The Athletic Mock Draft
14. Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Like a lot of teams, the Vikings appear to be waiting on this exceptionally deep O-line class to address their issues up front. Darrisaw is a big, physical dude who could be a plug-and-play option on either the left or right side in Minnesota.
Value option: Tommy Doyle, OT, Miami (Ohio). A 6-8 behemoth with 35 1/8-inch arms, Doyle gets after it as a run blocker. He had some high-level matchups with the likes of Ohio State and Iowa, too.
I'd be happy with a 'value' option at DE. At LT, I want a sure thing.
And TDN's
VikingsAlijah Vera-TuckerIOL, USCThe Vikings are a small trade-up candidate with four fourth-round picks to their name—but with the board falling nicely across the last several picks for their purposes, they’re content to sit and wait on Vera-Tucker, who I expect to go somewhere in the top 15. Minnesota’s a great spot for his purposes, as he could either take over the left tackle job vacated by Reiff, or take the right guard spot and kick 2020 second-round pick Ezra Cleveland over to left tackle. Flexibility on the offensive line is key.
Vera-Tucker, for my money, is the second-best offensive lineman in this draft, and Minnesota’s been hunting a solid interior line for the last few seasons. He’s the cherry on top of their offensive line reload.
@"BarrNone55" said: And TDN'sVikings
Alijah Vera-TuckerIOL, USCThe Vikings are a small trade-up candidate with four fourth-round picks to their name—but with the board falling nicely across the last several picks for their purposes, they’re content to sit and wait on Vera-Tucker, who I expect to go somewhere in the top 15. Minnesota’s a great spot for his purposes, as he could either take over the left tackle job vacated by Reiff, or take the right guard spot and kick 2020 second-round pick Ezra Cleveland over to left tackle. Flexibility on the offensive line is key.
Vera-Tucker, for my money, is the second-best offensive lineman in this draft, and Minnesota’s been hunting a solid interior line for the last few seasons. He’s the cherry on top of their offensive line reload.
ugh... just the thought of another USC OLman makes me ill.
@"BarrNone55" said: 14. Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech Like a lot of teams, the Vikings appear to be waiting on this exceptionally deep O-line class to address their issues up front. Darrisaw is a big, physical dude who could be a plug-and-play option on either the left or right side in Minnesota. Value option: Tommy Doyle, OT, Miami (Ohio). A 6-8 behemoth with 35 1/8-inch arms, Doyle gets after it as a run blocker. He had some high-level matchups with the likes of Ohio State and Iowa, too. I'd be happy with a 'value' option at DE. At LT, I want a sure thing.That's the way I see it too. The lust pick at 14 is an edge, but the smart and reasonable side of me wants the tackle because we just don't have a history of success with down-draft offensive linemen. Even ones who are universally thought to be good picks (Samia). Bad luck or whatever...just don't mess with it. Get the big time OL and draft a mid-round toolsy piece of clay for Andre.
@"BarrNone55" said: And TDN'sVikings
Alijah Vera-TuckerIOL, USCThe Vikings are a small trade-up candidate with four fourth-round picks to their name—but with the board falling nicely across the last several picks for their purposes, they’re content to sit and wait on Vera-Tucker, who I expect to go somewhere in the top 15. Minnesota’s a great spot for his purposes, as he could either take over the left tackle job vacated by Reiff, or take the right guard spot and kick 2020 second-round pick Ezra Cleveland over to left tackle. Flexibility on the offensive line is key.
Vera-Tucker, for my money, is the second-best offensive lineman in this draft, and Minnesota’s been hunting a solid interior line for the last few seasons. He’s the cherry on top of their offensive line reload.
I'd put him 3rd behind Sewell and Slater. If I knew the Vikings were going to move O'Neill or Cleveland to LT, I'd feel a lot better about this pick.
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