Vikings 2022 NFL Draft Rumors: Garrett Wilson, Drake London

The 2022 NFL Draft rumor mill is in full swing with the big night just days away. While teams are certainly posturing to send up smoke screens ahead of the NFL Draft, some actual intentions can be gleaned by reading the tea leaves that are NFL rumors. We’re going to combine our expert consensus first-round mock NFL Draft, the latest picks from our NFL analysts, our team needs for each NFL squad, and the latest NFL rumors to try to determine what teams will do during the 2022 NFL Draft. Below, we’ll check and see if the Minnesota Vikings are actually considering a wide receiver with their first pick.

2022 NFL Draft Team Needs

Andrew Erickson shares team needs for all 32 teams ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. He has the following for the Vikings:

Team Needs: CB, LB, DL, S, WR, QB

Latest 2022 NFL Draft Rumors

Marco Pavoloni (@MAPavoloni) of The Rumor Mill Mock Draft provides the latest in the world of 2022 NFL Draft rumors.

Between Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Irv Smith’s expected return from injury, and the emergency of K.J. Osborn as a bona fide No. 3 option, the Vikings have one of the better groups of pass catchers in the league.

But Thielen will be 32 at the start of the season, and commands a large salary number, and the Vikings aren’t exactly rolling in future cap space.

Combine that with new Head Coach Kevin O’Connell’s proclivity for 11-personnel, and an argument can be made that another young stud at the position could make sense.

Most experts expect the Vikings to take a corner with their first pick on Thursday, and if not a corner, then the best player on the defensive side of the ball, where they need an infusion of talent.

But there has been some buzz that they could take a wideout. Let’s explore:

First off, it’s widely been reported that the Vikings covet one of the top two corners in the class. Other than that, we haven’t heard much in the way of rumors, which suggests they may be looking at a BPA situation.

On 4/7, on a SKOR North podcast, Darren Wolfson, consistently one of the most reliable and well-connected sources for Vikings intel, said not to rule out the Vikings taking a receiver at 12, mentioning they like Drake London and Garrett Wilson more than some of the other options at the position.

On the 14th, Wolfson doubles down, stating, “They will draft a WR at some point on draft weekend,” reiterating their interest in Wilson and London.”

In terms of actual intel on prospects the Vikings like, that’s about it. But other team experts have linked them to a WR, albeit subtly.

Here’s Arif Hasan, in a Q&A on The Athletic, replying to a question on what the Vikings would do if Stingley and Gardner were gone at 12:

“I’m not so sure it’s set in stone that McDuffie doesn’t warrant that kind of selection but if the Vikings agree with you, they may opt for a receiver like mentioned previously. Maybe an Edge Rusher.”

It’s also worth noting that Chad Graff of the Athletic mocked Drake London to the Vikings at pick 12 in his 7-round mock draft published on 4/18. He writes:

“let’s consider a different move I think the Vikings would consider: drafting a wide receiver at No. 12. Kevin O’Connell has said multiple times since becoming the Vikings coach that he doesn’t plan on using as much 11 personnel as he did with the Rams because the Vikings roster doesn’t warrant that. But it could with this selection. O’Connell’s premise centers around the Vikings having a better No. 2 tight end/fullback than a No. 3 wide receiver. With London, I don’t think that would be the case anymore.”

Graff goes on to mention that London’s ability to dominate on the outside could “allow the Vikings to find more mismatches with Adam Thielen or Justin Jefferson in the slot”

Consensus First-Round NFL Mock Draft

Despite the trade rumors involving wide receivers, our consensus mock draft has the Vikings focusing on their secondary in the draft. The most likely picks, according to the consensus are cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Andrew Booth Jr.

Our analysts agree, as both Matthew Freedman and Andrew Erickson recently mocked the Vikings cornerbacks:

Freedman’s latest mock draft: Week of the Draft

12. Minnesota Vikings: Trent McDuffie (CB – Washington)
The Vikings let starting cornerback Mackensie Alexander walk in free agency, so they need to address the position in the draft. McDuffie is a consensus first-rounder and true junior with three years of starting experience in the Pac-12.

Erickson’s latest mock draft: NFL Mock Draft 6.0

12. Minnesota Vikings: Derek Stingley (CB – LSU)

The Vikings ranked fifth in most passing yards allowed this past season and have a glaring hole at cornerback. Patrick Peterson isn’t getting any younger and Mackensie Alexander remains unsigned. That leaves just Cameron Dantzler as a starter surrounded by less-than-ideal options.

The Vikings fill the void by selecting Derek Stingley Jr., who was seen as a can’t-miss option after his freshman season. The LSU product has regressed some the past two years, but the talent showcased in 2019 — PFF’s highest-graded corner — is worth it.

Anticipate that Minnesota probably has a solid read on Stingley’s profile heading into the draft, based on them hiring former LSU defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Daronte Jones.

He also dismayed any doubt surrounding his current health after testing at LSU’s pro day. He ran a 4.44 40-yard dash (72nd percentile), jumped 38.5 inches in the vertical (80th percentile), and leaped 122 inches in the broad jump (51st percentile).

FantasyPros Mock Drafts

Andrew Erickson:

Matthew Freedman:

Version 1: Post-free agency
Version 2: Post-Eagles & Saints trade
Version 3: Mid-April
Version 4: 10 days away
Version 5: Seven days away
Version 6: Week of the Draft

Derek Brown:

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