04-24-2019, 01:46 AM
I will still post a final mock on draft day. Just wanted to run though another scenario to bring up a few additional names for discussion.
1 (18) - Trade 1(18) & 6(209) for 1(25) & 3(89)
1 (25) via IND - Chris Lindstrom (OG/Boston College) : With only 10-12 blue chip prospects in this draft class it may be hard for teams to find market value moving down. Fortunately for MN they're sitting in front of TEN who has been eyeing up pass rushers which could represent the end of the top available players at that position. That makes MN a possible spot for a trade up which they take advantage of in this situation to net themselves an additional 3rd round selection. At pick #25 Chris Lindstrom both fills an immediate need and would let many Vikings fans take a deep breath. Lindstrom is the toughness the Vikings O-line has lacked and would represent a plug and play starter at LG. He isn't as athletic as his combine scores represent, but is functional in the Vikings zone blocking attack. There may be a learning curve as a pass protector but the running game is immediately improved.
2 (50) - Deebo Samuel (WR/South Carolina) : Although I would still put money on TE being the first skill position the Vikings address in this years draft, Deebo Samuel may prove to be too good a value to pass up. He is the ideal WR3 as he can play anywhere on the field and does a great job uncovering early in his routes. In addition to being a good receiver, he would double as a return specialist from day one. Late in the 2018 season teams started taking away both Thielen and Diggs. The Vikings couldn't find an answer. Deebo could be the piece that changes that and either generates enough of a threat to get defensive attention or allows the Vikings to hide Thielen in the slot more often.
3 (81) - Gerald Willis III (DT/Miami) : After spending two early picks on offense the Vikings take a look at the interior portion of their defensive line. Although Shamar Steephen was brought back in March the roster still lacks a consistent interior pass rush. Jaleel Johnson will get a chance to make an impact, but Willis would be another nice rotational piece to add to the equation. Although polarizing as a prospect, Willis needs technical refinement to unlock his true abilities. The chance to work with Andre Patterson would be a perfect match. On tape, Willis is boom or bust and is either using his quickness to make plays in the backfield or he's recklessly coming out of his stance off balance and ending up on the ground. Although concerning the physical talent you cannot teach is there.
3 (89) via IND - Josh Olive (TE/San Jose State) : An additional 3rd round pick allows the Vikings to wait on TE a bit longer than they otherwise may come Thurs/Fri. Josh Oliver is a pure receiving threat a TE who is best served playing outside the formation. He will need to add weight to be anything as an in-line blocker but that isn't what the Vikings are looking for. Ideally the Vikings want a player who they can pull LB's and safeties across the field with and that is right up Oliver's alley. Aside from the additional threat he'd bring as a receiver he should help open up the play action passing game.
4 (120) - Sione Takitaki (OLB/BYU) : Going into the 2018 season the Vikings weren't thrilled with their LB depth and it reared its ugly head late in the season. Eric Wilson is a more than capable backup but lacks the size to take on block consistently. Sione Takitaki brings more size to the position group and plays with the reckless abandon the Vikings like to see in their LB's. There is a good chance Taki could compete with Ben Gedeon in year one. If not a starter in the base defense he would be a high impact special team threat which carries a lot of value in the middle rounds.
6 (190) - Devine Ozigbo (RB/Nebraska) : We don't know what is going to happen with Roc Thomas but the Vikings need a power compliment to Dalvin Cook. Devine Ozigbo is a one-cut bowling ball that finds yards after first contact. His ability in the open field is better than many scouts give him credit for as he does have some home run ability in the open field. None the less he should slide in as a complimentary back in short yardage and goal line situations.
7 (247) - Derrick Baity Jr. (CB/Kentucky) : I believe I've mocked Baity in all three of my mocks this off-season. Although lacking top-tier arm length, he has the size the Vikings like to see in their outside corners. Taking a corner this late in the draft is with the assumption Trae Waynes remains on the roster. Baity doesn't have top end speed but the coaching staff would hope they could refine his press technique enough to make him serviceable as a backup. If not this would once again be another player who could stick as a core special teamer.
7 (250) - Ty Summers (ILB/TCU) : Last but not least the Vikings double up at LB. Summers is a pure ILB who loves to work through trash to the ball carrier. This would be for additional depth/camp competition and his upside to stick on the 53-man roster as a special teams ace.
1 (18) - Trade 1(18) & 6(209) for 1(25) & 3(89)
1 (25) via IND - Chris Lindstrom (OG/Boston College) : With only 10-12 blue chip prospects in this draft class it may be hard for teams to find market value moving down. Fortunately for MN they're sitting in front of TEN who has been eyeing up pass rushers which could represent the end of the top available players at that position. That makes MN a possible spot for a trade up which they take advantage of in this situation to net themselves an additional 3rd round selection. At pick #25 Chris Lindstrom both fills an immediate need and would let many Vikings fans take a deep breath. Lindstrom is the toughness the Vikings O-line has lacked and would represent a plug and play starter at LG. He isn't as athletic as his combine scores represent, but is functional in the Vikings zone blocking attack. There may be a learning curve as a pass protector but the running game is immediately improved.
2 (50) - Deebo Samuel (WR/South Carolina) : Although I would still put money on TE being the first skill position the Vikings address in this years draft, Deebo Samuel may prove to be too good a value to pass up. He is the ideal WR3 as he can play anywhere on the field and does a great job uncovering early in his routes. In addition to being a good receiver, he would double as a return specialist from day one. Late in the 2018 season teams started taking away both Thielen and Diggs. The Vikings couldn't find an answer. Deebo could be the piece that changes that and either generates enough of a threat to get defensive attention or allows the Vikings to hide Thielen in the slot more often.
3 (81) - Gerald Willis III (DT/Miami) : After spending two early picks on offense the Vikings take a look at the interior portion of their defensive line. Although Shamar Steephen was brought back in March the roster still lacks a consistent interior pass rush. Jaleel Johnson will get a chance to make an impact, but Willis would be another nice rotational piece to add to the equation. Although polarizing as a prospect, Willis needs technical refinement to unlock his true abilities. The chance to work with Andre Patterson would be a perfect match. On tape, Willis is boom or bust and is either using his quickness to make plays in the backfield or he's recklessly coming out of his stance off balance and ending up on the ground. Although concerning the physical talent you cannot teach is there.
3 (89) via IND - Josh Olive (TE/San Jose State) : An additional 3rd round pick allows the Vikings to wait on TE a bit longer than they otherwise may come Thurs/Fri. Josh Oliver is a pure receiving threat a TE who is best served playing outside the formation. He will need to add weight to be anything as an in-line blocker but that isn't what the Vikings are looking for. Ideally the Vikings want a player who they can pull LB's and safeties across the field with and that is right up Oliver's alley. Aside from the additional threat he'd bring as a receiver he should help open up the play action passing game.
4 (120) - Sione Takitaki (OLB/BYU) : Going into the 2018 season the Vikings weren't thrilled with their LB depth and it reared its ugly head late in the season. Eric Wilson is a more than capable backup but lacks the size to take on block consistently. Sione Takitaki brings more size to the position group and plays with the reckless abandon the Vikings like to see in their LB's. There is a good chance Taki could compete with Ben Gedeon in year one. If not a starter in the base defense he would be a high impact special team threat which carries a lot of value in the middle rounds.
6 (190) - Devine Ozigbo (RB/Nebraska) : We don't know what is going to happen with Roc Thomas but the Vikings need a power compliment to Dalvin Cook. Devine Ozigbo is a one-cut bowling ball that finds yards after first contact. His ability in the open field is better than many scouts give him credit for as he does have some home run ability in the open field. None the less he should slide in as a complimentary back in short yardage and goal line situations.
7 (247) - Derrick Baity Jr. (CB/Kentucky) : I believe I've mocked Baity in all three of my mocks this off-season. Although lacking top-tier arm length, he has the size the Vikings like to see in their outside corners. Taking a corner this late in the draft is with the assumption Trae Waynes remains on the roster. Baity doesn't have top end speed but the coaching staff would hope they could refine his press technique enough to make him serviceable as a backup. If not this would once again be another player who could stick as a core special teamer.
7 (250) - Ty Summers (ILB/TCU) : Last but not least the Vikings double up at LB. Summers is a pure ILB who loves to work through trash to the ball carrier. This would be for additional depth/camp competition and his upside to stick on the 53-man roster as a special teams ace.