12. Vikings – Ahmad Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
Gardner was the AAC’s best defensive player in 2021 and was named first-team all-conference in all three of his seasons with the Bearcats. Gardner, who is 6’3″, provides tremendous size and physicality to the cornerback position, giving him a lot of upside and the type of corner who can be significant to an NFL defense for a long time. Cornerback isn’t a significant necessity for the Vikings with Patrick Peterson in the mix. However, when completely recovered, the remainder of their defense is in good shape. If Gardner can be added as a second top-tier cornerback, Minnesota’s defense might be something remarkable next season.
12. Vikings – Ahmad Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
13. Texans (From Browns) – Jordan Davis, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
Davis resembles a unicorn in many ways. A player his size (6’6″ and 340 pounds) should not be able to move as well as he can. As a result, Davis is one of the top interior linemen available in the draft and a player who will have an effect in the NFL. Lovie Smith finally gets a great defensive player after picking an offensive lineman earlier in the draft. Nobody is claiming that Davis will make Houston fans forget about J.J. Watt, but he will undoubtedly help fill that vacuum and make a difference at the line of scrimmage for the Texans.
13. Texans (from Browns) – Jordan Davis, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
