The 2023 NFL Draft is suddenly less than a week away and approaching quickly. Mock drafts continue to flood sports media channels with predictions of where each top prospect will land. The Minnesota Vikings own the 23rd pick in this year’s draft and have plenty of options concerning the asset. While the pick will not be good enough to select one of the top-tier talents in this year’s pool of prospects, it should be good enough positioning to draft a starter in one of the team’s areas of need. Conversely, due to the team’s lack of draft capital, the Vikings might trade the pick to a team that wants to move up in the draft. Let’s explore some possibilities.
Drafting a Prospect
Positionally, the Vikings should be looking to fill holes at cornerback, wide receiver, and linebacker. This year’s draft talent is rich with cornerbacks and has a few talented wide receivers that the Vikings could target with the 23rd pick. Ideally, a top cornerback would fall. If Devon Witherspoon, Christian Gonzalez, or Joey Porter Jr. is available to the Vikings at 23, it will be a no-brainer for the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. However, in the likely scenario that the three top corners are taken, the Vikings could turn to one of the next four cornerbacks in Emmanuel Forbes, Kelee Ringo, Cam Smith, or Deonte Banks. Plenty of mock drafts have one or two of these cornerbacks going in the first round. The only problem is that one or more of them will likely be available in the second round. In that case, the Vikings could look at wide receiver prospects.
The wide receiver talent in this draft is rather deep as well. TCU’s Quentin Johnston and Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba headline the class and project to go somewhere in the top 15 picks, out of the Vikings’ reach. The Vikings could have their pick of Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison, or Jalin Hyatt to bring in as Justin Jefferson’s running mate. While a rookie receiver could elevate the Vikings’ already lethal offense, filling holes on the defensive side of the ball will likely be the best route to contention in 2023.
If Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is dead-set on picking a prospect with the 23rd pick and one of the top cornerbacks or receivers is unavailable, he could go for one of the “best available” prospects. A few possible options that could be available include Nolan Smith, Luke Van Ness, and Brian Branch. Smith and Van Ness could be productive edge rushers to replace Za’Darius Smith if he ends up leaving as he has indicated he might. Brian Branch could be a serviceable replacement for Harrison Smith at free safety. The idea of the Vikings selecting a quarterback has been floated by the media several times, however, with Hendon Hooker projecting to be the top quarterback available at 23, this would be a huge reach. Even if Will Levis falls, the Vikings should not be interested since other needs are more pressing, and reaching for a quarterback is often a huge draft mistake that teams make. Drafting anybody other than a quarterback or running back will go a long way toward improving this roster.
Trading Down
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has likely already identified some prospects that he feels will be good fits within the organization. The real question is where he will be able to get them without reaching. If Adofo-Mensah’s top prospects are gone when the Vikings are on the clock, do not be surprised if the team trades down in the draft. With the depth previously mentioned at corner and receiver, the Vikings have the opportunity to trade down, gain draft capital, and still pick up a top prospect at a key position. Last year, Adofo-Mensah traded down in the first round and gained plenty of capital. His metrics and numbers that he has used to make a name for himself will likely lead him to trade down in this year’s draft. Especially if the Vikings can take advantage of quarterback-needy teams and the recent surge of Hendon Hooker’s draft stock, a trade on the first night of the draft could be quite fruitful for the Vikings.
The Vikings have a ton of eligible routes to explore in this year’s draft. The best-case scenario would be taking a top corner with the 23rd pick. However, if there is not one available, trading for draft capital will be the next best option. Trading into the end of the first round or the beginning of the second round should let the Vikings select a second-tier corner or receiver. Even with all the mock drafts and predictions, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will find a way to surprise Vikings fans on April 27th. So stay on the edge of your seats and pray that Hendon Hooker does not put on a Vikings hat in Kansas City.
