Notre Dame football: 2023 NFL Draft predictions

Notre Dame football – S Brandon Joseph pick # 158 – Minnesota Vikings

I’ll admit, this is wishful thinking for me as a Vikings fan, but again I think he would fit the Vikings perfectly given Harrison Smith’s limited years. Though he struggled with injuries during his time with the Notre Dame football program, Brandon Joseph is a stud at safety. Yes, the Vikings just drafted Lewis Cine last year out of Georgia, but he’s coming off a horrific leg injury.

Joseph has a whopping 10 career interceptions, and while he did play in 10 games last year and only recorded 1 pick, he only played just over 450 snaps. Nevertheless, when he gets the opportunity, he makes plays; there’s no doubt about that.

In arguably his best season, Joseph had 6 interceptions and 2 pass deflections in his freshman season at Northwestern. The following season, again at Northwestern, Joseph had 79 tackles, 3 interceptions, 4 passes defended, and a fumble recovery. Last year was undoubtedly his least successful in terms of statistics, but he has the ability to be a starting NFL safety.

For the Vikings, many expected a more significant year from Cam Bynum than what they saw from him. And while Cine was hurt, the same can be said for Harrison Smith. With the future so uncertain at one of the most important positions on the field, Joseph could be a tremendous pick for the Minnesota Vikings.

The one argument against Joseph would be that he’s most valuable in coverage, and with Brain Flores as the new defensive coordinator, that may be difficult. Flores loves to throw the kitchen sink at opponents and has no issue blitzing the safeties. For what it’s worth to any Vikings fans out there, that’s why Cine, if healthy, could have a massive season in Minnesota next year.

Still, the Vikings desperately need to get some better coverage defenders on the field this upcoming season. Brandon Joseph would help with precisely that.