NFL Draft Recap: Minnesota Vikings: 2023 NFL Draft Outlook

May 5, 2023

Who did the Vikings select in the 2023 NFL Draft? How did the Vikings do on draft night? What rookies will have a fantasy impact?

The Minnesota Vikings posted a 13-4 record during its 2022 campaign, but the defense was a major weakness for the Purple and Gold. That said, many expected the franchise to focus on the defensive side of the ball early and often, but they took an offensive player in round one.

Nonetheless, their first-round selection could have one of the biggest fantasy football impacts among all rookies.

Who did the Vikings take during the 2023 NFL Draft and will any of their picks make a fantasy impact? Let's dive in.

Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks

First Round (No. 23): Jordan Addison - WR, USC

Third Round (No. 102): Mekhi Blackmon - CB, USC

Fourth Round (No. 134): Jay Ward - S, LSU

Fifth Round (No. 141): Jaquelin Roy - NT, LSU

Fifth Round (No. 164): Jaren Hall - QB, BYU

Seventh Round (No. 222): DeWayne McBride - RB, UAB

Minnesota didn't take long to replace longtime Viking Adam Thielen with a fresh youthful wideout. In today's NFL, having more than one high-end receivers is usually paramount for success, so it's tough to blame them for taking Addison, despite the holes in the secondary.

The next two picks were defensive backs and a nose tackle before taking flyers on a quarterback and running back.

Overall, Minnesota found good value where the players were selected but didn't address the most glaring needs on its roster.

Vikings 2023 Rookie Fantasy Impact

The Vikings' secondary projects to be putrid once again, which could benefit Jordan Addison. A poor defense means Kirk Cousins and the offense will be involved in shootouts, meaning more passing volume overall. While Justin Jefferson is the locked-in No. 1 wide receiver, there could be plenty of meat on the bone for Addison alongside tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Fellow first-round wideouts Jaxon Smith Njigba (Seahawks) and Quentin Johnston (Chagers) both landed on teams with a pair of premium wideouts and Zay Flowers is set to join a Baltimore offense with Mark Andrews, Odell Beckham Jr., and Rashod Bateman. Addison clearly got the best landing spot for year one production -- whether you view him as the fourth-best receiver in the class or not. Addison will likely be the highest-drafted rookie wideout in 2023 fantasy drafts and should make the biggest impact among rookies not named Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs.

Jaren Hall won't be an interesting fantasy asset unless Cousins gets injured. DeWayne McBride could have some value, but a few things have to go his way. He has to make the roster by beating out Ty Chandler and Dalvin Cook likely needs to be traded. There's a path for him to enter the season as the Vikings' RB2 behind Alexander Mattison, but there are a lot of contingencies.

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