- By Hayden Remillard
- Twitter: @haydentalks
- news@profootballtechs.com
Vikings continue to add to defense with their first 2 picks
The Minnesota Vikings have a total of five selections in the upcoming NFL Draft. Including one pick in the first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds.
The 2023 draft will be the second under general manager Kwesi-Adofo Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Last year, the Vikings used two of their first three picks on the defensive side of the ball — and our latest mock says to expect more of the same in 2023.
Since Minnesota has no second-round pick, this mock draft covers the team’s first three overall selections.
While there’s a strong possibility of the Vikings trading back for more mid-round picks come April, we did not include trades in this mock.
Round 1 Pick 23 – DT Bryan Bresee – Clemson
The Vikings’ defense will benefit from their first selection, as they add to the defensive line.
Bryan Bresee played 10 games for the Clemson Tigers last season, making 15 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
At the combine, Bresee had a 4.86 40-yard dash, 29″ vertical, and 22 reps on the bench press. These results ranked him as the 3rd best DT during the combine, per Next Gen Stats.
Bresee is listed as 6′ 5 1/2″ tall, 298 pounds with an arm length of 32 1/2″
The 21-year-old has the potential to be an instant starter and is strong at pressuring the opposing quarterback, something the Vikings struggled with at times last year.
Round 3 Pick 87 – CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson – TCU
Minnesota decides to stay on defense with their second selection, taking cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson.
Hodges-Tomlinson played 15 games for TCU in 2022. During that time, he recorded 50 total tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and three interceptions on 15 defended passes.
He is 5′ 8″ tall and 178 pounds. During the combine he ran a 4.41 40-yard dash, with a 39″ vertical jump and an 11′ broad jump, earning him an overall score of 82. Next Gen Stats ranked him the eighth-best among corners.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Hodges-Tomlinson to current Vikings cornerback Duke Shelley.
Cornerback is one of the top positions of need for the Vikings this off-season. Hodges-Tomlinson brings an incredible amount of athletic ability and can work his way into the starting lineup.
Round 4 Pick 119 – WR Michael Wilson – Stanford
With the recent release of long-time Viking Adam Thielen, Minnesota turns toward a wide receiver in the fourth round.
Wilson has only played 14 games for the Cardinal over the last three seasons. During that time, he had 64 catches for 864 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
During the NFL Combine earlier this month, Wilson ran a 4.58 40-yard dash. He also recorded a 37.5″ vertical and 10′ 5″ broad jump. His combine performance scored a 69 on Next Gen Stats, 31st best among wide receivers.
NFL.com compares Wilson to Las Vegas Raiders receiver Mack Hollins.
If he can remain healthy, Wilson will make for a good third option behind Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn.
The 2023 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 27th, and runs through Saturday, April 29th.