Vikings Select Star Offensive Lineman in Recent Mock Draft

It’s never too early to start looking ahead, and the NFL Draft is an important tool for all teams. As such, we can start to project who teams could land in upcoming years via NFL Mock Drafts. In this particular mock, the Minnesota Vikings selected Iowa left tackle Trevor Lauck. It wouldn’t be a flashy addition, but Lauck would give them a reliable protector for their future signal-caller.

“With the way the J.J. McCarthy situation is playing out, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikings preferred to keep going the veteran route at quarterback rather than spending a first-round pick on another developmental prospect,” Easterling wrote. “Instead, they could bolster the future of the offensive line with Lauck, the latest in a long line of studs to come from this program.”

As Easterling notes, Lauck is the next star at Iowa, a program that consistently produces elite offensive linemen. The six-foot-five, 314-pound junior had a spectacular sophomore season in 2025 at left tackle, not allowing any sacks and only six pressures. His combination of staggering power, elite movement skills, and technical refinement makes him an intriguing prospect who will likely enter first-round conversations next April.

Lauck’s fantastic athleticism is evident both as a run blocker and pass protector. He’s a bulldozer in the run game and has a nasty streak, which helps him easily displace defensive linemen and open up a gap for his running back. Similarly, he’s sound in pass protection and uses his sturdy anchor and lateral agility to mitigate an opposing edge rusher.

There are plenty of athletic tackles in the league; what separates Lauck is his amazing technique. He has iron-clad hands that don’t relinquish when he reaches someone's chest. His punch timing and accuracy are perfect, allowing him to disrupt the lineman’s pass rush. Additionally, he has quick footwork and never gets off-balance. This lets him thrive against a variety of pass rushers, including speed rushers, pure power players, and technically sound defenders.

These aforementioned qualities should excite the Vikings. Although Christian Darrisaw is uber-talented, he’s struggled to remain healthy. As a result, it would make sense to invest in the position and give whoever their long-term quarterback is, whether it’s J.J. McCarthy, Kyler Murray, or a reliable protector.

As always, it’s far too early for these exercises to be accurate. Plenty will change throughout the season with the Vikings and Lauck. However, they are important for helping the fanbase identify prospects to watch in 2026. So, this isn’t a declaration saying they must draft Lauck, but instead that he’s an enticing prospect that could resurface next April.