draft.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports
Jan. 23, 2020
The predicted pick: Austin Jackson, T, USC
Jackson needs to add strength but has physical traits of a first-round left tackle.
Click here for Trapasso's full mock draft.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports
Jan. 23, 2020
The predicted pick: Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
Gallimore is a really special player. The first round is actually pretty deep and that allows a player like Gallimore to slip into the later portion. He is very active, capable of applying some pressure up the middle.
Click here for Edwards' full mock draft.
Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus
Jan. 14, 2020
The predicted pick: Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri
[Minnesota was] gashed by the 49ers' ground attack in the playoffs. Elliott is an easy fit there, as he earned 90-plus grades in run defense and as a pass-rusher en route to the highest grade of any interior defender in college football.
Click here for Renner's full mock draft.
Jason McIntyre of FOX Sports
Jan. 24, 2020
The predicted pick: Mekhi Becton, T, Louisville
With so many talented offensive linemen going back to school — Creed Humphrey, Alex Leatherwood, Alaric Jackson and Walker Little, just to name a few — Becton makes his debut in the mock draft.
There are needs on an aging Vikings defense with three starters 31 or older, but protecting Kirk Cousins makes more sense right now.
Click here for McIntyre's full mock draft.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report
Jan. 26, 2020
The predicted pick: Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Click here for Knox's full mock draft.
Joe Tansey of Bleacher Report
Jan. 27, 2020
The predicted pick: Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
Click here for Tansey's full mock draft.
Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports
Jan. 15, 2020
The predicted pick: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
The Vikings have a few big holes to fill, including on the offensive line, but Henderson's length and press-man skills would fit what Mike Zimmer seeks in a corner. Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has raved about Henderson, calling him the best cornerback he has ever coached, even if his tackling can be inconsistent.
Click here for Edholm's full mock draft.
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News
Jan. 22, 2020
The predicted pick: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
Xavier Rhodes has faded fast as a big cover man, and Trae Waynes is a pending free agent. Dantzler (6-2, 185 pounds) has nice size and uses his hands and hips well to be disruptive against receivers downfield. He's at his best operating in zone. He can be deployed well in Mike Zimmer's defense.
Click here for Iyer's full mock draft.
Joe Marino of The Draft Network
Jan. 27, 2020
The predicted pick: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The Minnesota Vikings love drafting cornerbacks in the first round and it makes sense for it to happen again. With Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander on expiring contracts, Xavier Rhodes showing signs of decline and the injury history of the others on the roster, Minnesota is in the market for help. Trevon Diggs is long, rangy and physical with tremendous ball skills. He would add much-needed youth to the Vikings cornerback room that could be rebuilt this offseason.
Click here for Marino's full mock draft.
