Which Draft Pick Do The Minnesota Vikings Have In The 2023 NFL Draft?

The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2022 season with a new head coach. However, the team went 13-4 in Kevin O’Connell’s first year.

More importantly, the Vikings won the NFC North division for the first time since 2017. Minnesota earned the No. 3 seed in the playoffs and a first-round matchup against the New York Giants.

Unfortunately, the Vikings struggled against the Giants. After scoring the first touchdown of the game, Minnesota got outscored 31-17. They ultimately lost the game 31-24.

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What Draft Picks Do The Minnesota Vikings Own?

Following their first-round exit from the playoffs, the Vikings will have the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Minnesota has only four picks in this year’s draft after making some trades over the past year. Their second-round belongs to the Detroit Lions as part of the midseason T.J. Hockenson deal.

Last year the Vikings made a couple of massive draft-day trades. They sent the 12th and 46th overall picks to the Lions for the 32nd, 34th, and 66th overall picks. Minnesota then traded the 34th overall pick to the Green Bay Packers for the 53rd and 59th overall picks.

After making several trades a year ago, fans shouldn’t be surprised if the team moves around again on draft day this year.

Who Could The Minnesota Vikings Draft In The First Round?

On paper, the Vikings don’t have many holes. However, the one under the radar need is wide receiver. Justin Jefferson is a superstar and will reset the wide receiver market this offseason. However, the rest of the receiving core is lackluster.

Adam Thielen has been an excellent player in his career. However, the veteran has shown signs of regression at 32 years old. With a massive cap hit, Minnesota could release or trade Thielen this offseason. The team would save $13.4 million in cap space with a post-June 1 release or trade.

Whether Thielen is back next season or not, the Vikings need to upgrade their wide receiver unit. An ideal addition would be Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

While he struggled with injuries this past season, the Buckeye receiver was a force in 2021. Despite playing behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, Smith-Njigba had 95 receptions for 1,606 receiving yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.

Pairing Jefferson with Smith-Njigba would give Kirk Cousins two dangerous and explosive young wide receivers.

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