2022 Mock Draft Tracker 4.0

Kyle Stackpole of CBS Sports

The predicted pick at No. 12: Ahmad Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati

With Kirk Cousins likely staying in Minnesota for at least one more season, the Vikings upgrade their uncertain and underwhelming secondary with Gardner. Based on what Minnesota has now, Gardner would likely step in as its No. 1 cornerback right away.

Click here for Stackpole’s full mock draft.

Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports

The predicted pick at No. 12: Derek Stingley, Jr., Cornerback, LSU

There’s an irony in the Vikings taking a corner in their first year after moving on from Rick Spielman, but it’s a void now. They simply didn’t make enough plays on the ball and allowed way too many yards to opposing receivers. Stingley has top-10 talent but also some questions after a few injury-marred seasons. Reuniting with Justin Jefferson should lead to some epic practice showdowns, too.

Click here for Edholm’s full mock draft.

Drae Harris of The Draft Network

The predicted pick at No. 12: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington

McDuffie will be a steady competitor who has the hips to mirror, agility, and ball skills to be effective as a starter in the NFL.

Click here for Harris’ full mock draft.

Damian Parson of The Draft Network

The predicted pick at No. 12: Andrew Booth, Jr., Cornerback, Clemson

A new regime has arrived with its own vision to build a contender. The secondary has struggled with recent failed draft picks and underwhelming signings. Andrew Booth, Jr., has CB1 potential. He boasts an incredible athletic profile with coverage versatility. He has the ball skills to make quarterbacks pay for testing him. This secondary needs a young player to build around, and Booth, Jr., can be that guy.

Click here for Parson’s full mock draft.

Cam Mellor of Pro Football Network

The predicted pick at No. 12: Ahmad Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati

A lockdown cornerback, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is the pick for the CB-needy Minnesota Vikings. Gardner didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage during three seasons at Cincinnati. Even more impressively, he didn’t allow a catch of more than 13 yards this past year. Gardner is sticky in coverage but also presents upside in defending the edge against the run.

Click here for Mellor’s full mock draft.

Oliver Hodgkinson of Pro Football Network

The predicted pick at No. 12: Ahmad Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati

The Minnesota Vikings have selected three first-round cornerbacks since 2015. None of them are currently on their roster. Past failures may cause Vikings fans to balk at adding another first-round defensive back. Still, with Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander out of contract and a distinct lack of depth and talent, the position currently sits as the main area of need ahead of free agency.

The selection of Ahmad Gardner in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft gives the Vikings a ball-hawking playmaker who adds a physical and explosive presence against the run and as a blitzer. If you haven’t heard that “Sauce” didn’t allow a single touchdown in his entire college career, then you must have been living under a rock with no cell signal throughout this process so far.

Click here for Hodgkinson’s full mock draft.