2021 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings 7-round mock

Round 4

The Vikings’ interior line play leaves a lot to be desired, which is a massive understatement. A bad history drafting guards in the mid or late rounds is also a red flag here, but that should not be a referendum on Smith.

Smith was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2017 class, choosing Tennessee over many notable suitors. He started all 12 games left tackle as a freshman, earning Freshman All-American and second-team All-SEC honors. Blood clots in his lungs derailed cost him a chunk of the season in 2018. But then he moved to left guard over his final two seasons in Knoxville, earning first team All-SEC honors both years while allowing just one sack over those two seasons.

Smith is big (6-foot-5 and 1/2, 331 pounds at the Senior Bowl), fairly agile and some analysts regard him as a “plug and play starter.” That’s just what the Vikings need at guard, and taking him early than this would be on the table.

One cornerback in this draft probably won’t be enough for Zimmer, so I’ve got the Vikings taking another shot here (if only for lack of obvious options elsewhere).

Williams played five games for Syracuse last season before opting out and entering the 2021 draft in early November. A couple pieces of evaluation from NFL Draft Bible’s Ric Serritella hints at a possible position change at the next level.

“He’s got some versatility to him. You can move him around. He can play safety, he can play nickel, he has excellent closing speed. Quick short areas and burst to get to the ball carrier.

“The one area he needs to improve is in man coverage. He’s a little bit of a strider when he’s keeping up with the receiver. He has excellent testing speed and then he can get kind of caught up with his footwork in man coverage.”

With the all but certain departure of Anthony Harris in free agency, the Vikings will be looking for a new safety to pair with Harrison Smith. Williams’ versatility makes him a potential option.