Two Vikings Selected in ESPN's Two-Round 2023 Re-Draft Exercise

For all of the understandable talk about the Vikings' disastrous 2022 draft that kicked off the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era, it should also be said that the early returns on the team's 2023 class are very promising. Adofo-Mensah landed a star wide receiver (Jordan Addison) in the first round, added an impressive cornerback (Mekhi Blackmon) in the third, then snagged a steal of an undrafted free agent (Ivan Pace Jr.) to cap things off.

The success of that class is reflected in a new two-round 2023 re-draft exercise from ESPN's NFL beat writers. Addison wound up going even higher in the first round this time around, while Pace went from UDFA to second-round pick.

In the first round of this re-draft, the Texans use the 12th overall pick on Addison, making him the second receiver off the board after Puka Nacua (who went from fifth-round pick in real life to fourth overall). Houston previously took Anthony Richardson at No. 2 after C.J. Stroud was the first pick. That's an 11-spot jump for Addison after a very strong rookie season in Minnesota.

Amid the Vikings' quarterback woes this season, Addison, who caught passes from four different QBs, was still productive. He stepped up for Minnesota in Justin Jefferson's absence (hamstring) and finished the season with 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. He and Richardson could form a fun duo in Houston, though the team wouldn't be able to address its pass rush like it did with the trade for Will Anderson Jr. last April. — DJ Bien-Aime

In re-draft world, the Vikings still end up taking a wide receiver at 23, selecting Jaxon Smith-Njigba three spots after his actual pick by the Seahawks. That would've worked out alright; JSN showed promise as a rookie despite being Seattle's WR3 behind D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

Even more impressive than Addison almost cracking the top ten is Pace's ascension. After originally going undrafted, the All-American from Cincinnati cracks the top 50 overall selections in this re-draft by going 48th to the Lions. He's the second inside linebacker off the board.

Initially, the Lions selected linebacker Jack Campbell with the No. 18 overall pick, so this new selection makes sense as they're still able to address this position with another breakout candidate. Pace, who went undrafted last April, made the 2023 PFWA All-Rookie Team after putting up 102 total tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception while starting 11 games for the Vikings. — Eric Woodyard

This hypothetical pick just tells you how much of a steal Pace was for the Vikings last year. He was incredible as a rookie, playing over 700 defensive snaps with a 77.2 PFF grade and numerous big plays. Pace may still be undersized, but that doesn't stop him from being productive at the NFL level. He looks like he's going to be a key piece of Minnesota's defense for a long time.

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