Vikings Mock Again

Not having a first round pick is a real pain.

While having Sam Bradford on the roster instead of that first round is a welcome exchange. A team has to have a capable quarterback in today's NFL. Trying to predict the draft day actions of the Minnesota Vikings is more difficult than usual without that day one pick. It's so difficult that it's silly to even try. But I will try. I just can't help it.

The Vikings aren't scheduled to make their first selection until pick #48. The sixteenth pick of the second round. With 47 unknowns before the Vikings get a shot many permutations tumble through my churning mind. No matter how much "best player available" is the plan for each of their picks the decisions can't help but be influenced by the previous selections. The Vikings currently have eight dominoes in this draft. How each falls is dependent on the one before it. Since the Vikings first pick is later than normal it's even more difficult than usual to wrap my mind around their entire draft. Again, I just can't help trying.

2 (48)   Marcus Maye. S. Florida
3 (79)   Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo
3 (86)   Isaac Asiata, G, Utah
4 (121) Elijah Qualls, DT, Washington
4 (129) George Kittle, TE, Iowa
5 (160) Shelton Gibson, WR, West Virginia
6 (199) Julie'n Davenport, T, Bucknell
7 (232) Younghoe Koo, K, Georgia Southern

Safety might not be as much of a need as strengthening the offensive line but improving the back of the defense is still a need. The Vikings have been trying to find a strong, versatile safety to pair with Harrison Smith since they drafted Smith in 2012. Florida safety Marcus Maye could end that search.

When you spend too much time pondering the draft you often feel drawn to a particular player for reasons that are difficult to explain. I feel that happening with me in this draft when it comes to Toledo running back Kareem Hunt. No matter how many drafts flutter through my head I seem to find a spot for Hunt. Maybe it's because there's something about him that reminds me of Chicago Bears rookie runner Jordan Howard.

Big, strong, tough, nasty, aggressive. Those are excellent traits for an NFL guard and Isaac Asiata has them. He's also a hard worker with consistently high effort. Most of the knocks on him can be handled with coaching, refining technique, and perhaps containing some of his aggression. But not all of it.

Defensive tackle became a need when a nerve in Sharrif Floyd's knee was nicked during surgery. It's a medical mishap that seriously threatens his career. If the nerve doesn't respond between now and the draft the position becomes one of the Vikings' more significant needs. Washington defensive tackle Elijah Qualls is built like a half dozen beer kegs welded together. Short and wide. That doesn't sound flattering but his play on the field is. He simply disrupts the intentions of an offense. If his figure was more flattering he might be a Day 1 pick. The Vikings can find a place for a player like Qualls.

Considering the sad play of the Vikings offensive line last year it's really no compliment to say that tight end Rhett Ellison was the team's most efficient blocker. He routinely stayed in front of the man that he had to block. That's essential. Unfortunately, Ellison signed with the New York Giants in free agency. Iowa's George Kittle looks like similar sort of player to Ellison. A versatile tight end that can line up all over the formation. In the backfield, on the line, and split wide.

The Vikings have some nice receivers but they don't really have one that can consistently worry a defense on deep routes. West Virginia's Shelton Gibson could provide that threat. It would nice if he can return kicks as well. The Vikings lost the best returner in the league when Cordarrelle Patterson signed with the Oakland Raiders in free agency.

It would be a surprise if Bucknell tackle Julie'n Davenport is still available when the Vikings select in the sixth round. This mock is a work of fiction so why not make Davenport available in the sixth. I'd rather make Forrest Lamp available in the sixth but that's really pushing the laws of mocks. A developmental offensive lineman is always a nice late round pick.

The Vikings kicking game is in transition. Since this time last year the team has lost Blair Walsh and Jeff Locke. They were supposed franchise cornerstones at kicker and punter, respectively. Walsh was released during the 2016 because couldn't stop missing place kicks. Locke left in free agency. The Vikings currently have two kickers and two punters on the roster so drafting one isn't necessary. But how can you pass on a player named Younghoe Koo?

Until the next one.