EAGAN, Minn. -- The 2023 NFL draft concluded in downtown Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday, capping off all 259 picks.

ESPN provides pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Vikings’ selections, beginning with USC wide receiver Jordan Addison, who the No. 23 overall pick.

A look at each of Minnesota's scheduled selections:

Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart

Round 1, No. 23 overall: Jordan Addison, WR, USC

My take: Wide receiver was hardly a need position for the Vikings, with superstar Justin Jefferson in place and K.J. Osborn seemingly ready to step into the No. 2 role vacated by Adam Thielen. But Osborn is entering the final year of his contract, and the Vikings have been focused all offseason on collecting enough weapons to burn the extra coverage that Jefferson often sees.

Coach Kevin O'Connell feels confident that Addison can learn all three receiver positions, which will help the Vikings move Jefferson to different spots on the field.

The decision to focus on Addison over a cornerback such as Maryland's Deonte Banks -- or even a quarterback -- revealed a few important facts.

First, the Vikings are clearly trusting two 2022 draft picks -- Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans -- to be in the mix at cornerback. Second, they were realistic about their ability to find an heir apparent for quarterback Kirk Cousins. It's possible, but far from a certainty, that the Vikings will use one of their four remaining picks on a developmental quarterback.

"You've got to bet on your ability if you take it outside of [the top of the first round] to identify, develop," general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. "And also there are plenty of other avenues. We know that's the most important position. We have an incredibly good one right now and we'll see what happens after that."

Key stat: Addison scored six touchdowns on screen passes over the past two seasons, the most in the FBS during that span. The Vikings were an active screen team under O'Connell last season, tying for the 11th-most such plays (43) and scoring an NFL-high three touchdowns off them. They didn't necessarily draft Addison to focus on screen plays, but his success in running them is a significant part of his fit with the team.

When will he get regular playing time? It would be a disappointment if Addison is not part of the Vikings' three-receiver set to open the season. And that would make Addison a quasi-starter based on the way the Vikings deployed their scheme under O'Connell last season. They used three-receiver sets, via "11" personnel, on 825 plays, the fourth-most in the league. Jefferson and Osborn seem set for two of those positions, leaving Addison to compete with Jalen Nailor, Jalen Reagor and journeyman free agent Brandon Powell for that third spot.

Round 3, No. 102 overall: Mekhi Blackmon, CB, USC

My take: There's no doubt the Vikings were in need of cornerback depth. Five of their 2022 cornerbacks have either departed or remain unsigned. But the way this draft shook out, the Vikings only had one opportunity to make a selection in the first 101 picks. They used the first on USC wide receiver Jordan Addison, and then circled back to take Blackmon at No. 102.

Blackmon is one of five cornerbacks on their roster who will be either a rookie, first- or second-year player. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acknowledged there are a lot of "unknowns" about the group, but he has certainly re-stocked the position for new defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Blackmon and Addison were not only college teammates. Both made pre-draft visits to the Vikings' practice facility for a day of interviews and discussions with coaches, scouts and administrators. Adofo-Mensah said that, in his mind, prospects can "fake it" during a 15-minute combine interview -- but not during a full facility visit.

Key stat: Blackmon was a strong tackler for the Trojans last season. He missed only three tackles on 864 snaps in 2022 for a 95.3 tackle rate, the highest in the Pac-12. That'll be an important skill if it can translate at the NFL level, given how often the Vikings are likely to have their cornerbacks in press man coverage.

Round 4, No. 119 overall (from Philadlphia): Jay Ward, CB/S, LSU

My take: The Vikings entered this draft with cornerback as their top position of need and used two of their top three picks in the draft to address it. The Vikings have emphasized versatility among the cornerbacks they've added during an overhaul of the position this offseason, and Ward has experience playing not only outside cornerback and in the nickel but also at safety. In fact, he was the only player in the FBS last season to get at least 150 snaps at safety, slot corner and wide corner. He was also an excellent special teams player.

Round 5, No. 141 overall (from Las Vegas via Indianapolis), Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU

My take: It was more than reasonable to expect the Vikings to draft a defensive tackle at some point following the departure of starter Dalvin Tomlinson via free agency. They signed veteran Dean Lowry to replace Tomlinson, but there was need for additional depth. Roy was a starter for one season in college and figures to need some development, but the Vikings liked Roy well enough to trade high into the fifth round to get him. Whether coincidence or not, Roy was the second consecutive LSU player the Vikings selected after defensive back Jay Ward.

Round 5, No. 158 overall: Jaren Hall, QB, BYU

My take: With starter Kirk Cousins and backup Nick Mullens both on expiring contracts, the only real question this week was whether the Vikings would draft a potential replacement for Cousins or Mullens. Hall figures toward the latter job description after a college career in which he demonstrated some NFL-starter traits on the field but struggled to avoid injuries. The Vikings loved his intangibles, though. During their combine interview, they showed him a BYU play where they knew the receiver ran the wrong route. "We were trying to give him a chance to say, 'This player was wrong,'" director of college scouting Mike Sholiton said. "All he was willing to say is, 'I got to make it right.'"

Round 7, No. 222 overall: DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB

My take: The Vikings aren't big believers in selecting running backs high in the draft, and one of the reasons is that players like McBride are available in the seventh round. McBride led the FBS in rushing yards last season (1,713), was second with 19 touchdowns and will join a position group that could be in transition given starter Dalvin Cook's uncertain status. The Vikings aren't likely to need help at kickoff returner as long as Pro Bowler Kene Nwangwu remains on the roster, but McBride is an intriguing developmental candidate as part of the group that would take over for Cook.