Vikings 2021 mock draft: Pass rush or pass protection early?

This pick might not be the most exciting for Minnesota Vikings fans right now, unless you’ve really been paying close attention to the way Darrisaw has played in 2020.

First of all, let’s explain the why behind this selection.

The Vikings have Riley Reiff at left tackle playing 100 percent of the snaps, and he is a free agent after this year. Considering the rumors of Reiff being on the trade block at some point, it really doesn’t seem overly likely that he’s going to be back with the team in 2021.

With that in mind, the Vikings used a 2020 second-round pick on Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland. Cleveland has emerged as the Vikings’ starting right guard in 2020 and he could be there to stay.

While the option of him moving to left tackle is perhaps not off the table, the idea of adding a long, athletic, physical player like Darrisaw could be appealing to Minnesota, even as high as the 13th spot they are currently projected to land.

Darrisaw was known coming into this season for his tremendous run blocking but his pass protection has improved tremendously in 2020 and he looks like the complete package at the position.

Analytics folks are loving Darrisaw’s all-around game and he’s been getting first-round buzz for a couple of months now. Especially in an offense like Minnesota’s, he could thrive.