The Minnesota Vikings have completed their second round of the NFL Draft, and are reportedly considering drafting a wide receiver in the 3rd. If they do not select one, look for them to trade down or even draft another player altogether. With all that said, here’s our updated 2nd round mock draft with picks 9-32!
The NFL Draft for 2022 is less than two weeks away, and draft boards throughout the league are beginning to take shape. Almost all of the significant free agency and trade dominoes have fallen, and the requirements of the clubs are very evident. That means it’s time for the second edition of the three-round Minnesota Vikings mock draft.
Mock Draft 1.0 for the Minnesota Vikings
Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images; Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images; Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images | (L-R) Derek Stingley Jr., Minnesota Viking logo, Kerby Joseph | Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images; Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images; Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Minnesota Vikings addressed cornerback, defensive line, and offensive line with the first three choices in Sportscasting.com’s three-round mock draft. The choices were as follows:
- Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington, 1st round, No. 12 overall
- Logan Hall, EDGE, Houston, Round 2, No. 46 overall
- Dylan Parham, C/G, Memphis, 3rd round, No. 77 overall
In the last two weeks, draft boards have evolved, as have the Vikings’ needs after free agency. Furthermore, it is now evident who players will be available at which selection. This indicates that a cornerback will be selected in the first round again in the Vikings mock draft 2.0, but the choices in Rounds 2 and 3 will be different.
Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU, Round 1, No. 12 overall
The first choice in this Minnesota Vikings mock draft, like in most Minnesota Vikings mock drafts, is a cornerback. It was the position with the most need heading into the 2022 offseason, and it remains so with the draft approaching.
LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. would have been a top-three selection in the 2020 NFL draft if freshmen were allowed to join. He started 15 games, had six interceptions, and was selected first-team All-America in his debut season in Baton Rouge, all while helping the Tigers win a national title.
Freshmen, on the other hand, aren’t allowed to participate, therefore Stingley only played 10 more games for the Bayou Bengals, never intercepting another ball.
Although Stingley is a big risk, the LSU freshman who shut down Ja’Marr Chase in practice is still in the mix. The risk/reward curves switch places at No. 12, and it becomes worthwhile to take a chance on a player like Stingley. For Vikings fans who recall the short-lived Jeff Gladney era, this will be unpleasant, but it’s a risk worth taking.
Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming (Round 2, No. 46 overall)
WY LB Chad Muma-great first name. Speed to find ball in coverage/attacking runs, always gets angle to make the tackle. Uses height/length and athleticism to secure tackles. Slides past OL as interior blitzer. Tough inside but projects as OLB in J Cox/Anzalone mold. #SnapScout22 pic.twitter.com/P1E9QZ0I3u
— Chad Reuter (@chad_reuter) June 2, 2021
This offseason, the Vikings lost two of their three linebackers to tackles. Anthony Barr is a free agent after signing with the Arizona Cardinals. Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks, the two inside linebackers on the left, are 30 and 31 years old, respectively.
Chad Muma is a rising draft prospect from a minor school. He’s 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds, and in his past two seasons at Wyoming, he averaged double-digit tackles per game. He also possesses a keen football sense, having recovered two fumbles and intercepted three passes last season.
Muma makes a lot of sense in Round 2 of this Minnesota Vikings mock draft because new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell wants to mix 4-3 and 3-4 fronts, and a flexible, sideline-to-sideline LB like him might help him achieve that.
Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois, 3rd round, No. 77 overall
The premise of this mock draft for the Minnesota Vikings is defense, defense, defense. On his side of the ball, new head coach Kevin O’Connell will have much to work with in 2022, so he should focus the selections on the defense.
After dealing with CB and LB, the Vikings will turn their attention to safety. Outside of Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum and John Metellus, the Panthers’ only other safeties are Xavier Woods and Camryn Bynum. Between them, they have three years and three starts of experience.
Smith has plenty of experience, but at 33 years old and with a $64 million deal that expires after the 2022 season, it’s time to start thinking about the future.
Kerby Joseph of Illinois is the finest ball-hawking safety available in the draft. He stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 200 pounds, with a wingspan of 6-foot-8, similar to that of an NBA small forward. Last season, his body, along with his reflexes, allowed him to pick off five balls for the Illini.
Sports Reference provided all stats.
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