Vikings 2022 Mock Draft Tracker: Version 8.0

EAGAN, Minn. — The wait is nearly over. The first round of the 2022 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night from Las Vegas. Rounds 2 and 3 will be Friday evening, and the final four rounds will be held on Saturday. The Vikings currently have eight overall selections, beginning with 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. Here is the eighth and final version of our Vikings 2022 Mock Draft Tracker, which includes 30 recent predictions from across the football world. Cornerback was the most-often position projected to Minnesota, with safety and wide receiver next in line.Here’s a look at our final Vikings 2022 Mock Draft Tracker: Peter King of NBC Sports April 25, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU There are good fits, and there is Stingley in Minnesota, where he’d be coached by his old defensive coordinator at LSU, secondary coach Daronte Jones, and he’d be mentored by former Tigers corner Patrick Peterson [and reconnect with former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson]. This is a dream scenario for the Vikings. Stingley’s career fell off a cliff after a strong 2019 season, the same way the LSU program fell off a cliff in the last two years of Ed Orgeron. In ’19, Stingley battled in practice with J’Marr Chase and played high-level in games; some scouts thought he was the best corner in the country as a true freshman. Fate smiles on rookie Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on his first NFL draft choice — if indeed he can pick Stingley. “I think he was the best NFL prospect in the country as a freshman,” one GM told me, “and his workout this spring showed a lot of [Darrelle] Revis to me.” Click here for King’s full mock draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr., and Todd McShay (three rounds) April 19, 2022 Kiper’s predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU Stingley made the list of my favorite prospects, and I mentioned that Minnesota is probably his floor in Round 1. NFL teams will bet on his talent, even with back-to-back injury-plagued seasons. Kiper’s predicted pick at No. 46: Trey McBride, Tight End, Colorado State McBride is the first tight end off the board in a so-so class, and the Vikings need to replace Tyler Conklin, even with Irv Smith, Jr., returning from injury. McBride is a threat inline and from the slot. McShay’s predicted pick at No. 77: DeMarvin Leal, Defensive Tackle, Texas A&M The Vikings allowed 4.7 yards per carry last season, tied for third-worst in the NFL, so they need help up the middle. And their edge rushing could use depth. So while Leal lacks the ideal speed of an edge rusher or the ideal size of a traditional defensive tackle, Minnesota would welcome a prospect like him who can move around and affect multiple areas of the defense. Click here for Kiper and McShay’s full mock draft.Ben Goessling of The Star Tribune (via the Los Angeles Times) April 25, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU The Vikings need a No. 1 corner, for both 2022 and the future, and they’ve been interested all spring in Stingley. He missed the end of the 2021 season with a Lisfranc injury, but he likely answered some of the health questions with his performance at LSU’s pro day. He’s got the size and speed to start right away and learn from Patrick Peterson, another former LSU product. Click here for the L.A. Times’ full mock draft.Will Ragatz of Sports Illustrated April 25, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver, Alabama With the top defensive backs off the board, the Vikings take the most electrifying receiver in the draft. Adam Thielen is getting up there in age, new Head Coach Kevin O'Connell wants to spread things out, and the Vikings don't have a ton of depth at receiver. Williams is coming off an ACL injury, but his speed paired with Justin Jefferson would be scary for opposing defenses. Click here for SI’s full mock draft. NFL.com’s Rhett Lewis April 25, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington Arguably the best technician at the position in this class, McDuffie provides a fundamentally sound and safe option at cornerback after the team’s last two first-round CBs (Jeff Gladney, 2020; Mike Hughes, 2018) have not worked out. McDuffie also gets the benefit of learning alongside veteran corner Patrick Peterson, who is back for another season in Minnesota. Click here for Lewis’ full mock draft.NFL.com’s Chad Reuter (three rounds) April 22, 2022 PROJECTED TRADE: The Vikings trade back to No. 20 with the Steelers. Minnesota gets the 20th overall pick, as well as 2023 first and fourth-round selections. The predicted pick at No. 20: Andrew Booth, Jr., Cornerback, Clemson Re-signing Patrick Peterson was a wise move, but the Vikings must still add youth to the secondary. Booth's a physical player who has been unable to fully show off his athleticism during the pre-draft process due to nagging injuries. NFL offenses will see it soon enough, however. The predicted pick at No. 46: Lewis Cine, Safety, Georgia The predicted pick at No. 77: Jelani Woods, Tight End, Virginia Click here for Reuter’s full mock draft.NFL.com’s Peter Schrager April 19, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Jermaine Johnson II, Edge Rusher, Florida State Derek Stingley Jr.'s defensive coordinator at LSU, Daronte Jones, is now coaching with Minnesota (defensive backs), and I think the talented corner is the apple of the Vikings’ eye. If he’s off the board, look for Johnson, an Eden Prairie, Minnesota, native who’s viewed by most teams as the fourth pass rusher off the board. Click here for Schrager’s full mock draft.NFL.com’s Charles Davis April 18, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington With Patrick Peterson re-signing, this is a great opportunity to bring in a talented youngster who will benefit from being around a future Hall of Famer. Click here for Davis’ full mock draft. NFL.com’s Adam Rank April 14, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington You’re in a weird spot, Vikings. If you told me that you were set on a wide receiver (which isn’t a terrible idea), I wouldn’t try to talk you out of it. Like when somebody tells me Return of the Jedi is their favorite Star Wars film. I don’t agree, but I’m not upset with that selection. But it sure feels like the secondary is a huge need for you guys, so I’d take McDuffie, who might end up being a better pro than Stingley. Click here for Rank’s full mock draft.Dane Brugler of The Athletic (three rounds) April 14, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington The lack of length (29 3/4-inch arms) is the main concern with his projection, but McDuffie has the football IQ, athleticism and toughness required to be a team’s top cornerback and the debut pick of first-year General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The predicted pick at No. 46: Jalen Pitre, Safety, Baylor The predicted pick at No. 77: DeAngelo Malone, Edge Rusher, Western Kentucky Click here for Brugler’s full mock draft. Chad Graff of The Athletic (three rounds) April 18, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Drake London, Wide Receiver, Southern California By now, most people have seen the frequency with which LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. has been linked to the Vikings. And it makes sense. They have only one cornerback under contract in 2023 with starting experience (Cam Dantzler), so they need more security there. But there’s also increased buzz that Stingley Jr. could be a top-10 pick, so I’m going to pretend he and Ahmad Gardner are off the board when the Vikings are on the clock. Kevin O’Connell has said multiple times since becoming the Vikings coach that he doesn’t plan on using as much 11 personnel as he did with the Rams because the Vikings roster doesn’t warrant that. But it could with this selection. O’Connell’s premise centers around the Vikings having a better No. 2 tight end/fullback than a No. 3 wide receiver. With London, I don’t think that would be the case anymore.The predicted pick at No. 46: Cam Taylor-Britt, Cornerback, Nebraska I would love to say the Vikings draft Washington corner Kyler Gordon here, but it seems like wishful thinking that he’d fall this far. Auburn corner Roger McCreary, who has been championed by Richard Sherman, is another option for this spot and was someone Arif Hasan linked the Vikings to with this pick in his latest mock draft. But let’s instead nab Taylor-Britt, a good athlete who was an All-State high school quarterback in Alabama. He was Nebraska’s best cornerback the past two years, starting 29 of 30 games to quell some injury concerns from his high school days. He has experience at both safety and cornerback, but the Vikings would probably use him as a corner in Ed Donatell’s defensive scheme. The predicted pick at No. 77: Marquis Hayes, Guard, Oklahoma The Vikings feel a lot better about their right guard competition now than they did a month ago after signing Jesse Davis and Chris Reed to compete with Wyatt Davis for that spot (with the depth chart probably in that order as Olisaemeka Udoh likely slides back to tackle). But the Vikings could still use additional help there and ideally a long-term answer. Click here for Graff’s full mock draft. Diante Lee of The Athletic April 18, 2022The predicted pick at No. 12: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington With Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler leading the position group in Minnesota, Trent McDuffie can step into an ideal situation as the starting slot corner for the Minnesota Vikings — with the potential to move outside once Peterson’s tenure is finished. McDuffie may not have the same size as the two starting corners in Minnesota, but each of these players is comfortable with playing in press coverage, and McDuffie’s technical prowess allows defensive coordinator Ed Donatell to be flexible in his matchups and personnel groupings. Click here for Lee’s full mock draft. Austin Gayle of Pro Football Focus April 25, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver, Alabama Minnesota is one of the best landing spots for Alabama wideout Jameson Williams. With Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson still leading receiving corps, the Vikings don’t need to rush Williams back from the torn ACL he suffered in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 10, 2022. And if Williams didn’t get hurt in that game, I’m of the opinion that he’d be the consensus WR1 in the 2022 class. His speed and movement skills are a tier above any other pass-catcher entering this year’s draft, and he’s still just scratching the surface on his route-running technique having just one season with more than 20 targets under his belt. Click here for Gayle’s full mock draft.Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus April 20, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame One decade ago in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Vikings used [a] first-round selection on a Notre Dame safety — perennial Pro Bowler Harrison Smith. Here, they select another Notre Dame safety after a mini-slide out of the top-10 makes Hamilton just too good to pass up. With the rise of two-high defenses across the NFL, and with the Minnesota Vikings hiring Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell — a Vic Fangio disciple — an elite safety tandem on the backend could be very appealing. Smith will be 33 years old in 2022, and while he’s shown no signs of slowing down yet, landing his eventual successor could be the perfect long-term plan. Click here for Spielberger’s full mock draft. Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus April 18, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU Stingley is a polarizing prospect at cornerback. Injuries and lackluster play over the last two seasons have some down on his prospects, but his 2019 freshman season was one of the greatest cornerback performances PFF has seen at the college level, and it shows an elite ceiling to his play. That year, Stingley allowed just 37 percent of the passes thrown his way to be caught and recorded 15 pass breakups along with six interceptions. He would make an immediate impact on a struggling Vikings secondary. Click here for Monson’s full mock draft.Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News (three rounds) April 25, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU The Vikings brought back fading Patrick Peterson because of hurting depth but they still need to address corner to get the ideal complement to well-rounded Cameron Dantzler. They would be thrilled, if they don't trade down, to have Stingley still available with the Gardner rise. He can be what Peterson was earlier in his career coming out of LSU for the Cardinals as a natural highly competitive ballhawk with an excellent overall coverage profile. The predicted pick at No. 46: Skyy Moore, Wide Receiver, Western Michigan The Vikings need to add some more speed and slot versatility to complement Justin Jefferson and aging Adam Thielen for Kirk Cousins. This will help Kevin O'Connell take the passing game to higher big-play level. The predicted pick at No. 77: Jeremy Ruckert, Tight End, Ohio State The Vikings lost Tyler Conklin in free agency and with Ruckert, they can get some of receiving pop back to better complement returning Irv Smith, Jr., in 12 personnel. Click here for Iyer’s full mock draft.Conor Orr of The MMQB April 19, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame Some franchises luck into years of stellar QB play. Some franchises luck into generational Notre Dame safety prospects. While I could see a real analytically minded argument against taking Hamilton here, especially for the well-versed Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, I would point to the Bills and their incredible safety tandem as an indication of how a team can manipulate opposing offenses without necessarily having traditional shutdown corners. Hamilton is one of the best players in this draft … period. Click here for Orr’s full mock draft. Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports (two rounds) April 25, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington Two CBs are already off the board, but McDuffie is worthy of a top-12 selection. He was dominant on the outside at Washington but he can line up anywhere in the secondary, and having the opportunity to play alongside Patrick Peterson would be invaluable to his development. The predicted pick at No. 46: George Karlaftis, Edge Rusher, Purdue Click here for Wilson’s full mock draft.Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports (three rounds) April 21, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU Stingley to learn under Patrick Peterson for a season in Minnesota? Perfect. The predicted pick at No. 46: Boye Mafe, Edge Rusher, Minnesota The predicted pick at No. 77: Phidarian Mathis, Defensive Tackle, Alabama Click here for Trapasso’s full mock draft. Josh Edwards of CBS Sports (three rounds) April 22, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU The odds of Stingley lasting until No. 12 overall diminished after his pro day and yet there are scenarios where he is still available. It is an easy selection for first-year General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as Stingley is a potentially elite player at a premier position that also happens to be a position of need. The fact that former LSU Tiger Patrick Peterson is there to advise him is an added bonus. The predicted pick at No. 46: Drake Jackson, Edge Rusher, Southern California The predicted pick at No. 77: Bryan Cook, Safety, Cincinnati Click here for Edwards’ full mock draft.Pete Prisco of CBS Sports April 25, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Jordan Davis, Defensive Tackle, Georgia They have two good players inside in Dalvin Tomlinson and Harrison Phillips, but Davis can be a force. He's great against the run, but he can also push the pocket inside. Click here for Prisco’s full mock draft. Kyle Stackpole of CBS Sports April 18, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU Easy pick here for the Vikings. They need a No. 1 corner, and Stingley has the traits to end up as the best one in this class. Plus, he'll have a phenomenal mentor in fellow LSU alum and eight-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson. Click here for Stackpole’s full mock draft. Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports April 22, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington The only knock I have on McDuffie is his length. It's not an insignificant concern, and it affects his ceiling as an NFL player, but everything else he does is so smooth and effective that I'm willing to take the risk on him becoming a plus value player in your secondary. Click here for Fornelli’s full mock draft.Luke Easterling of DraftWire (three rounds) April 22, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame What a win for the Vikings, who land arguably the best overall prospect in the entire draft, outside of the top 10 picks. Hamilton’s slow 40-yard dash might scare some folks off, but the film proves he’s one of the most dangerous weapons in this year’s class, regardless of position. The predicted pick at No. 46: Kaiir Elam, Cornerback, Florida The predicted pick at No. 77: Matthew Butler, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee Click here for Easterling’s full mock draft. Jason Pruett of DRAFTPLEX April 24, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame Kyle Hamilton has had a roller coaster of a draft season and may now have the widest projected range of any top prospect based on the evaluation of his ability and the valuation of the position he plays. I personally feel his range is between picks 11-15 at this stage, which would put the Vikings in play as a suitor, especially with Derek Stingley, Jr., off the board. Click here for Pruett’s full mock draft.Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network (two rounds) April 23, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Devonte Wyatt, Defensive Line, Georgia I haven't forgotten Minnesota's long quest for a penetration defender in the middle. Think about Wyatt, who played all over the front in Georgia, stepping in and playing next to either Za'Darius Smith or Danielle Hunter and rushing the passer? That changes the entire dynamic of the front. The predicted pick at No. 46: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington The predicted pick at No. 77: Nick Cross, Safety, Maryland Click here for Crabbs’ full mock draft. Jamie Eisner of The Draft Network April 25, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Jermaine Johnson II, Edge Rusher, Florida State The Vikings can go a number of different ways here but adding to their front seven with a dynamic pass rusher like Jermaine Johnson II is too good of an opportunity to pass up. Click here for Eisner’s full mock draft.Bryan Perez of The Draft Network April 25, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame Arguably the best football player in this year’s class, Hamilton fills a huge need with a ton of talent for the Vikings defense. If this pick actually happens, we’ll look back three years from now and wonder how in the world Hamilton fell this far. Click here for Perez’s full mock draft. Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network (three rounds) April 24, 2022 PROJECTED TRADE: The Vikings trade back to No. 29 with the Chiefs. Minnesota gets the 29th overall pick, as well the 50th pick and a 2023 first-round selection. The predicted pick at No. 29: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington Some reports suggest that the Vikings see Trent McDuffie and Stingley as very similar prospects. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, they trade back and still manage to get McDuffie. Stingley is a more developed playmaker at the catch point, in my opinion. But McDuffie is still a very appealing prospect. He has shorter arms, but he makes up for it with excellent short-area athleticism, burst, and football IQ.The predicted pick at No. 46: Sean Rhyan, Guard, UCLA The Vikings have a promising young tackle duo and a high-upside left guard in Ezra Cleveland. But the right guard spot remains a hole. Sean Rhyan translates very well inside with his athleticism, core strength, and nasty streak. The predicted pick at No. 77: Jalen Tolbert, Wide Receiver, South Alabama A natural separator with high-end catching instincts who could be maximized as a pro. Click here for Cummings’ full mock draft. James Fragoza of Pro Football Network (two rounds) April 22, 2022 The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU After seemingly falling down boards, Derek Stingley, Jr., generated an effortless performance at LSU’s Pro Day. Now, he is moving back up and may ultimately go in the top 10. However, he could feasibly fall just outside, landing with the Vikings. Minnesota desperately needs a CB1, and who better to learn from than former LSU star Patrick Peterson? The predicted pick at No. 46: DeMarvin Leal, Defenisve Line, Texas A&M Click here for Fragoza’s full mock draft.Experience a night of entertainment — Las Vegas style — at U.S. Bank Stadium this Thursday during the Miller Lite Vikings Draft Party, which coincides with the opening night of the 2022 NFL Draft. The evening will include exclusive photo opportunities, appearances by current players and Vikings Legends, a live radio broadcast by KFAN 100.3-FM, games, food and beverages. Click here for more information on ticket options.

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