Ten fits for the Vikings (including a Gopher) on Day 2 of the NFL Draft

Edge rushers? Cornerbacks? Receivers? Here are 10 prospects who fit what the Vikings are looking for in tonight's second and third rounds.

April 29, 2022 at 8:32PM
Defensive lineman Boye Mafe gets encourage from New York Giants assistant coach Andre Patterson, who used to be with the Vikings, during the Gophers’ Pro Day last month. (Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Vikings open Friday's Day 2 of the NFL Draft with three selections — 34th, 66th and 77th overall — and some roster holes to address. Here are 10 prospects who might fit what they're looking for.

CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson): A former five-star recruit with a brief history of knee issues, Booth may be a risky upside draft pick. He turns 22 years old in September and is coming off a season in which he led the Tigers with three picks in 11 games. He's got ideal size (6-foot, 194 pounds) and agility to project as an NFL starter.

CB Kyler Gordon (Washington): Another dynamic athlete at corner, Gordon was also a first-team All-PAC 12 defender along with teammate Trent McDuffie, who was drafted in Thursday night's first round by the Chiefs. Gordon (5-foot-11, 194 pounds) is considered a smooth and versatile cover man.

CB Coby Bryant (Cincinnati): Considered a strong fit for a zone defense, not unlike coordinator Ed Donatell's Cover 3 schemes, Bryant (6-foot-1, 193 pounds) was often targeted while playing across from Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, the fourth-overall pick on Thursday. He responded with 11 deflections and two picks last year.

EDGE David Ojabo (Michigan): An Achilles injury during Michigan's pro day in March likely knocked Ojabo out of the first round, because he's got first-round talent. He turns 22 years old next month and has plenty of room to continue ascending as a part-time starter for the Wolverines. He had 11 sacks and a program-record five forced fumbles last year.

EDGE Boye Mafe (Minnesota): Mafe, the Hopkins graduate, is a little on the older end of prospects, turning 24 later this year, but he also has a rare acceleration in his pass rush that could make for an intriguing fit in the Vikings defense.

EDGE Dominique Robinson (Miami-Ohio): A former high school quarterback who led edge rushers with a 41-inch vertical jump at the combine, showcasing athleticism he can bring at 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds. His production at such an early stage, with 8.5 tackles for losses and 4.5 sacks in 12 games last year, hint at a higher ceiling

WR George Pickens (Georgia): A ballhawk in the skies, Pickens (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) is another intriguing upside talent. He's just 21 years old and suffered a torn ACL last spring, but returned to play four games last year and run a 4.47-second 40-yard dash in February.

WR Christian Watson (NDSU): A promising blend of size (6-foot-4, 208 pounds) and speed (4.36-second 40-yard dash), Watson is considered a clean prospect on and off the field for the Bison.

WR Jalen Tolbert (South Alabama): Ranked sixth in the FBS last season with 1,474 receiving yards, Tolbert (6-foot-1, 194 pounds) is a smooth route runner who dominated the Sun Belt Conference. He helped his stock with a strong Senior Bowl showing against upper-level competition.

WR Skyy Moore (Western Michigan): Maybe not the most dynamic athlete, but Moore (5-foot-10, 195 pounds) is considered a tough, competitive slot receiver at the NFL level. He was consistently productive, peaking with 1,292 yards last year as a savvy route runner.

about the writer

Andrew Krammer

Reporter

Andrew Krammer covers the Vikings for the Star Tribune, entering his sixth NFL season. From the Metrodome to U.S. Bank Stadium, he's reported on everything from Case Keenum's Minneapolis Miracle, the offensive line's kangaroo court to Adrian Peterson's suspension.

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