The Minnesota Vikings emerge from their bye week 5-0 as one of the last two undefeated teams in the NFL. While the results have been perfect thus far, there are still some issues that need to be addressed in both the short and long term. So, before the Vikings commence the next section of their schedule, we asked the PFF 2027 NFL Mock Draft simulator what the Vikings might do in April, and here's what it came back with.
Round 1, Pick 30: S Kingston Lopa, Cal
Kingston Lopa is one of the biggest risers in the 2027 NFL Draft through the first half of the college football season. He wasn't high on many draft boards after barely playing at Oregon before his transfer, but now the third-year safety is a potential first-round pick.
Lopa has five interceptions through six games with 104 return yards and a touchdown. He also has 31 tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a pass defended. At 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Lopa has the size needed to play the modern NFL safety position and the ballhawking skills that every defensive coordinator is looking for,
And believe it or not, Harrison Smith is going to retire at some point, so next offseason, safety will likely be a position of need for the Vikings. If Lopa continues his playmaking ways, and the Vikings pick around No. 30, as they do in this 2027 NFL Mock Draft, then a player like this Cal Bear would make a lot of sense.
Round 2, Pick 62: CB Evan Johnson, BYU
The PFF 2027 NFL Mock Draft simulator may have gotten a little ahead of itself on this one, but we can see where it is coming from. The Vikings would happily add to their cornerback depth in April, and adding a player as early as Round 2 is not out of the question. Brian Fliores' defense is the strength of this team, so making the D even stronger for next season makes sense.
This is probably too early for Evan Johnson, though. The BYU cornerback excels in zone coverage and could flourish in a system like the one Flores runs. However, at 6-feet, 185 pounds, and without top-end athleticism, there will likely be better CBs available at this point. That said, Johnson did lead the Big 12 with five INTs last season, so if he can improve on his one in 2026, he could climb up the board.
Round 3, Pick 77: DT Ahmad Moten Sr., Miami
If the PFF 2027 NFL Mock Draft simulator flipped Ahmad Moten Sr. and Johnson, that would make a lot more sense. The Miami defensive tackle is likely a second-round, or even a late first-round pick in the next draft. Moten is an excellent all-around DT who is good at both run-stopping and pushing the pocket on the pass rush, but not elite at either skill. At 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, he is quick and on the smaller side, but his pass-rush is solid now and could improve with the right coaching.
Minnesota took Caleb Banks and Dominique Orange in the 2026 NFL Draft, but you can never have enough beef up front. Plus, Banks is an athletic gap-shooter, while Orange is an enormous run-stuffer. Adding an all-around DT who can play alongside either one of these players, depending on the situation, would make a lot of sense.
Round 3, Pick 94: RB Hollywood Smothers, Texas
Just like with Harrison Smith, the Vikings are going to have to move on from Aaron Jones at some point. To help with that transition, Texas Longhorns running back Hollywood Smothers would make a lot of sense with the team's second third-round pick next year.
Smothers could be a lead back at the next level. He must improve his pass-blocking and receiving, but what rookie backs don't? What Smothers has shown at Texas, NC State, and Oklahoma is that he is a talented back running between the tackles, but most importantly, he has the explosiveness to hit home runs when given the ball.
Round 5, Pick 30: S Koi Perich, Oregon
At 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, Oregon's Koi Perich is another versatile safety who is having a solid season and was one of the reasons that Lopa couldn't get on the field for the Ducks. In addition to that, the big safety plays downhill and can be a banger close to the line. As far as DB rotation picks go, this would be a good one.
Round 5, Pick 30: G Brandon Baker, Texas
Brandon Baker probably won't be a starting NFL guard on Week 1 of the 2027 season, but when drafting on Day 3, you want to look for players who have at least one elite skill. If you can build on that, then you may have something. What Baker does better than anything else is pass blocking. He hasn't given up a sack in over 500 passing situations, and that makes him a player who could compete for a backup role on the line and someday be a starter.
Article Continues BelowRound 5, Pick 30: QB Josh Hoover, Indiana
It would make sense for the Vikings to grab a QB to ultimately replace Kyler Murray at some point in the 2027 NFL Draft, and if they do, it will likely come earlier than Round 5. There is a world, though, where Murray plays well the rest of this season and a deeper, developmental QB becomes more of a need than a potential starter in the next season or two.
Josh Hoover led the Big 12 with 13 interceptions last season, but in his time at Indiana, he has yet to throw a pick. Hoover is smart, accurate, and now with the Hoosiers, he is taking care of the ball. He probably projects as an NFL backup, but maybe Kevin O'Connell can get more out of him.
Round 6, Pick 30: WR DeAndre Moore Jr., Colorado
Round 6, Pick 30: WR Ian Strong, California
The Vikings end this 2027 NFL Mick Draft with two wide receivers to add depth to their talented but thin WR room. After Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the dropoff is pretty substantial, so adding late-round pass-catchers makes sense. In DeAndre Moore Jr., Minnesota would get a 6-foot YAC player who can play in different spots and make plays happen with the ball in his hands.
Ian Strong is the polar opposite. The 6-foot-4 wideout is a big target who is also an excellent route-runner. He would be a nice target in the red zone for Murray (or Hoover?) down the line.