NFL Draft: 5 players Vikings should draft in the first round

5 players Vikings should draft in the first round

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 6: Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II #11 of the Florida State Seminoles is being defended by Tackle Ikem "Ickey" Ekwonu #79 of the NC State Wolfpack during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on November 6, 2021 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Wolfpack defeated the Seminoles 28 to 14. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 27: Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the Oregon Ducks rushes against Joshua Gray #67 of the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) /

4. Kayvon Thibodeaux

Thibodeaux is another prospect who shouldn’t slide all the way down to No. 12. He entered the season as the No. 1 prospect on a lot of team’s boards but an uneven campaign at Oregon has seen his draft stock slide precipitously in recent weeks.

The Vikings likely represent his floor towards the middle of Round 1. He isn’t the biggest edge rusher in the class but he might have the most athleticism and bend. Consistency is something he’ll need to work on at the next level but he possesses all the physical gifts required to develop into an All-Pro edge rusher.

In short, he’s just the sort of gamble a team like the Vikings should be looking to make in Round 1. It’s not even out of the question that Minnesota should see what the price might be to move up a few spots to stop a potential Thibodeaux slide on draft day.

Adding an edge-rusher like Thibodeaux could do a lot to ease the pressure put on the team’s secondary last season. Interestingly, he might be the best possible addition to improve the Minnesota secondary despite the reality that he’s an edge rusher.

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