NFL mock draft: Vikings 7-round 2023 projection replaces three possible cap casualties

Jalen Redmond could really be helpful with the Vikings defensive line

It’s definitely important for Minnesota to find a way to beef up the depth on the defensive line. Dalvin Tomlinson is a key free agent this offseason for the Vikings and they are losing more depth as well. Because of how they should utilize their draft capital in the earlier rounds, though, they need to find someone who can plug into a role and play it well. Jalen Redmond profiles as someone who would do that for the team.

There’s some versatility up front with Redmond as he moves quite well with a nice 6-foot-3, 298-pound frame. That being said, he’s not been much of as a pass-rusher for Oklahoma, even with seven sacks over the past two seasons. He is highly effective against the run, though, and could help there right away. And if he develops as a pass-rusher too, that’s all upside for the Vikings.

The Vikings RB room could be very shaken up and Kenny McIntosh can help

It’s going to be tricky for Minnesota to handle their incumbent running backs this offseason. Not only is Alexander Mattison set to become a free agent this offseason, but there are murmurs that the team could move on from Dalvin Cook in a cap-saving measure. Especially if Mattison walks, that could leave the running back room in a tough spot but adding Kenny McIntosh to Kene Nwangwu and Ty Chandler gives you a lot more confidence in that group.

McIntosh has the potential to be a breakout star. At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, he has a ton of juice for his size and doesn’t have much mileage after being part of a committee while winning titles at Georgia. He’s been extremely effective as a dual-threat player, though, including averaging 5.5 yards per carry while registering 500 receiving yards and north of 1,300 total yards and scoring 10 times.

Drafting McIntosh late while also adding a veteran in free agency could be the best move for the Vikings at the position.

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