The Minnesota Vikings made leaps and bounds in Kevin O’Connell’s first season as head coach. The Vikings went 13-4, a five-game improvement from the year prior, and won the NFC North for the first time since 2017. 

Despite the record and ascension, there were glaring issues that, if left unaddressed, could keep Minnesota from taking the next step. 

Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson has used his resources of NFL contacts developed over 20 years covering the league and the NFL Draft to create his hypothetical NFL Futures Odds on who gets selected 23rd by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Minnesota Vikings 1st Round Pick Odds (No. 23)

Who Will The Vikings Take In The NFL Draft?

Justin Jefferson might be the best receiver in the game. But the team’s No. 2, Adam Thielen, signed with the Carolina Panthers. K.J. Osborn (60 receptions, 650 yards in 17 games) is the only available No. 2 candidate and he's on the final year of his contract. The Vikings could use another target for Kirk Cousins, who last year attempted 37.8 passes per game and finished with 4,547 yards. 

At No. 23 in the NFL Draft, there will be solid options at WR. There are 3-4 receivers expected to be taken in the opening round. It’s possible 2-3 of them will still be available, but just as possible they’ll all be gone. 

There is no clear consensus for the order among Jaxon Smith-Njigba of Ohio State, Jordan Addison of USC, Quentin Johnston of TCU and Zay Flowers of Boston College. Jalin Hyatt of Tennessee could also go. 

Minnesota is available around +4500 to win Super Bowl 58 on NFL futures markets. Adding another playmaker on either side of the ball would go a long way to adding value to that number.

Jordan Addison Odds to Join the Minnesota Vikings

Smith-Njigba, Addison, and Flowers are likely the top-three prospects in the class, and thus the most likely to be off the board. But it’s also possible some of them are available. 

Smith-Njigba may normally be considered the top prospect in the class, but injury concerns have pushed him down the board. Still, Addison’s skill and availability makes him the favorite for Minnesota. 

Addison excelled at Pittsburgh in 2021, earning first-team All-American honors. He transferred to USC and was an All-Pac 12 performer there as well. Addison’s speed and agility combo makes him a tough guard and is expected to translate well at the next level. 

It should be a top priority to ensure Jefferson doesn’t have to endure double teams on every snap. Addison does that. 

Flowers is just 5-foot-9 but is fast and shifty, and was a dual-threat receiver-rusher talent at B.C. 

As much as the team needs an extra passing target, cornerback is the most pressing issue. The Vikings ranked second-to-last in yards and passing yards allowed. They inked Cardinals CB Byron Murphy this offseason, but more work is needed to shore up that unit. 

Like receiver, corner is an area that provides late-first-round depth. Christian Gonzalez of Oregon should go Top 10, but some of the rest of the elite CB tier could be available when the Vikings are on the clock.

Joey Porter Jr. of Penn State is the least likely to be around then, but Deonte Banks of Maryland and Cam Smith of South Carolina should be. Banks is a 6-footer who leaps off the page with his athleticism and might be the one CB on the board available that could get Minnesota off taking a WR at No. 23. 

Defensive tackle is the other key area of need. Bryan Breese of Clemson and Calijah Kancey of Pittsburgh each graded out as plus-level starters and might be too tempting to pass up to shore up a huge problem spot in 2022. 

The Field fills needs that aren’t as pressing but might offer the best available option that late in the first round. Linebackers Drew Sanders of Arkansas and Trenton Simpson of Clemson may be the pick, and Alabama safety Brian Branch is the best at his position. He could go anywhere from 15th to the second round. 

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Complete list of Vikings 2023 Draft Picks

• Round 1 (Pick 23)
• Round 3 (Pick 87)
• Round 4 (Pick 119, from DET)
• Round 5 (Pick 158)
• Round 6 (Pick 211, compensatory)