Vikings pass on second QB tier, take Clemson CB in Mel Kiper Jr.’s mock draft

The Vikings may be in a predicament to land one of the main three quarterbacks.

Indeed, even with the eleventh by and large pick, their most noteworthy choice in almost 10 years, the Vikings give off an impression of being in a predicament to land their quarterback representing things to come in the current year’s draft.

Anything can occur, obviously, yet there is by all accounts a decent opportunity that the main three quarterbacks in this class — Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels — will go 1-2-3. A quarterback at No. 1 will not be passed up by the Bears. 1 to keep Justin Fields, right? The Commandants and new GM Adam Peters are very likely taking a QB at 2. Additionally, the Patriots may already have indicated that they will select a quarterback with the third pick.

To acquire one of those three quarterbacks, the Vikings would need to impress one of those three teams with a significant deal. The ideal situation for Minnesota would be the Loyalists taking Marvin Harrison Jr., for instance, which could permit the Vikings to exchange up to 4 or 5 — the Cardinals and Chargers needn’t bother with a QB — to take Daniels. However, that probably won’t be a choice.

The second level of quarterbacks comprises of Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., and Oregon’s Bo Nix. Will the Vikings like any of those players enough to take them at 11? They’re regularly examined as marginal first-rounders more than marginal top-ten picks.

In the principal mock draft of the year from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the three top-level QBs go 1-2-3 (with Daniels going above Maye, curiously). The main protective player off the board in the main ten is Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner to the Hawks at 8. With the eleventh pick, Kiper has the Vikings passing on the level two quarterbacks and taking a cornerback.

Kiper’s Vikings pick at 11: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

In my last counterfeit in front of the 2023 draft, I projected the Vikings taking a cornerback. All things considered, they went with wide recipient Jordan Addison, who had a fabulous youngster season, getting 10 score passes. That need in the optional still exists. Andrew Booth Jr., a 2022 second-round pick, hasn’t quite figured things out. Last season, Minnesota had the 28th-lowest number of passing yards allowed to receivers, with 3,019. We should return to Clemson — Stall’s previous school — with the determination of Wiggins here. In 2023, Wiggins was the closest lockdown defender in coverage, allowing just 4.2 yards per attempt.

Might the Vikings at any point take a quarterback? Without a doubt. Kirk Cousins is a free specialist, and I don’t figure youngster fifth-rounder Jaren Lobby will be the person long haul. Right now, however, the most probable choice may be running it back with Cousins, so including a starter guard checks out. As we learn more about the plans of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, this could obviously change.

Different choices on the board here incorporate UCLA edge Laiatu Latu, Florida State edge Jared Stanza, Alabama CB Terrion Arnold, Iowa CB Cooper DeJean, Texas DT Byron Murphy II, and Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton. The just other QB chose in the primary round of Kiper’s fake is McCarthy, who goes to the Seahawks at 16.

In the two seasons prior to his 21st birthday in August, Wiggins, a 6’2″ cornerback, had three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, 19 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and three tackles for loss. He’s a thin corner with big-time physicality and ability to playmaking, however groups might have inquiries concerning his rawness.

The Vikings are as yet searching for their most memorable genuine closure outside cornerback since Xavier Rhodes was thriving. Perhaps Wiggins could be that person.

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