NFL mock draft: 3 teams Georgia’s Nolan Smith could star for on the edge

NFL mock draft: Best Nolan Smith fit No. 2 – Minnesota Vikings

If you just look at the roster right now at the start of March, it doesn’t make a lot of sense why the Minnesota Vikings would be interested in an edge rusher. They already have a ton of money committed to the position right now with Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter on the team. However, how long both of those players are on the team is something that’s definitely in question.

Smith has been mentioned heavily early in the offseason as a potential cap casualty as the Vikings try to save some money. Meanwhile, Hunter’s lack of availability combined with a dip in performance have fans wondering if he’s long for Minnesota as well. That certainly would create a need if one or both of those players are gone.

Brian Flores is the new defensive coordinator in Minnesota and he has enjoyed a ton of success with guys who might not fit the mold of a traditional edge rusher but have tools to simply get after the quarterback. With Nolan Smith’s smaller frame, he would qualify as one of those types of players.

The Vikings have the 23rd overall pick in the draft, which feels like the right type of range to look at the Georgia star, especially as he comes off of the pectoral injury. He could be a newfound force on the edge, especially as he starts to develop technically and even more so with his frame at the NFL level.