Mock Draft Monday: What are the Vikings needs after preseason opener?

The 2027 NFL Draft will take place in Washington, D.C. next year. In that draft, the Vikings still have their first-round pick, but a lot could happen in the next 9 months. Before then, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup for the team and who they may add to the roster through the draft in a class that many are saying could be one of generational wealth. While we will always look at mock drafts from analysts around the space, we will also keep up with our Mock Draft Mondays here on Vikings Wire. While this used to be just an exercise used for the Fall to introduce players, the 2027 NFL Draft class is too good to be contained to those select months. Instead, we are going to do them in the summer. As we progress through Summer Scouting, we'll look at the roster more closely in camp and share our opinions on players fans can watch this upcoming college season. So with that in mind, let's dive into a 3-Round 2027 NFL Mock Draft for the Vikings. Round 1: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State The Oklahoma State Cowboys were a one-win team in 2025, and with the revamped offense and coaching staff they have on their hands, led by transfer quarterback Drew Mestemaker, they will surpass that number. Mestemaker comes over from North Texas with his head coach, and with him he brings one of the more talented arms in the country. The Vikings either will need a quarterback because they will not want to pay Kyler Murray after a successful 2026, or they will move on from him because the season was disappointing. Either way, I like the pairing of Mestemaker and this coaching staff on the Vikings. Round 2: Koi Perich, S, Oregon The Vikings may have something on Jakobe Thomas, but to replace Harrison Smith, it may take a village. In the case of Oregon safety Koi Perich, this pick would be a homecoming as the Minnesota native and former Golden Gopher would become a Viking. Perich is one of the more versatile players in college football, and it makes him one of the best safeties. His patrolling the back end of the Vikings' defense would be something that would make this unit find another gear in the process. Round 3: LJ Martin, RB, BYU The Vikings seem to be keen on having a two-man backfield now with Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason. The team is high on day three pick Demond Claiborne, but if both Jones and Mason were to be gone in 2027, who joins him in the backfield? LJ Martin would be the perfect complement to him and allow for the Vikings to keep their two-headed monster approach. It keeps both players fresh; they have complementary styles, and it is well past time this team added a reliable running game. Round 3: Terrance Carter Jr., TE, Texas Tech The Vikings need some flash from the tight end position. Josh Oliver is reliable as a blocker and a redzone target, but they need someone who can provide those chunk plays. Terrance Carter Jr. is a proven receiving option and can turn upfield and help this position become more explosive and dynamic. Sadly, T.J. Hockenson has not been able to show he can bounce back from his previous knee injury, and it may be time for the Vikings to draft a replacement, like Carter. This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Mock Draft Monday: What are the Vikings needs after preseason opener?