Minnesota Vikings: Trade targets in the 2021 NFL Draft

The Minnesota Vikings’ first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft will be dictated by the movement before them, primarily how non-quarterbacks could drop depending on teams looking to trade up for a franchise quarterback. The Vikings have several positional needs to address and while adding a top-end lineman will be a priority, they could have several options to grab that player and a second-rounder.

If Minnesota is waiting to determine if Cleveland will be moved to left tackle depending on the Draft, the Vikings could go for either top tackle such as Rashawn Slater or Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw, or instead, go after top-rated guard, Alijah Vera-Tucker, moving Cleveland to tackle. The Vikings’ plans will be driven by Atlanta’s decision at four.

Picks one through three are all a lock at quarterback with Lawrence and Wilson expected to go one and two. The 49ers are expected to pick their top-rated quarterback between Jones, Fields, and Lance. If the 49ers do go after Mac Jones, the Falcons could be tempted into replacing Matt Ryan with Justin Fields. The last time Atlanta picked in the top four was 2008 when the Falcons selected Ryan third overall.

While Atlanta has a talented offense, the Falcons could look to turn over their team in the upcoming years after replacing former head coach Dan Quinn with Arthur Smith. IN this scenario, the Falcons decide to use the fourth overall pick on Justin Fields, redshirting their rookie quarterback before activating the potential out in Ryan’s contract next offseason.

With Fields off the board at four, only Trey Lance remains as one of the projected first-round quarterbacks with Denver, New England, and Washington as the most likely teams looking to trade up for the fifth quarterback in the Draft.

1 – Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson

2 – Jets: Zach Wilson, Quarterback, BYU

3 – 49ers: Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama

4 – Falcons: Justin Fields, Quarterback, Ohio State

5 – Bengals: Penei Sewell, Offensive Tackle, Oregon

6 – Dolphins: Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida

7 – Lions: Ja’Marr Chase, Wide Receiver, LSU

8 – Panthers: Rashawn Slater, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern

9 – Broncos: Trey Lance, Quarterback, North Dakota State

10 – Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback, Alabama

11 – Giants: Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver, Alabama

12 – Eagles: Jaycee Horn, Cornerback, South Carolina

13 – Chargers: Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle, Virginia Tech

14 – Dolphins: DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver, Alabama

15 – Patriots: Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State

16 – Cardinals: Greg Newsome II, Cornerback, Northwestern

17 – Raiders: Teven Jenkins, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma State

18 – Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Guard/Tackle, USC

Miami then takes the best overall playmaker with Kyle Pitts, allowing seeing Chase fall to Detroit at seven. After Carolina declines trading out of the eighth spot to take Slater and the Chargers prioritize their line for Justin Herbert, the Vikings trade back to Miami in exchange for the 18th overall pick and one of Miami’s two second-rounders. The Dolphins double down on playmakers and the Vikings rebuild their line around Vera-Tucker.

After redshirting his first year with the Trojans, Alijah Vera-Tucker broke into USC’s starting lineup as a guard in 2019 and earned All-Pac-12 honors on the way. Vera-Tucker earned USC’s Offensive Lineman of the Year award over Dolphins’ 2020 first-round tackle, Austin Jackson, and made the transition to the left tackle position for all of USC’s 2020 games.

Vera-Tucker is one of the most athletic tackles in the draft class and could become Reiff’s long-term replacement. Vera-Tucker could make an immediate impact for the Minnesota Vikings at guard before moving adjusting to a move outside.

With a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings then turn their attention to their defensive line, selecting Gregory Rousseau. Rousseau is an incredibly athletic prospect for the position, possessing great size and length, and was one of the most dominant ends in college football when he suited up.

His first season at Miami was limited to just two games due to injury, however, he returned in 2019 registering 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. Outperformed only by Chase Young, Rousseau decided to opt out of the 2020 season to focus on the Draft. He has the length, frame, and speed to develop into a top pass rusher but will need to add weight and improve technique to hit his ceiling.