Minnesota was perhaps the most dramatic team in the NFL in 2022. On the field, the Vikings consistently found themselves in close games down the stretch, seemingly finding ways to win no matter how much the odds were stacked against them.
The calendar flipped to 2023, but the same problems derailed a once-promising Vikings' season. A poor defense was too much to overcome, but the team was still able to walk away encouraged by a 13-win season in a transition year. Coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah injected new life into what felt like a stale organization before 2022.
Off the field though, the Vikings have been anything but dramatic since the clock ran out on their season.
As they turn the page in this "competitive rebuild," the Vikings still have their sights set on the NFC North crown. The next step is continuing to find quality young talent and it all begins in Kansas City this weekend.
TSN'S NFL DRAFT HQ
Live picks tracker | 7-round mock draft | Top 200 big board
Here's a look at the Vikings' picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Vikings draft picks 2023: When does Minnesota pick?
- Round 1, Pick 23: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
- Round 3, Pick 102: Mekhi Blackmon, CB, USC
- Round 4, Pick 134: Jay Ward, CB, LSU
- Round 5, Pick 141: Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
- Round 5, Pick 164: Jaren Hall, QB, BYU
- Round 7, Pick 222: DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB
LIVE: Grades & analysis for every pick in 2023 NFL Draft
Vikings NFL Draft order 2023
| Round | Pick |
| 1 | 23 |
| 3 | 102 (from 49ers) |
| 4 | 134 (from Lions) |
| 5 | 141 (from Colts) |
| 5 | 164 (from 49ers) |
| 7 | 222 (from 49ers) |
MORE: Latest 2023 NFL Draft leaks, news and trade buzz
Vikings NFL draft needs
- Wide receiver: Justin Jefferson is a great receiver, but he cannot do it all alone. His running mate, Adam Thielen, signed with the Panthers, leaving K.J. Osborn and Jalen Reagor as the No. 2 and No. 3 receivers in the Minnesota offense. With 128 catches, 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, Jefferson played a huge role for the Vikings, but if the position goes unaddressed, it's unlikely Vikings fans would see another dominant season from No. 18. Expect wide receiver to be a priority.
- Linebacker: It's no secret that the Vikings defense struggled in 2022 and linebacker play certainly contributed to that. They struggled in coverage and will have to replace Eric Kendricks as the team was shredded by Daniel Jones and the Giants in their Super Wild Card Weekend matchup.
- Cornerback: Possibly the biggest issue on the Vikings in 2022 was their horrendous play in the secondary. The team added Cardinals free agent Byron Murphy, but will see almost an entirely new cornerback depth chart in 2023. Patrick Peterson, Cameron Dantzler, Duke Shelley and Chandon Sullivan led the group in snaps last year. All four of them are gone from Minnesota's roster.
Vikings mock draft 2023
Here are the latest 2023 NFL Draft projections for the Vikings, according to Vinnie Iyer's seven-round mock draft.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 23 | Trenton Simpson | LB | Clemson |
| 3 | 87 | Deonte Banks | CB | Maryland |
| 4 | 119 | Rakim Jarrett | WR | Maryland |
| 5 | 158 | Jalen Redmond | EDGE/DT | Oklahoma |
| 6 | 211 | Michael Wilson | WR | Stanford |
