On Thursday night, Minnesota Vikings fans will get their long-awaited verdict — who the team will pick in Round 1 after months of deliberation. The betting market suggests it will be a defensive player, probably a safety, defensive lineman, or cornerback. Now, it’s our turn to take a stab at how the whole draft will shake out.

This is the full forecast before Minnesota goes on the clock.

The final mock draft has absolutely nothing to do with VikingsTerritory‘s preferences; this is about how we think the picks will happen — as a prediction.

The 1st-Round Call Sets the Tone for Everything After

Who is your prediction for the Vikings’ first pick?

We start the party with a trade, but not a bombastic one. The Philadelphia Eagles will move up a few spots to pick their favorite EDGE rusher, whereas Minnesota will bank two mid-round picks.

Philadelphia may grab Keldric Faulk or Akheem Mesidor at No. 18.

Round 1 (Pick 23)
Peter Woods (DT) | Clemson

We’re using this logic: Minnesota booted Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in March, and those two men were established starters in the Vikings’ defense. If the Vikings do nothing in the draft, they’ll trust the DT roles with Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. That just doesn’t seem like enough, unless Brian Flores and Co. sign Christian Wilkins, who has ties to Flores from the Miami days.

Woods is the top defensive tackle in this class, and either via trade down or stick-and-pick, he’s our final prediction for the Vikings’ first draft pick.

Round 2 (Pick 49)
Germie Bernard (WR) | Alabama

Bernard is tall-ish, fast, smooth, and dependable. The Vikings have been scouting wide receivers for weeks, and although they didn’t expressly meet with Bernard, he’d fit nicely in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.

Minnesota needs a WR3 after Jalen Nailor left in free agency, and Bernard can fill the role. He’s a playmaker who goes and gets the football.

Round 3 (Pick 82)
Davison Igbinosun (CB) | Ohio State

Rest in peace, Khyree Jackson: Igbinosun is quite similar stylistically. He’s long, loves physicality, and his only weaknesses are his tendency toward too much aggression, which leads to penalties and/or handsiness.

For now, Minnesota has Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, and Dwight McGlothern as the top four corners on the spring roster. Igbinosun might be next. The Vikings haven’t drafted a productive cornerback in a decade. It’s time. Like overdue.

Round 3 (Pick 97)
Jonah Coleman (RB) | Washington

The Vikings have about 6-7 gettable running backs to choose from in this weekend’s draft. Coleman gets the call for one reason: he’s the best pass-blocker in the class after Jeremiyah Love, who will likely be picked in the Top 8.

In time, when Coleman takes over the RB1 job, he won’t have to come off the field on 3rd Down. That’s invaluable. O’Connell covets tailbacks who block. Ever wonder why Ty Chandler never took off in Minnesota? He didn’t block. Cam Akers did (does), and that’s why the Vikings always find a way to sign him or trade for him.

If we’re wrong about the running back’s identity, the pick will be Emmett Johnson, possibly in Round 3.

Round 3 (Pick 98)
Logan Jones (C) | Iowa

O’Connell claimed a couple of weeks ago that Blake Brandel could start at center. That’s fine; it might work. But tackles-turned-guards-turned-everything-O-linemen don’t typically wake up one day in their late 20s and decide they’ll be a lifelong center.

Enter Jones. He’ll be 25 during the regular season — yes, he’s old — meaning he’s the most game-ready center in this class.

Round 4 (Pick 114)
Genesis Smith (S) | Arizona

No, we did not forget about safety. It’s just that the position isn’t premium, and starting safeties can be found later in the draft, more than other premium positions. For example, it’s easier to bet on a 4th-Round safety turning into a contributor than a 4th-Round quarterback.

Smith is big at 6’2″ and can be used as a blitzing piece for Brian Flores.

Round 5 (Pick 163)
Mason Reiger (EDGE) | Wisconsin

The Vikings met with Reiger a couple of weeks ago. He’s another “old” prospect, turning 24 during the regular season.

After Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Bo Richter, and Tyler Batty on the depth chart, Minnesota could use one more promising outside linebacker for the summer and beyond.

Round 6 (Pick 196)
Red Murdock (LB) | Buffalo

Murdock is explosive and hardly missed games at Buffalo. He’s a ballhawk who Flores could put to work on defense, in time, and a special-teams contributor who Matt Daniels would love.

The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler on Murdock: “Murdock is inconsistent as a space player, but he is a magnet to the football and plays with a physicality that will get the job done in the NFL. There is a place in the league for his competitive toughness and playmaking ability.”

He has a cowboy’s name. His name also sounds like the Rambo First Blood villain, which is a perk.

Round 7 (Pick 234)
D.J. Campbell (G) | Texas

Campbell would be merely a depth piece at guard in case injuries rattle Will Fries or Donovan Jackson. He was a three-starter at Texas. Some intel recently suggested that Minnesota would like production from this draft rather than youthful, inexperienced upside. Campbell is the former.

Round 7 (Pick 235)
Caden Barnett (OT) | Wyoming

Barnett can play tackle and guard, and the Vikings eat up trenchmen with those qualifications. He was considered a “tone setter” at Wyoming.

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