The 2021 NFL season did not end how the Minnesota Vikings were hoping it would. Once again, they were just short of making the playoffs and are headed into an offseason needing upgrades in free agency and the 2022 NFL Draft. Head coach Mike Zimmer is gone and so is general manager Rick Spielman, which signals a new direction for the franchise.
One of the biggest questions of the offseason for the Vikings will be what they should do at quarterback. Kirk Cousins is a good player, but many don’t believe he is the right guy to start the new chapter of the franchise with. They could look to make a move for a new quarterback or potentially even give second-year player Kellen Mond a chance.
After that, the Vikings will need to figure out a way to improve their defense. Not long ago, Minnesota was one of the strongest defenses in the NFL. That certainly isn’t the case anymore.
CBS Sports sees the Vikings looking to make a big improvement to their defense in the 2022 NFL Draft. They have Minnesota selecting Clemson standout cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. in the first round.
The team already parted ways with 2020 first-rounder Jeff Gladney, and Patrick Peterson is on a one-year deal. Wide receiver could also be an option here but stockpiling defensive backs is never a bad strategy. Booth has all the athleticism and tools to be special, and he balled out for Clemson this season.
Booth is coming off of a strong season with the Tigers, racking up 37 total tackles to go along with three interceptions and five defended passes. He possesses the ball skills and instincts to become a playmaker in the NFL. There are some things he needs to work on, but this pick would be a good one.
Playing in a division with Aaron Rodgers is going to be a headache for any defense. But, the Vikings still need to do a better job of making things difficult on Green Bay. Justin Fields is also going to improve and could become a major threat to Minnesota.
All of that makes it important for the Vikings to go after defensive improvements in the NFL Draft. Booth may not be a superstar right off the bat, but he is the kind of young talent that could develop into being a No. 1 corner in the fairly near future.
