NFL Draft 2021: 3 best scenarios for Minnesota Vikings in Round 1

The Minnesota Vikings will have a shot to land their guy in the 2021 NFL draft, but let’s also look at other things they should hope for Thursday night. 

The Minnesota Vikings look to be a piece or two away from actually contending once again in the NFC playoff battle. Go ahead and get the Kirk Cousins jokes out of the way, but he’s not going anywhere for at least another season.

Minnesota has the weapons offensively to be one of the better teams and conference. Dalvin Cook is a top-five running back, while Justin Jefferson has emerged as the next young wide receiver star. If Irv Smith Jr. can be the sure-fire replacement for Kyle Rudolph and Adam Thielen remain a high-end No. 2 target, Minnesota’s offense can win.

Defensively? Yikes.

The Vikings are well-positioned to land an impact player at No. 14. Here are the best three outcomes the Land of 10,000 Lakes franchise can hope for to happen.

3 best outcomes for Minnesota Vikings in Round 1

3. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t get a wide receiver to add to the offense

One might be wondering why this is included on the list. Simple, Aaron Rodgers was less than a quarter away from heading back to the Super Bowl but the team did not have a reliable No. 2 weapon. Under Matt LaFleur, Green Bay is 26-6 with a pair of trips to the NFC Championship games.

Only one player has finished with over 100 yards in each of those games.

It might be a loaded wide receiver class, but there is a stigma about being a first-round target. Names like Terrace Marshall Jr. and Elijah Moore are burners while Rashod Bateman and Rondale Moore are the definition of consistency. All four could be options for Green Bay at No. 29.

Outside of pass rush, one could argue that Minnesota’s biggest weakness is their cornerbacks. They already had trouble guarding Davante Adams, are they really going to want to see another into the mix?

Rodgers was frustrated last year when they didn’t add a receiver at any point in the draft. For at least the first night, let the frustration spew over once again.