2023 NFL Mock Draft: Minnesota Vikings pick pass rusher

Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa

This pick would be a surprise and perhaps not be a popular one in Minny if this came to pass on draft night, so allow me to get into my thought process before I talk about the prospect himself. After a quick glance at their depth chart, you could make the argument that the Vikings’ deepest position in 2023 is their outside linebacker/edge group. They have strong veteran starters in Marcus Davenport, Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter to go along with a pair of talented young depth rushers in DJ Wonnum and Patrick Jones II. However, once you dig a little deeper, you’ll see that three of the five players above (Hunter, Davenport, and Wonnum) are on expiring contracts…