The Minnesota Vikings selected two interior defensive linemen in last month’s draft. Could they look to complement those pieces with a young edge rusher in next year’s draft?
We have yet to see this year’s crop of rookies play a single snap, but that hasn’t stopped CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards from releasing a way-too-early 2027 mock draft. He has the Vikings drafting Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons with the 12th overall pick.
“If Colin Simmons were 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he may be the first non-quarterback drafted,” Edwards writes. “Although incredibly talented, he is a bit smaller, and that renders him available a little later than he would have been in this year’s draft.”
While the possibility of adding a young EDGE to pair with Dallas Turner sounds enticing, the idea of the Vikings picking at 12 would likely mean the 2026 season would be a disaster. There could be a change in leadership at the head coach position, giving their potential new general manager a valuable pick high in the draft.
This could also mean that Van Ginkel, set to be 32 when the 2027 season begins, would either not be on the team or be in a reduced role. That could make edge a high priority heading into next offseason, whether or not Turner proves capable of replacing Greenard.
Simmons could be the perfect player to pair with him, giving the Vikings a talented, young defensive front alongside Caleb Banks and Dominique Orange. Let’s just hope Minnesota can land Simmons with a later pick after a postseason run.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings projected to land Texas’ Colin Simmons in 2027 NFL Draft