• Round 1, Pick 21: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU — The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner‘s season has been nothing short of sensational. He has earned a 91.9 passing grade with 29 big-time throws and 35 completions of 20 yards or more. That's impressive by anyone's standards, but the LSU signal-caller also boasts 1,200 rushing yards and a 91.8 rushing grade.
• Round 2, Pick 53: Dl Brandon Dorlus, Oregon —The versatile 6-foot-3, 290-pounder has not posted a PFF grade below 72.0 in his three years as a starter. As his weight suggests, he’s a more heavy-handed defensive end/defensive tackle, but he also possesses a good first step.
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The Minnesota Vikings are still clawing for a playoff spot, but with quarterback Kirk Cousins out for the season, their postseason hopes are still way up in the air.
Still, Minnesota has played much better than anticipated this year, and that should give fans optimism about what a good offseason can do ahead of 2024.
Here’s a five-round Minnesota Vikings mock draft to explore what those offseason additions could be.
Round 1, Pick 21: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
If we’re being honest, even hoping for Daniels to be available at No. 21 in the draft feels unrealistic at this point. However, the pick stands because Daniels should be an explored option for the Vikings, no matter where they need to get to draft him.
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner‘s season has been nothing short of sensational. He has earned a 91.9 passing grade with 29 big-time throws and 35 completions of 20 yards or more. That's impressive by anyone's standards, but the LSU signal-caller also boasts 1,200 rushing yards and a 91.8 rushing grade.
If impending free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins leaves Minnesota this offseason, Daniels teaming up with coach Kevin O’Connell is something I want to see.
Round 2, Pick 53: Dl Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
Minnesota needs to add some youth along the defensive line, and Dorlus is a good Day 2 option for them to do just that.
The versatile 6-foot-3, 290-pounder has not posted a PFF grade below 72.0 in his three years as a starter. As his weight suggests, he’s a more heavy-handed defensive end/defensive tackle, but he also possesses a good first step. He’s played mostly as a left and right defensive tackle but also has plenty of snaps as a defensive end.
Round 4, Pick 121: OL Sataoa Laumea, Utah
Laumea has multiple years of starting experience at both right tackle and guard. He played tackle in 2023, but his home at the next level could be at guard, though he can slide out to tackle in a pinch.
That versatility would be key for the Vikings, especially if he can earn a starting spot inside. He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 311 pounds and moves well. He fires off the ball like a true athlete and brings a ton of fire to the position, converting speed to power and constantly finishing defenders out of the play when the situation allows it.
Round 5, Pick 158: RB Dylan Laube, New Hampshire
With Dalvin Cook gone and Alexander Mattison playing on a budget deal, I expect Minnesota to grab a running back at some point this draft. And I think the team will go after one who can be a plus in the passing game.
Enter Laube, who is a natural pass-catcher out of the backfield. The 5-foot-10, 210-pounder led New Hampshire in receiving yards this past season with 708, 295 of which came in one game. His contact balance, body control and reliable hands would be a welcomed addition to the Vikings' running back room.
Round 5, Pick 161: Edge Cedric Johnson, Ole Miss
With the Vikings loaded up on Day 3 picks, they’ll be double-dipping or even triple-dipping into the defensive line class. With Dorlus already in tow (likely more of an inside defensive lineman), Johnson gives them a new presence at edge.
He is a bit rough around the edges, especially in run defense, but he has recorded pass-rush grades above 70.0 in the last two seasons. At 6-foot-3, 265 pounds, he has the size for edge work at the NFL level. He also has good movement skills for a player of his size.
He needs some reps but has the athletic mold you draft and develop.
Round 5, Pick 162: LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia
We’ve seen a big overhaul from the Vikings' linebacker room recently. Dumas-Johnson can bring a steady presence to that as a true off-ball inside linebacker.
He’s 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, which is adequate for an NFL middle linebacker. He’s more of a downhill player than a savvy deep coverage player, but he was even improving in that area before injuring his forearm late in the season.
If he declares, he’s likely a Day 3 guy to draft in this range, and he has the potential to develop into more than just a depth piece.
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