Minnesota Vikings 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft: Vikings trade back

Round 3

While the Vikings addressed their secondary through the free agency signings of cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander and safety Xavier Woods, Minnesota will look to build both depth and towards the future in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Vikings signed former Cowboy safety Woods to a one-year, prove-it deal following the departure of Anthony Harris and add a versatile safety with their first pick in the third round.

Jevon Holland is a versatile nickel-safety hybrid that can play deeper in the secondary or line up at the line of scrimmage, giving the Vikings several options defensively. Holland started all 13 games as a true freshman at Oregon and led the team with five interceptions. He followed up on an outstanding freshman season and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors last fall, bringing in an additional four interceptions.

While Holland’s decision to opt-out of the 2020 season could see the safety fall in the Draft, the Minnesota Vikings add a tremendous athlete who possesses strong positional awareness.

While the Vikings drafted Vera-Tucker in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, they will likely look to go after offensive lineman early and often. The decision to draft Vera-Tucker would likely move Cleveland into the left tackle role, but the Vikings may look to add additional depth at the position and the option to keep Cleveland inside.

The Vikings have rotated through five guards over the past two years, leading to their inability to effectively set the line. While the plan to start the 2020 season would slot Vera-Tucker in at guard with Cleveland at left tackle, injuries and inconsistent play could see new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak look to move around his offensive line.

Brady Christensen lacks the size possessed by the top-rated offensive tackles in the 2021 NFL Draft class but was an incredibly productive three-year starter at BYU. Christensen earned first-team All-American honors last season, protecting Zach Wilson’s blindside, and ranks as one of the top pass-blocking linemen in the Draft. Christensen moves well on his feet and gives the Vikings depth at tackle and could easily move to a guard spot opposite of Vera-Tucker.