The 2027 NFL Draft is still nine months away, but the Minnesota Vikings are already looking ahead, and their preseason priorities are clear.
The Vikings will have their first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, which will take place in Washington, D.C. next year. The team's focus is on bolstering their secondary, with a need for a true CB1 to complement Byron Murphy Jr. in the nickel position.
The Vikings have already added James Pierre in free agency, but they are still searching for a top corner opposite him. According to Vikings Wire, Ellis Robinson IV from Georgia is a top prospect who could fill this role if he falls to the Vikings in the first round.
Robinson is a big corner with great ball skills and instincts, and projects to be the best Georgia cornerback prospect in some time. He would be a key addition to the Vikings' secondary, which is still looking to find its footing.
Meanwhile, the Vikings are also looking to upgrade their safety position in the second round. Ty Benefield from LSU is a prospect who can play the pass and defend the run out of the safety position. He would work well alongside Joshua Metellus on the backend of the Vikings' defense.
Benefield transferred from Boise State to LSU, where he has the opportunity to showcase his skills more and become a big riser through the fall and into the draft process. The Vikings need a safety who can do it all, and Benefield could be the answer.
In the third round, the Vikings are looking at running back Mark Fletcher Jr. from Miami (FL). Fletcher helped the Hurricanes' offense run all the way to the National Championship in January, and he confirmed himself as one of the top runners in college football.
Fletcher has some questions as a prospect, but he could easily be a part of a handcuff with someone like Demond Claiborne in Minnesota. The Vikings are still looking to find a running back who can be a workhorse for the team.
Later, in the same round, the Vikings are considering linebacker Whit Weeks from LSU. Weeks is a bit of a throwback linebacker type and could be a replacement for Blake Cashman alongside Eric Wilson. He can protect the run with his range and also shows a good knack for finding the ball in the air.
Weeks has his flaws, but putting him alongside someone like Wilson will help cover up some of those while Brian Flores develops him further. The Vikings are looking to find a linebacker who can be a solid contributor to the team.
On Monday, the Vikings will be participating in their Mock Draft, where they will be sharing their opinions on players that fans can watch this upcoming college season. The 2027 NFL Draft class is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory, and the Vikings are eager to see who will be joining their roster.
Source: Yahoo Sports