The Minnesota Vikings are in an interesting place for the upcoming draft. They could go a lot of different directions, but one common theme I expect to see is the Vikings taking a wide receiver.
In his first mock draft of the season, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had the Vikings selecting Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
It's time. Mock Draft 1.0 🚨
🔷Panthers, Colts get their QB
🔷LOVE what the Lions do
🔷Eagles break a 1st round trend
🔷Cowboys nab a rising CB
🔷Plus, additional picks for non-1st round teamshttps://t.co/GUh0IXw4My— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 30, 2022
As a player, Smith-Njigba was a dominant force in 2021, including a record-setting Rose Bowl 347 yards and three touchdowns on 15 receptions.
Here is what Brugler had to say about sending Smith-Njigba to the Vikings.
“The Adam Thielen contract is tricky, but the Vikings could clearly use an upgrade there. Although it has been a lost season for Jaxon Smith-Njigba because of a hamstring injury, he has more than enough tape for teams to understand what he offers. With his route prowess and ball skills, he would be a great fit for what Kevin O’Connell wants the Vikings to be on offense.”
Will Smith-Njigba fit the prototype of what Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah? That is yet to be seen, but based on talent along, he would be a tremendous selection for the Vikings.