04-08-2019, 12:58 AM
1 (18) - Jeffery Simmons (DT / Mississippi State) : There is a select group of fans who are going to be disappointed if the Vikings pick is not O-line in round one. It's a delicate balance. As the draft nears its becoming more unlikely that Taylor, Dillard, or Williams make it to #18. Either of those three should be the pick otherwise. If not, Jeffery Simmons should become a dark horse consideration. Aside from an ACL injury during the pre-draft process he is easily a top 5 player in this class and would become a game wrecker at 3-tech in MN's D-line. As a true junior and a 1st round selection which comes with a 5th round option, there is still tremendous value if he does not play at all in 2019. More likely he is back in a rotation in early December. Additional questions surrounded Jeffery due to an off-field incident in high school but was told most teams passed him due to owning up to the incident, no additional incidents, and the trust he's earned from the coaching staff at Miss St.
2 (34) via IND - Chris Lindstrom (OG / Boston College) : Although a trade has not made to date and I still find it somewhat unlikely the Vikings deal Trae Waynes they find a trade partner in the Colts in this mock after the first day of the draft. The Vikings trade up from 2(50) to 2(34) and also receive 4(129). Netted out this is roughly the equivalent of a high 3rd round selection. The Vikings then opt to choose a day one starter at LG in Chris Lindstrom. Lindstrom is one of the most athletic interior lineman in the class and has no immediate holes in his game that would prevent him from sliding in at LG. As a player he is a glass eater and wants to bully the opposition. The mentality is clearly something the Vikings need after a passive group sleep walked through the 2018 season.
2 (50) - Traded 2(50) to IND for 2(34) & 4(129)
3 (81) - Isaiah Johnson (CB / Houston) : If the Vikings opt to move Trae Waynes during the draft the team will need to prepare a fallback option. Although early, Isaiah Johnson could be a steal at this juncture under the toolage of Zimmer. Johnson is a WR convert who is new to the CB position. Although he picked it up rather quickly due to his supreme athleticism he is not nearly instinctual enough and needs to continue learning the nuances of the CB position. Basically, he gets by with his physical skill-set rather than having a gameplan on how he wants to attack a receiver. The Vikings have had some luck drafting traits overproduction in the past (Danielle Hunter) and could reap the benefits once again with Johnson. If he can't put it all together under Mike Zimmer, he couldn't under anyone else. With Zimmer on the Vikings roster it tips the risk v. reward in their favor.
4 (120) - Drew Sample (TE / Washington) : On draft weekends I wouldn't be shocked to see the Vikings select a TE as early as round one. If I were to put my money on it I actually would bet they are walking out with one on the 2nd day of the draft and don't wait until early day 3. None the less they do in this mock and opt for Drew Sample. Sample is more of a project as a receiver but should excel in the NFL if given the chance to develop as a route runner. The Washing offense limited his ability to attack down the field but his athletic profile would suggest he is capable if put in the appropriate role. With Kyle Rudolph and David Morgan both in the final years of their current contracts this buys them some time. The good news is that Sample likely can play some rotational snaps and offer upside on special teams in year one.
4 (129) via IND - Terrill Hanks (OLB / New Mexico St.) : There is no doubt the Vikings were happy with their depth at LB in 2018, Zimmer even suggested so multiple times during the season. Terrill Hanks is a scheme fit that offers upside as a pass rusher unlike some of their current depth options. Although there would be no pressure to start in the near future, Hanks would be an elite ST prospect and could push Ben Gedeon if all goes to plan. If not, he would be one of the only players on the roster who could replace Anthony Barr in a pinch due to his ability to take on blocks on the edge, something Eric Wilson struggled with when pushed onto the field last season.
6 (190) - Trey Pipkins (OT / Sioux Falls) : With a day one starter in Chris Lindstrom added in early round 2 the Vikings have the flexibility to wait a bit to select another O-lineman barring a surprising fall. Trey Pipkins may go higher than this due to his quick feet and projection at OT. The flip-side is that he is also extremely raw and teams could question the level of competition he played against. As aforementioned, Pipkins has quick feet and projects nicely in a zone blocking scheme. The drawback is that he is not strong and will need time in a strength and conditioning program before he can hold up against NFL edge rushers. Fully put together he could play on the blind side which is a rare commodity later in any draft. More likely he projects a future RT or upper end swing tackle which benefits MN with Rashod HIll in the final year of his contract.
6 (209) - L.J. Scott (RB / Michigan State) : In the past the Vikings have had some luck drafting late round skill-players with pedigree (Stefon Diggs). Scott was the 6th best RB coming out of HS in 2015 and had an up & down time at Michigan State. The question many teams have to answer for Scott is why he wasn't more productive given the skill-set and if he will ever develop as a pass blocker. With Dalvin Cook the clear bell-cow Scott would offer a nice power compliment who also has an ability to catch passes out of the backfield. In a power/speed timeshare I believe Scott can be a productive NFL back. With that said the Vikings may surprise and take a back in the 3rd/4th due to Dalvin Cook's past injury woes.
7 (247) - Diontae Johnson (WR / Toledo) : Although listed as a WR the Vikings would be drafting Johnson as a return specialist. Throughout his career at Toledo, Johnson was one of the best punt and kick returners in the nation. As a receiver he is more of a manufactured touch type of guy. That isn't necessarily a bad thing for the Vikings who already have two elite outside threats. Being able to test the defense horizontally is something the offense lacked in 2018 and you don't need to spend a high round selection to do that. At the end of the day if Johnson can win the return job (both PR & KR) in camp this is more than worth a 7th round selection.
7 (250) - Robbie Grimsley (S / NDSU) : Ideally you would like to grab Grimsley as a local UDFA but his name has been starting to creep up over the past month or so. As a player Grimsley is an enforcer on the back-end and profiles as a developmental box safety. He really has no business seeing the field on defense in 2019 but with Jayron Kearse in the final year of his current deal the Vikings could look for a potential replacement and some additional depth due to the off-season loss of Andrew Sendejo.
2 (34) via IND - Chris Lindstrom (OG / Boston College) : Although a trade has not made to date and I still find it somewhat unlikely the Vikings deal Trae Waynes they find a trade partner in the Colts in this mock after the first day of the draft. The Vikings trade up from 2(50) to 2(34) and also receive 4(129). Netted out this is roughly the equivalent of a high 3rd round selection. The Vikings then opt to choose a day one starter at LG in Chris Lindstrom. Lindstrom is one of the most athletic interior lineman in the class and has no immediate holes in his game that would prevent him from sliding in at LG. As a player he is a glass eater and wants to bully the opposition. The mentality is clearly something the Vikings need after a passive group sleep walked through the 2018 season.
2 (50) - Traded 2(50) to IND for 2(34) & 4(129)
3 (81) - Isaiah Johnson (CB / Houston) : If the Vikings opt to move Trae Waynes during the draft the team will need to prepare a fallback option. Although early, Isaiah Johnson could be a steal at this juncture under the toolage of Zimmer. Johnson is a WR convert who is new to the CB position. Although he picked it up rather quickly due to his supreme athleticism he is not nearly instinctual enough and needs to continue learning the nuances of the CB position. Basically, he gets by with his physical skill-set rather than having a gameplan on how he wants to attack a receiver. The Vikings have had some luck drafting traits overproduction in the past (Danielle Hunter) and could reap the benefits once again with Johnson. If he can't put it all together under Mike Zimmer, he couldn't under anyone else. With Zimmer on the Vikings roster it tips the risk v. reward in their favor.
4 (120) - Drew Sample (TE / Washington) : On draft weekends I wouldn't be shocked to see the Vikings select a TE as early as round one. If I were to put my money on it I actually would bet they are walking out with one on the 2nd day of the draft and don't wait until early day 3. None the less they do in this mock and opt for Drew Sample. Sample is more of a project as a receiver but should excel in the NFL if given the chance to develop as a route runner. The Washing offense limited his ability to attack down the field but his athletic profile would suggest he is capable if put in the appropriate role. With Kyle Rudolph and David Morgan both in the final years of their current contracts this buys them some time. The good news is that Sample likely can play some rotational snaps and offer upside on special teams in year one.
4 (129) via IND - Terrill Hanks (OLB / New Mexico St.) : There is no doubt the Vikings were happy with their depth at LB in 2018, Zimmer even suggested so multiple times during the season. Terrill Hanks is a scheme fit that offers upside as a pass rusher unlike some of their current depth options. Although there would be no pressure to start in the near future, Hanks would be an elite ST prospect and could push Ben Gedeon if all goes to plan. If not, he would be one of the only players on the roster who could replace Anthony Barr in a pinch due to his ability to take on blocks on the edge, something Eric Wilson struggled with when pushed onto the field last season.
6 (190) - Trey Pipkins (OT / Sioux Falls) : With a day one starter in Chris Lindstrom added in early round 2 the Vikings have the flexibility to wait a bit to select another O-lineman barring a surprising fall. Trey Pipkins may go higher than this due to his quick feet and projection at OT. The flip-side is that he is also extremely raw and teams could question the level of competition he played against. As aforementioned, Pipkins has quick feet and projects nicely in a zone blocking scheme. The drawback is that he is not strong and will need time in a strength and conditioning program before he can hold up against NFL edge rushers. Fully put together he could play on the blind side which is a rare commodity later in any draft. More likely he projects a future RT or upper end swing tackle which benefits MN with Rashod HIll in the final year of his contract.
6 (209) - L.J. Scott (RB / Michigan State) : In the past the Vikings have had some luck drafting late round skill-players with pedigree (Stefon Diggs). Scott was the 6th best RB coming out of HS in 2015 and had an up & down time at Michigan State. The question many teams have to answer for Scott is why he wasn't more productive given the skill-set and if he will ever develop as a pass blocker. With Dalvin Cook the clear bell-cow Scott would offer a nice power compliment who also has an ability to catch passes out of the backfield. In a power/speed timeshare I believe Scott can be a productive NFL back. With that said the Vikings may surprise and take a back in the 3rd/4th due to Dalvin Cook's past injury woes.
7 (247) - Diontae Johnson (WR / Toledo) : Although listed as a WR the Vikings would be drafting Johnson as a return specialist. Throughout his career at Toledo, Johnson was one of the best punt and kick returners in the nation. As a receiver he is more of a manufactured touch type of guy. That isn't necessarily a bad thing for the Vikings who already have two elite outside threats. Being able to test the defense horizontally is something the offense lacked in 2018 and you don't need to spend a high round selection to do that. At the end of the day if Johnson can win the return job (both PR & KR) in camp this is more than worth a 7th round selection.
7 (250) - Robbie Grimsley (S / NDSU) : Ideally you would like to grab Grimsley as a local UDFA but his name has been starting to creep up over the past month or so. As a player Grimsley is an enforcer on the back-end and profiles as a developmental box safety. He really has no business seeing the field on defense in 2019 but with Jayron Kearse in the final year of his current deal the Vikings could look for a potential replacement and some additional depth due to the off-season loss of Andrew Sendejo.
