Inside The Vikings

NFL Draft: After Trading Down, Who Could the Vikings Target With Picks 32 and 34?

The Vikings will have a chance to add two impact players with their new picks.
Will Ragatz|
NFL Draft: After Trading Down, Who Could the Vikings Target With Picks 32 and 34?
NFL Draft: After Trading Down, Who Could the Vikings Target With Picks 32 and 34?

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Minnesota Vikings

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's first draft decision as Vikings GM was a controversial one: trading the No. 12 and 46 picks to the division-rival Lions for picks 32, 34, and 66.

There will be plenty of time for analysis and opinions on the decision going forward, but for now, the focus turns to the No. 32 pick tonight. Assuming the Vikings don't trade down again, they'll wrap up the first round by making the selection originally traded from the Rams to the Lions in the Matthew Stafford deal. 

Here's a look at some players at positions of need who the Vikings could target at 32 (and early tomorrow night at 34).

Cornerbacks

  • Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
  • Kaiir Elam, Florida (update: gone to Bills at 23)
  • Kyler Gordon, Washington
  • Roger McCreary, Auburn

Booth and Elam might not make it to 32, but at least a few members of this group will be there. Cornerback is the Vikings' biggest need.

Edge rushers

  • Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State (update: gone to Jets at 26)
  • George Karlaftis, Purdue (update: gone to Chiefs at 30)
  • Boye Mafe, Minnesota
  • David Ojabo, Michigan
  • Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State

After the falling Johnson, all four edge rushers in this tier come from the Big Ten. Karlaftis probably won't be there, but the other three might. Ojabo is coming off an Achilles injury.

Safeties

The Vikings passed on Kyle Hamilton, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're against drafting a safety early.

Interior defensive line

  • Travis Jones, Connecticut
  • Logan Hall, Houston
  • Devonte Wyatt, Georgia (update: gone to Packers at 28)

The Vikings could use more pass-rush juice on the inside.

Linebacker

  • Devin Lloyd, Utah (update: gone to Jaguars at 27)
  • Nakobe Dean, Georgia

Would the Vikings take an off-ball linebacker this early?

Interior offensive line

  • Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa (update: gone to Ravens at 25)

Center of the future?

Wide receiver

  • George Pickens, Georgia
  • Christian Watson, NDSU
  • Skyy Moore, Western Michigan
  • John Metchie III, Alabama

The Vikings will have options to add another young receiver to Kevin O'Connell's offense.

Quarterback

  • Malik Willis, Liberty
  • Matt Corral, Ole Miss
  • Sam Howell, UNC

Wouldn't this be something?

Stay tuned. Pick 32 is approaching.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long. Also, follow me on Twitter and feel free to ask me any questions on there.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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