The NFL Draft has arrived and anticipation for the Minnesota Vikings’ first pick is at a maximum, with speculation that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell could go all-in and draft a player they think can be the future franchise quarterback after the Kirk Cousins era ends.
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The final mock drafts have been submitted and here are what 10 of the industry’s most respected insiders are predicting the Vikings to do.
Mel Kiper Jr: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Kiper has the Vikings trading up with the Jets to take Richardson 15th overall. The asking price, per Kiper, would be this year’s first-round pick and more.
Todd McShay: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
McShay has Richardson being drafted fifth overall by the Seahawks. He notes that Hendon Hooker would make sense but says Addison helps fill the more immediate need of a No. 2 wide receiver behind Justin Jefferson.
Peter Schrager: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas and Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
This one comes in as a bit of a shocker as Robinson is the best running back in the class and some believe he’s a rare prospect that ranks among the likes of Saquon Barkley and other premiere backs that have been drafted in the past 20 years. But that’s not all. Schrager also has the Vikings trading back into the first round with the Bengals to take Hooker 28th overall.
Daniel Jeremiah: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Jeremiah, considered by many to be an elite draft scout (he did it in the NFL), has Minnesota going with the USC wide receiver. It’s worth noting that he also has Richardson falling all the way to the Seahawks at No. 20.
Peter King: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
King, one of the most respected football insiders of all time, has Richardson falling all the way to the Vikings at pick 23.
Albert Breer: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Breer notes in his mock that he doesn’t see Minnesota trading up for a quarterback, though he acknowledged that the Vikings would consider Richardson if he falls to them at 23.
Chris Trapasso: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Trapasso, the draft analyst at CBS Sports who frequents as a guest on Matthew Coller’s Purple Insider podcast, has Minnesota going with the freakishly-athletic cornerback. He has Richardson going third overall to the Colts, who would have to move up one slot to get him.
Brett Kollmann: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Kollman, who also works for the Los Angeles Chargers, held his live mock draft Wednesday on his YouTube channel The Film Room and he has Minnesota going all in by trading up to No. 3 to take Richardson.
Joel Klatt: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Another Addison-to-Minnesota prediction, this time from the Fox Sports college football insider.
Dane Brugler: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Yet another Addison pick for the Vikings. This is clearly the hot prediction for those thinking the Vikings don’t trade up for a quarterback.
