2021 Vikings Redraft

I don't know how Penei Sewell was able to fall this far in this redraft, but the Vikings wouldn't trade back with the Jets in this situation and would take Sewell. For the Lions, Sewell has already established himself to be one of the best tackles in the league. While Darrisaw has played an elite tackle, Sewell would serve as a somehow even better option.

Initially, the Vikings selected Chazz Surratt with the 78th overall pick. Surratt only lasted a single season in a Vikings uniform. In this redraft, the Vikings opt to select Trey Smith, one of the best right guards in the NFL. Despite falling to the 6th round in the real draft, the Chiefs took a chance on him and he worked his way up to be a starter Week 1. Once he got the opportunity to start, Smith has performed greatly and hasn't lost his role since. One of the biggest concerns with him heading into the draft, his injury history, has not been an issue for him thus far.

Wide receiver may not have been a major need for the Vikings at that time, but just imagine a wide receiver duo of Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown was able to make an immediate impact his rookie season for the Lions as a 4th round pick and has served as one of the top receivers since. This draft helped the Lions establish a great young core for years to come, so selecting St. Brown and the aforementioned Sewell would help prevent the Lions from becoming one of the best teams in the NFL.

Although he was drafted in the 3rd Round by the Los Angeles Rams in real life, Jones wasn't projected as high as his draft spot. However, he still will be taken much earlier than projected in this redraft. As a Ram, Jones was able to succeed when he was given the opportunity to start. He was a tackle machine that thrived in run defense. While the Vikings currently have some solid linebackers right now, Ernest Jones would've served as a much more cheaper option that could've allowed them to continue spending money in positions of greater need (defensive backs and defensive line).

The Vikings stick with their initial draft selection here and select Camryn Bynum, who currently is their starting free safety. Since becoming the starting free safety in 2022, Bynum has been a ballhawk. Not to mention that he also led all defensive backs in tackles during the 2023 season.

Originally, the Vikings selected Patrick Jones II in the third round at pick 90. The Vikings are still able to pick him up here, but this time in the 4th round. Although he hasn't been a starter for the Vikings, he has served as a great rotational pass rusher. As of Week 14 of the 2024 season, Patrick has racked up seven sacks as a rotational pass rusher. Despite not having many opportunities to start, he has been able to take advantage of his situations when given to him.

Tight end hasn't been a major issue for the Vikings as of late, but when the 2021 draft rolled around, the Vikings could've used a backup tight end. With this selection, they take Noah Gray, who is currently the backup to Travis Kelce. Even as a backup, Gray has been able to serve as a serviceable option for Mahomes.

The cornerback position has been a weakness for the Vikings for the past few seasons. In order to address this, they select Deommodore Lenoir. As a 49er, Lenoir has established himself to be one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league. With his great performance, he was able to get a pretty hefty payday from the 49ers a month ago.

This draft class had a pretty weak interior defensive line group in hindsight. As a result, the Vikings would select Khyiris Tonga. Tonga has bounced around the league on multiple practice squads, but he was able to have some impact on the field when he was a Viking. This selection is merely out of familiarity with the system.

Despite being taken in the fourth round in 2021, Nwangwu still ends up as a Viking in this redraft, but this time as a 6th round pick. While Nwangwu wasn't able to make any impacts in the rushing attack, he was still one of the most explosive return specialists during his tenure with the Vikings, racking up two kick-return touchdowns in just his rookie season.

I know Mike Zimmer would've hated this, but the Vikings would still take a QB this draft. Maybe he'd be alright with it if it was with a 7th round pick. Sam Ehlinger is one of the only QBs left available right now with some starting experience.

I don't know how Penei Sewell was able to fall this far in this redraft, but the Vikings wouldn't trade back with the Jets in this situation and would take Sewell. For the Lions, Sewell has already established himself to be one of the best tackles in the league. While Darrisaw has played an elite tackle, Sewell would serve as a somehow even better option.

Initially, the Vikings selected Chazz Surratt with the 78th overall pick. Surratt only lasted a single season in a Vikings uniform. In this redraft, the Vikings opt to select Trey Smith, one of the best right guards in the NFL. Despite falling to the 6th round in the real draft, the Chiefs took a chance on him and he worked his way up to be a starter Week 1. Once he got the opportunity to start, Smith has performed greatly and hasn't lost his role since. One of the biggest concerns with him heading into the draft, his injury history, has not been an issue for him thus far.

Wide receiver may not have been a major need for the Vikings at that time, but just imagine a wide receiver duo of Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown was able to make an immediate impact his rookie season for the Lions as a 4th round pick and has served as one of the top receivers since. This draft helped the Lions establish a great young core for years to come, so selecting St. Brown and the aforementioned Sewell would help prevent the Lions from becoming one of the best teams in the NFL.

Although he was drafted in the 3rd Round by the Los Angeles Rams in real life, Jones wasn't projected as high as his draft spot. However, he still will be taken much earlier than projected in this redraft. As a Ram, Jones was able to succeed when he was given the opportunity to start. He was a tackle machine that thrived in run defense. While the Vikings currently have some solid linebackers right now, Ernest Jones would've served as a much more cheaper option that could've allowed them to continue spending money in positions of greater need (defensive backs and defensive line).

The Vikings stick with their initial draft selection here and select Camryn Bynum, who currently is their starting free safety. Since becoming the starting free safety in 2022, Bynum has been a ballhawk. Not to mention that he also led all defensive backs in tackles during the 2023 season.

Originally, the Vikings selected Patrick Jones II in the third round at pick 90. The Vikings are still able to pick him up here, but this time in the 4th round. Although he hasn't been a starter for the Vikings, he has served as a great rotational pass rusher. As of Week 14 of the 2024 season, Patrick has racked up seven sacks as a rotational pass rusher. Despite not having many opportunities to start, he has been able to take advantage of his situations when given to him.

Tight end hasn't been a major issue for the Vikings as of late, but when the 2021 draft rolled around, the Vikings could've used a backup tight end. With this selection, they take Noah Gray, who is currently the backup to Travis Kelce. Even as a backup, Gray has been able to serve as a serviceable option for Mahomes.

The cornerback position has been a weakness for the Vikings for the past few seasons. In order to address this, they select Deommodore Lenoir. As a 49er, Lenoir has established himself to be one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league. With his great performance, he was able to get a pretty hefty payday from the 49ers a month ago.

This draft class had a pretty weak interior defensive line group in hindsight. As a result, the Vikings would select Khyiris Tonga. Tonga has bounced around the league on multiple practice squads, but he was able to have some impact on the field when he was a Viking. This selection is merely out of familiarity with the system.

Despite being taken in the fourth round in 2021, Nwangwu still ends up as a Viking in this redraft, but this time as a 6th round pick. While Nwangwu wasn't able to make any impacts in the rushing attack, he was still one of the most explosive return specialists during his tenure with the Vikings, racking up two kick-return touchdowns in just his rookie season.

I know Mike Zimmer would've hated this, but the Vikings would still take a QB this draft. Maybe he'd be alright with it if it was with a 7th round pick. Sam Ehlinger is one of the only QBs left available right now with some starting experience.