The 18th Hole: Minnesota's 18 2023 Draft Selections Recapped

[Bundy]

 

The 2023 simfbaNFL Draft came and went, and 18 players heard their names called as members of the 2023 Minnesota Vikings Draft class.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE MARCUS SIRLES Alabama Round 1, Pick #11

2022 1st-Team All-American

2022 1st-Team All-SEC

6.48 second 3-cone - 36 BP - 6.7 Run Stop - 7.105 Pass Rush

Marcus Sirles was projected by many to be a Top 10 selection in this draft, and with the Vikings main targets - now confirmed to be Tennessee OL Noah Prater and Penn State WR Richie Igwebuike - off the board in the picks leading up to #11, the Vikings found a massive value pick in Marcus Sirles. At 6'2", 295, Sirles isn't going to hulk over anyone, but the pass rushing specialist had 10.0 career sacks at 'Bama (8.0 of them last year) and 63 TFL (40 in 2022). Minnesota lost one of their starting DTs to free agency, and while they signed veteran Marvin Scott and traded for 2022 draft selection Michael Fumagalli from Washington, Sirles is immediately a massive, long-term upgrade at the position. The 2023 class was loaded with defensive tackle talent, though, so Vikings fans might want to wait before declaring Sirles to be busting out a gold jacket in 15 years. Still, Sirles is a massive talent for the Vikings to plug and play against an ever-improving NFC North.

DEFENSIVE END KYLE WILSON Oklahoma Round 2, Pick #145

2021 1st-Team All-Big 12

The 2023 Draft was very talent-poor at the defensive edge rushing positions, both DE and OLB together. At pick #45, Minnesota once again became the winner of the "fortunes", grabbing their second defensive lineman in as many picks. Kyle Wilson had 6.0 sacks and 22 TFL in 2021, and was poised to be a 1st Round selection when it came to 2023. The Sooners instead struggled through some coaching changes throughout the 2022 offseason and season, and Wilson only managed a 3.0 sack, 16 TFL senior campaign. Still, Wilson isn't some edge rushing prodigy - he's a balanced defensive end who should be able to duke it out with the nastiest of OTs, across from a pass rushing specialist bookend. The Vikings have a speed rusher in 6th year vet Paul Munford, who couldn't quite get his sack numbers going in 2022, though he was paired with a rookie 6th rounder in Mitch Rivers. The Vikings still hope to have Rivers contribute, but Wilson will slot in ahead of him on the initial DC, and with the Vikings coming away with two starters in as many picks.

RUNNING BACK ALDRICK YNOA Tennessee Round 3, Pick #81

2022 1st-Team All-American

2022 1st-Team All-SEC

In 2022, the Vikings added the top two leading rushers in the 2021 CFB season, drafting Virginia's Cooper McGough in the 3rd round and signing Robert Thomas off of the Eagles practice squad. But the Vikings have since traded veteran RB Bruno Hanson (to Dallas), and there's a Mathew Madden-sized hole in their heart... and in their offense. Madden accounted for 150+ touches and 1800+ yards alone, so the Vikings find themselves needing to explore ways to spread that vacant load out. Enter Aldrick Ynoa, who might not be one of the top two leading rushers of the 2022 CFB season, but did come in at #3. Ynoa caught 75 of his 93 targets last year for 1033 yards, and accumulated 3957 yards rushing and 34 touchdowns rushing over his Tennessee career. There wasn't  a particular "standout" runningback in the predraft process of this class, but the Vikings brass considered many of the backs to be widely undderated, and once Jacksonville took Jaquiski Zettel, all bets were off. Minnesota will likely explore ways to split the rushing attack between Ynoa and McCough, so that opposing teams can never key in on which, is doing what. Especially with Ynoa's 4.34 40-yard dash time scaring any would-be linebacker defenders.

STRONG SAFETY ALFREDO NIX-JONES Pittsburgh Round 3, Pick #89

2022 1st-Team All-ACC

With the Vikings 3rd defensive selection in as many rounds, they likely found their third full-time, day one starter of the draft. A multi-year starter for Pitt, Alfredo Nix-Jones had a solid but unspectacular junior season, that blossomed into All-ACC honors with his 3 INT, 79.5 tackle senior season. ANJ is a speedy (4.37 40 at ACC Pro Day), strong (24 BP) safety who has range and decent hands. His lateral movement (6.82 cone drill at the combine) was top of any SS invited to Indianapolis. The Vikings liked 2022 starter Timothy Santos enough, but were pleasantly surprised to add FA signee Christopher Chapman to their safety room as well. Time will tell what happens to the two vets, but they've likely been relegated to reserve roles with the Vikings swiping the top strong safety of the draft.

TIGHT END CONNER PENCE Oklahoma Round 4, Pick #107

The first of the Vikings draft picks that hadn't received any post-season accolades during his college career, the draft panel panned this Vikings selection and perhaps for good reason. However, with a quick run on tight ends, the Vikings made sure top open up Day Two of the draft by securing their top remaining tight end. Pence, like Kyle Wilson, struggled to keep up with the coaching turnover during his two seasons at Oklahoma. The Vikings, meanwhile, enterred 2022 with John Hendrickson at TE - he and Vikings QB Christian Sinnock failed to click, the Vikings shipped him to Tennessee early in the season (who later sent him to Cincinnati for a massive haul), and the Vikings turned to UDFA D.J. Neverauskas, who made a name for himself catching passes from Matt Howard. Neverauskas, even considering his UDFA status, was an even more disappointing trial than Hendrickson was at the TE position, and just as Matt Howard's sanity left him, so too did Neverauskas from the Vikings roster this offseason. Long story short, Pence and the Vikings are a match for each other. Pence put together 43 receptions, 445 yards, and 5 TDs in his time in Norman, entirely during his senior season. If the Vikings can get him to put up similar stats, perhaps it will quell future draft panels. If not, they'll certainly be justified.

WIDE RECEIVER BROCK SCOTT Virginia Tech Round 4, Pick #117

Though we already discussed the absence of Mathew Madden, the Vikings were still sitting in Round 4 with a hole at WR3 behind Paul Gurule and Alex Williams III. The Vikings like to push the ball downfield through the air, opening up the ground game and short passing game for their speedy, handsy, backs. In 2021, Brock Scott did exactly that, catching 45 passes for 826 yards and 5 TD - at 18.35 yards per clip. In 2022, he caught more passes for more yards, but as a slightly shorter yards per gain, a respectable 16.47 avg, and added 4 more TDs. Scott is never going to be a burner, he ran a 4.46 40 at the ACC Pro Day, which is respectable but not elite. However, he is a route running technician, with Vikings front office members thinking he might be the best in the draft at running precise routes to his open gaps. Scott is the frontrunner for the often-used WR3/slot role in Minnesota, and with teams needing to dedicate focus to Alex Williams III as he hits his prime, the opportunities for Scott will be there.

 

INSIDE LINEBACKER RYAN HICKS Kansas State Round 4, Pick #118

2022 1st-Team All-American

2022 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year

2022 1st-Team All-Big 12

Ryan Hicks took a redshirt year in 2021, with Kansas State coach @Swipet giving him time to focus on his academics while developing himself to be a better football player. Hicks, just a 3-star recruit, made the most of that opportunity, becoming a field-roving nightmare for Big 12 offenses to be wary of. The 23-year-old rookie posted 99.5 tackles, 27 of them for a loss, and added 2.0 sacks in his lone season playing college football. Hicks did his best Lightning McQueen impression at the combine, where his "speed, I am SPEED" showed off with him posting an insane 4.46 40, more than a 10th of  second faster than the next ILB in Indy. His 3-cone was also more than a 10th of a second faster than the next ILB at the combine, and with the Vikings grabbing defensive trench help earlier in the draft, the idea is that Hicks will be able to cleanly run around and wreak havoc just as he did at Kansas State. Some experts considered Hicks a reach, but Vikings GM @Bundy referenced Seattle's selection of Christian Carter in last year's first round as another "overdrafted linebacker" who could (and did) outperform "expertise." Hicks will battle FA-signee Narrinder Beckmann for the Vikings starting ILB role, which was vacated by LB Michael Naccarato's FA departure to Carolina.

OFFENSIVE GUARD MIKE WYNN Air Force Round 5, Pick #139

2021 2nd-Team All-MWC; 2022 2nd-Team All-MWC

The sexiest picks were seemingly over, but the Vikings still had business to do in the 5th round. The Vikings offensive line lost OT Nelson Garcia to Las Vegas via trade, and their right guard position was manned most impressively by UDFA Brandon Gwynn in 2022. Minnesota signed FA Ronald King to potentially start at right guard, but he's a short-term band aid, and left guard Louis Perez is still elite, but is aging out. The Vikings made a trade to pick up IOL Quinterrius Parsons from Washington, but behind Perez, King, and Parsons, the entirety of the Vikings backup line consisted of 2022 UDFAs - at the guard spot, there was Gwynn (a tackle by position but a guard by availability), Danny Syndergaard, and Kemoko Claudio. Enter Mike Wynn, who helped anchor an Air Force team for two seasons en route to two All-MWC mentions. Wynn is not a pass blocking specialist, nor is he a big mauler, he's just a guard who shows up every day and does what's asked of him. With Minnesota likely only bringing 8-9 offensive linemen to their 55-man roster Week 1, Wynn now has a leg up on the others, and should pencil in as a reserve interior lineman. 

WIDE RECEIVER TY MIZZELL Texas Round 5, Pick #149

Ty Mizzell had a very down senior season, posting 73 receptions for 870 yards and 6 TDs at 11.92 yards/reception. However, in 2021, when he had quarterback John Saffold chucking him the ball, Mizzell was a star. His 69 receptions for 1282 yards came at a 18.58 average, and he found the end zone 8 times. Fortunately for Mizzell, one of the Vikings rostered quarterbacks just so happens to be... John Saffold. The Vikings don't expect Mizzell to be a break out starter as a rookie, but he doesn't need to be one. He rounds off his routes a lot, he doesn't have elite hops - it's the 5th round. And where Mizzell graded out well through the predraft process, was his hands. Truly catchable passes, he doesn't drop, coming away with an 8.95 catching grade. Minnesota missed out on their FA WR targets, and they missed out on the elite receiving prospects in the draft. But, outside of 2022 Mr. Mankato Oswaldo Urrutia, the Vikings roster contained no quality backup receivers, and Mizzell looks like a WR who could make a career out of being a WR4, who occasionally supplants a WR2. That's exactly what he can be in Minnesota.

CORNERBACK DARNELL HALE Northwestern Round 5, Pick #160

Darnell Hale isn't a household name, nor should he be, he played at "ChIcAgO's BiG tEn tEaM" Northwestern, and they get swept under the rug where they belong. But - maybe he should be? Hale, in 2022, snagged 4 interceptions and had 6 PD, adding to his 2 INT junior season. He doesn't match up with big WRs as he's just 5'10", and his vertical is that of someone who wouldn't be a basketball star beyond their local YMCA, but where Hale excels is defending in space. He posted a 3.92 shuttle at the Big Ten Pro Day in Chicago, faster than Iowa standout Jermaine Shuck. Minnesota of course was captained by INT GOD Marcos Maldonado last year, but behind Maldonado on the DC was a bevy of "starter-level" CBs. Paul Wade tested the waters in FA, but returned to be Minnesota's CB2. Ralph Cornelius signed in FA to be a special teams leader, and to compete for time in Minnesota's nickel/dime roles that they primarily use (running a 4-2-5 as their base). And Elias Oliva has outside corner potential, but is already 26 and is pending FA after the year. Minnesota had turned to UDFAs J.P. Cunningham and LaRoy Crockett last year for their nickel/dime roles, and while they certainly showed improvement, opposing offenses picked the pair apart, and Minnesota missed the playoffs. Hale isn't a lock for opening day NB, but he should impress enough early in his rookie contract to earn consistent dime and even nickel reps. 

RUNNING BACK DOUG BROTHERS Ohio State Round 6, Pick #162

2022 2nd-Team All-Big Ten

When the 6th round officially opened, Minnesota waited all of 1 pick (Detroit) in anticipation, before scrambling to get their draft card posted in record time. Though they've invested heavily in the RB position early during the past two drafts with McGough and Ynoa, Minnesota is certainly running a very specific offense, and Brothers is very much in their mold. Last year, Minnesota brought in UDFA QB Austin Bishop and UDFA Le'Veon Caminero from Wisconsin, to help 1st rounder Alex Williams III make the transition to the pros. What they had planned for Caminero, they transitioned quickly to Robert Thomas, and now, have made a scheme out of it. The Vikings struggled to consistently run the ball in 2022. They love Doug Brothers. Brothers posted the highest overall receiving grade of running backs the Vikings considered, with solid hands and decent route running. But Brothers can also hit the edge of a tackle and turn up field like very few in this class. Brothers caught 128 passes for 1003 yards in his collegiate career, and with Ynoa and McGough also serving as receiving threats, its likely Brothers could double as a WR5 or even get into the slot role at times, to truly take advantage of the short-intermediate routes opened up by this receiving corps. The Vikings have Brothers down as averaging a 4.35 40-yard dash, and he's sure to make an impact as a change of pace guy who will really change the pace of the linebackers he's leaving in the dust. 

OFFENSIVE TACKLE ELIJAH GREENE Bowling Green Round 6, Pick #165

2022 1st-Team All-MAC

Elijah Greene has done his fair share of winning over the past two seasons, helping to protect Bowling Green mastermind QB Dexter Reed in @PoopyRhinoPickles impressive offense. Greene, like Wynn, isn't a specialist when it comes to blocking, but rather is just a solid guy who can adapt to the playbook given to him. At the MAC Pro Day, he put up 39 BP reps. Greene's status as a 6th round pick isn't in question by anyone, even himself - he knows he's not a physical specimen. But he also knows the opportunity ahead of himself in Minnesota. Vikings left tackle Charles Seay is still a franchise left tackle, and is signed through 2024. But stopgap RT Steve Kozel only received a 1-year deal in FA, and behind them, the Vikings only carry 2022 UDFA's Ricky Gonzalez and Gary Albers. Over the next two seasons, there is going to be plenty of competition for a potential starting bookend role, and Greene intends to win one of those spots.

 

DEFENSIVE TACKLE BRENT LOPEZ Clemson Round 6, Pick #169

2022 1st-Team All-ACC

It was Brent Lopez - not 2023 1st overall pick Alejandro Rua - who was named 1st-Team All-ACC. Of course, we all know why Rua went #1, and Lopez fell to the 6th round in a very DT-rich draft class, and perhaps it was an oversight by ACC selection members, but Lopez is still riding that high. Lopez posted 38.5 tackles, 20 of them for a loss, and added 5.5 sacks, in his senior season. He had 56 tackles, 16 TFL, and 4.0 sacks in 2021, and has just consistently been a matchup nightmare for ACC foes. Minnesota, of course, already added DT Marcus Sirles in the 2023 draft, and their other starter, Neil Henry, is locked in. The Vikings also signed DT Marvin Scott in FA, and of course, traded for Michael Fumagalli. For the first time, the Vikings have actual depth at defensive tackle. Scott, Fumagalli, and Lopez are all due to battle it out for the rotationary roles, but Lopez - at 6'5", 298 - is certainly the biggest of those projected to make the Vikings 55.

CENTER CESAR BARNES Indiana Round 6, Pick #189

Though Cesar Barnes didn't earn any post-season honors in the loaded Big Ten, he stood out as a leader of the Indiana trenches. "You can't teach heart," quipped Vikings GM @Bundy. Barnes, at 6'4", 293, fits the exact mold the Vikings want their interior offensive linemen to have, and it would be no surprise if the Vikings came into the regular season with Barnes on the active roster, possibly rotating in at any of the 3 interior spots as needed. Barnes didn't get invited to Indianapolis, which stung the Hoosier-state hero, but he did get invited to the Big Ten Pro Day, where he threw up 40 bench reps, which if it were at Indy, would have tied Noah Prater for natural centers. Minnesota has Quiterrius Pearson waiting in the wings for Darren Willard, who himself is signed for the next 3 seasons. But given the unknown about the guard spots, it wouldn't be a shock to see Barnes competing for a starting role within his rookie deal.

QUARTERBACK DERRICK MARSHALL Penn State Round 7, Pick #194

Overshadowed by others in the midwest-centered Big Ten spotlight, Derrick Marshall quietly counted stats. When people watched Penn State highlights at a national level, it was always a clip of Richie Igwebuike hauling in a rainbow, but the clips always started with the ball effortlessly floating through the air. As a junior, Marshall passed for only just over 2600 yards, but notched 15 TDs to just 3 INT. During his senior season, he absolutely blew up, tallying 5124 yards in just 13 games, throwing 37 TDs to only 8 INT, and completing over 70% of his passes. Marshall didn't have the ESPN-known name like Theo Scribner, nor even the Big Ten Network-caliber of Wayne Murray, but he caught the eye of one team, who invited him to Eagan, Minnesota as one of their only five private workout players. Marshall is by no means ready to start NFL games, but his ability to meticulously place the football has the Vikings fired up over, yes, a 7th round QB. Christian Sinnock is well-cemented into being the starter, he's just 26 years old and already massively improving from where he was a season ago. But the Vikings backups - 2022 UDFAs Austin Bishop (started the season finale) and John Saffold (was primarily on the practice squad as the Vikings carried just 2 QBs for most of the season) left much to be desired. Minnesota lands their long-term backup, and quite frankly, one of their favorite players in the draft.

DEFENSIVE END ERIC KIESHNICK Minnesota Round 7, Pick #204

2022 1st-Team All-American

2022 3rd-Team All-Big Ten

Kieschnick, a run stopper by trade, tallied 10.5 sacks in 2022. He had 28 TFL in his senior season, and finished his career with 13.5 and 46, respectively. His Golden Gophers had the 7th-ranked rushing defense, and the 7th-ranked pass rushing defense, in 2022. At 6'3", 288, Big Key is hard for offensive tackles to move around. He slots in behind Mitch Rivers for now in depth chart hierarchy, though with time, could potentially push for a starting gig.

DEFENSIVEBACK LaDARIUS LOCKETT Ohio State Round 7, Pick #214

2021 2nd-Team All-Big Ten

LaDarius Lockett had 3 INT and 3 PD in 2022, which was down from his hype-worthy, exciting 5 INT junior season. Surprisingly strong for a corner, he had 22 bench reps at the combine. The Vikings lack a true scheme fit at backup free safety, and while Lockett will certainly get reps to compete for a nickel or dime role at corner, some Vikings insiders are reporting the team will look to try him at FS as well. 

KICKER JORDAN TRIPUCKA Virginia Tech Round 7, Pick #217

Minnesota struggled at kicking field goals all of 2022, cycling through 3 kickers in the offseason before signing UDFA Robin Reynolds, who manned the spot for the regular season. Reynolds finished the year going 24/34, just 70.58%, and missed 4 of his 36 XP attempts. Tripucka doesn't have any longer of leg than Reynolds (both hitting longs of 48 last year), but in the college game Tripucka hit 18 of 22 FGs and only missed one XP. The Vikings could have looked the UDFA route again, and its possible Tripucka would have fallen out of the draft to UDFA, but by drafting him, the message from the FO is clear: if Reynolds wants to win the job, he has to significantly outperform the rookie. Tripucka won't just be handed the job, Reynolds will stay with the team into the preseason at least, but the Vikings wanted to make clear to their special teams unit, and to any prospective FA, that everything is going to be competed for.

 

 

With the Draft season now in the books for another year, the Vikings turn to minicamps and offseason workouts ahead of the preseason. The Vikings managed to draft four 1st-Team All-Americans, which I didn't realize until I decided to add accolades to the post after initially writing up the blurbs. 

[PoopyRhinoPickle]

You got a good one in Elijah Greene!