04-25-2019, 08:35 PM
I will preface this mock with three trades I have the Vikings making in the 2019 draft.
- The Vikings acquire 1(13) from Miami for 1(18), 3(81), and a 2020 4th
- MN trades down from 2(50) with Dallas for 2(58) and 4(128)
- The Vikings trade Trae Waynes to the Houston Texans for 2(55)
** This is with the caveat they move up. I still do not feel it is likely they move Trae but would have to at least consider it if they could recoup what's lost in trading up.
1 (13) via MIA - Jonah Williams (OT/OG Alabama) : "We have a trade to announce".. the Vikings trade 1 (18), 3 (81), and a 2020 4th to move up to the 13th selection. If either Jonah Williams or Andre Dillard make it to the early teens I expect the Vikings to be very aggressive. Although there will be good interior line options at #18, OT is a premium position within the Vikings organization. Jonah Williams is a nose to the grindstone worker who is a master of his craft. Although the Vikings will likely toy around with Reiff and Williams on the left side to find the best combination of tackle and guard, this move has a forward thinking aspect to it as well. If Jonah Williams can play LT in the NFL, which I think he can, the Vikings can gain a lot of cap flexibility by moving on from Reiff in 2020.
2 (55) via HOU - Jace Sternberger (TE Texas A&M) : If there is one thing I'm confident in about this draft, its that the Vikings will spend an early draft pick at TE. Regardless of Kyle Rudolphs future in MN, the team needs a pure receiving threat who they can move around the field. This not only will help their elite WR's, but improve their PA passing game as well. Jace Sternberger is a pure move TE who can do a bit of everything as a route runner. Although he doesn't have game breaking speed he gets strong separation out of his routes and can run a full route tree. The question will be whether he can improve in contested catch situations. Although most TE's don't have a huge impact in year one, Sternberger can as a big slot receiver.
2 (58) via DAL - Zach Allen (DE/DT Boston College) : The Vikings continue to beef up the trenches with their selection of Allen whose name hasn't come up much throughout the draft process. Allen likely is a 3-tech within the Vikings defense but could also move out to DE if necessary. He doesn't fit your prototypical Vikings D-line mold but is the toughness that has been missing. Allen wins on a quick first step and a repertoire of counter moves which allow him to finish in the backfield. Although it likely won't be a "sexy" pick, Allen should be able to play significant snaps immediately and has a high floor.
4 (120) - Isaiah Johnson (CB Houston) : If the Vikings opt to trade Trae Waynes, they will need to make an addition at CB. Regardless they may have to for long-term cost control at the position. Johnson is a converted WR but quickly emerged as a strong CB for Houston. His physical skills are second to none but he still does not understand the nuances of the position. Although you can live off physical skills in college the margin for error is so much smaller in the NFL. Not a day one starter but if put in the right system with a strong coaching staff he has CB1 potential.
4 (128) via DAL - Benny Snell Jr. (RB / Kentucky) : I've consistently mocked Devine Ozigbo to the Vikings for weeks but finally bail on that in my final mock. Snell Jr. is a down hill bowling ball who is a nice fit in a one-cut scheme. He isn't going to be explosive but has enough speed to win on the edge and keep rolling down the hill. The Vikings will enter 2019 with the goal of feeding Dalvin Cook. But keeping him healthy will be key and Snell should be able to take some of the tougher and more physical carries.
6 (190) - Diontae Johnson (WR / Toledo) : Johnson's name has started to creep up in recent weeks and he may go much higher than this. Although he has a ways to go as a receiver he is an above average return specialist who can field both punts and kicks. There is a lot of value in that. On offense he has some explosiveness to his game and a team could opt to give him some manufactured touches in year one.
6 (209) - Trey Pipkins (OT / Sioux Falls) : Although the Vikings got their day one starter in the 1st, Pipkins is the type of developmental prospect Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison have had success with in the past. More of a size/speed prospect at this point due to his lower level of competition, Pipkins success will be tied to his ability to become a more functionally sounds bookend. He shouldn't see the field for at least a year, maybe two. But there is some upside here for a later round selection.
7 (247) - Andrew Van Ginkel (LB / Wisconsin) : More of a LB/Edge combo it wouldn't hurt MN to beef up their LB depth, which they weren't happy with a year ago. Van Ginkel's biggest value will be his ability to line up over the tackle and have success using his pure athleticism to both rush the passer and defend in space. He is raw technically but is the athletic type the Vikings typically have targeted in prior years.
7 (250) - Andrew Beck (FB/TE Texas) : The Vikings are big fans of C.J. Ham at FB but adding a developmental prospect to take over for David Morgan who is in a contract year is the thought this late in the draft. Beck can compete for a spot on the 53 man roster this season but would be a great PS stash who could fill help in multiple areas if injuries strike.
- The Vikings acquire 1(13) from Miami for 1(18), 3(81), and a 2020 4th
- MN trades down from 2(50) with Dallas for 2(58) and 4(128)
- The Vikings trade Trae Waynes to the Houston Texans for 2(55)
** This is with the caveat they move up. I still do not feel it is likely they move Trae but would have to at least consider it if they could recoup what's lost in trading up.
1 (13) via MIA - Jonah Williams (OT/OG Alabama) : "We have a trade to announce".. the Vikings trade 1 (18), 3 (81), and a 2020 4th to move up to the 13th selection. If either Jonah Williams or Andre Dillard make it to the early teens I expect the Vikings to be very aggressive. Although there will be good interior line options at #18, OT is a premium position within the Vikings organization. Jonah Williams is a nose to the grindstone worker who is a master of his craft. Although the Vikings will likely toy around with Reiff and Williams on the left side to find the best combination of tackle and guard, this move has a forward thinking aspect to it as well. If Jonah Williams can play LT in the NFL, which I think he can, the Vikings can gain a lot of cap flexibility by moving on from Reiff in 2020.
2 (55) via HOU - Jace Sternberger (TE Texas A&M) : If there is one thing I'm confident in about this draft, its that the Vikings will spend an early draft pick at TE. Regardless of Kyle Rudolphs future in MN, the team needs a pure receiving threat who they can move around the field. This not only will help their elite WR's, but improve their PA passing game as well. Jace Sternberger is a pure move TE who can do a bit of everything as a route runner. Although he doesn't have game breaking speed he gets strong separation out of his routes and can run a full route tree. The question will be whether he can improve in contested catch situations. Although most TE's don't have a huge impact in year one, Sternberger can as a big slot receiver.
2 (58) via DAL - Zach Allen (DE/DT Boston College) : The Vikings continue to beef up the trenches with their selection of Allen whose name hasn't come up much throughout the draft process. Allen likely is a 3-tech within the Vikings defense but could also move out to DE if necessary. He doesn't fit your prototypical Vikings D-line mold but is the toughness that has been missing. Allen wins on a quick first step and a repertoire of counter moves which allow him to finish in the backfield. Although it likely won't be a "sexy" pick, Allen should be able to play significant snaps immediately and has a high floor.
4 (120) - Isaiah Johnson (CB Houston) : If the Vikings opt to trade Trae Waynes, they will need to make an addition at CB. Regardless they may have to for long-term cost control at the position. Johnson is a converted WR but quickly emerged as a strong CB for Houston. His physical skills are second to none but he still does not understand the nuances of the position. Although you can live off physical skills in college the margin for error is so much smaller in the NFL. Not a day one starter but if put in the right system with a strong coaching staff he has CB1 potential.
4 (128) via DAL - Benny Snell Jr. (RB / Kentucky) : I've consistently mocked Devine Ozigbo to the Vikings for weeks but finally bail on that in my final mock. Snell Jr. is a down hill bowling ball who is a nice fit in a one-cut scheme. He isn't going to be explosive but has enough speed to win on the edge and keep rolling down the hill. The Vikings will enter 2019 with the goal of feeding Dalvin Cook. But keeping him healthy will be key and Snell should be able to take some of the tougher and more physical carries.
6 (190) - Diontae Johnson (WR / Toledo) : Johnson's name has started to creep up in recent weeks and he may go much higher than this. Although he has a ways to go as a receiver he is an above average return specialist who can field both punts and kicks. There is a lot of value in that. On offense he has some explosiveness to his game and a team could opt to give him some manufactured touches in year one.
6 (209) - Trey Pipkins (OT / Sioux Falls) : Although the Vikings got their day one starter in the 1st, Pipkins is the type of developmental prospect Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison have had success with in the past. More of a size/speed prospect at this point due to his lower level of competition, Pipkins success will be tied to his ability to become a more functionally sounds bookend. He shouldn't see the field for at least a year, maybe two. But there is some upside here for a later round selection.
7 (247) - Andrew Van Ginkel (LB / Wisconsin) : More of a LB/Edge combo it wouldn't hurt MN to beef up their LB depth, which they weren't happy with a year ago. Van Ginkel's biggest value will be his ability to line up over the tackle and have success using his pure athleticism to both rush the passer and defend in space. He is raw technically but is the athletic type the Vikings typically have targeted in prior years.
7 (250) - Andrew Beck (FB/TE Texas) : The Vikings are big fans of C.J. Ham at FB but adding a developmental prospect to take over for David Morgan who is in a contract year is the thought this late in the draft. Beck can compete for a spot on the 53 man roster this season but would be a great PS stash who could fill help in multiple areas if injuries strike.
