The Minnesota Vikings face an intriguing decision in the upcoming NFL draft regarding their edge position. They signed Marcus Davenport in free agency with Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith still on the roster.
However, the decision becomes intriguing when considering the team’s confidence in this group beyond the 2023 season. Hunter and Davenport are slated to be free agents in 2024 and Smith requested his release earlier this offseason.
While it feels unlikely for the Vikings to select an edge rusher early, they could take one with the position having question marks in the future. Here is a list of one potential edge rusher in each round of the 2023 Draft for the Vikings.
Round 1: Georgia’s Nolan Smith
Smith is an electrifying player who rose up draft boards after his impressive combine performance. He exudes violence as a prospect, relying on his physicality to excel in reps. Smith not only dominates in the run game but also as a pass rusher. He displays exceptional athleticism and possesses the potential to become a dominant edge rusher at the next level.
Round 2: LSU’s B.J. Ojulari
Ojulari demonstrates strong pass-rushing skills with excellent bend. He quickly makes his first move off the line of scrimmage. However, he could benefit from expanding his repertoire of pass-rush moves at the next level. With proper coaching, Ojulari is a day-two prospect who has the potential to develop into a reliable starter.
Round 3: Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey
Foskey displays impressive athleticism as a pass rusher, as evident from his time at Notre Dame. He possesses the speed to quickly reach the quarterback and the flexibility to maneuver past offensive linemen. He relies on his raw ability and speed to win his matchups. A team that aims to develop his skills and teach him more techniques could utilize his talents as a rotational pass rusher at the very least.
Round 4: Flordia’s Brenton Cox
Cox excels in run defense and has potential as a pass rusher. He possesses the ideal size and length for an edge rusher, along with the strength to back it up. However, he will need to hone his skills at the next level and strive for greater consistency. Teams will also have to be comfortable with the person, as Cox was kicked off of both the Georgia and Florida football teams. If you are comfortable with that, Cox has the potential to be a steal for a team on day three of the draft.
Round 5: Army’s Andre Carter II
Carter shows glimpses of potential as a raw edge rusher during his college years, displaying both power and speed. However, Carter struggled with putting it all together. If a team drafts him on day three, it would be a low-risk, high-reward selection. Carter has the potential to excel if he can further develop his pass-rush moves and refine his techniques.
Round 6: Eastern Michigan’s Jose Ramirez
Ramirez’s good size, strong initial burst and agility pose a challenge for defenders. Although he performed well against the competition he faced, there is room for improvement in other areas, such as gaining strength. Additionally, he did not face great competition. Ramirez is a promising prospect with potential for development and could become a reliable rotational pass rusher at the next level.
Round 7: Kansas’ Lonnie Phelps
Phelps has the ideal quickness and motor in a pass rusher. He has a natural instinct for beating defenders with his explosive first step. However, his size and strength have been a challenge. While strength can be developed at the next level, size is a limiting factor. Teams that draft Phelps will need to assist him in building muscle mass and hope that he can progress into a more reliable and consistent player.
