Vikings Draft Possibilities

This is way too early but the draft season starts when the first Senior Bowl practice starts. And that was a couple of weeks ago. So, why not now. Here are the top needs of the Minnesota Vikings.

1. Offensive line
2. Receiver
3. Linebacker
4. Safety

Offensive line could occupy the top 2-3 spots. The offensive line has to improve. I actually like the Vikings receivers. They have a decision to make on Mike Wallace. He's under contract for 2016 but it's a mighty big contract. They might try to rework that contract. They might just release him and point that money elsewhere. Despite my appreciation of the Vikings receiver group they are missing one of those big, difference-making receivers that can win one-on-one battles with size, strength, and body position. Weak-side linebacker and safety are probably the only two undecided positions on the Vikings defense. There are contenders on the roster for those positions but no clear-cut favorites right now.

Here are some prospects that could fill the above needs.

Offensive line
Cody Whitehair, Kansas State
Jack Conklin, Michigan St.
Vadal Alexander, Baylor
Nick Martin, Notre Dame
Joshua Garnett, Stanford
Sebatian Tretola, Arkansas
Shon Coleman, Auburn
Jason Spriggs, Indiana

Receiver
Laquon Treadwell, Mississippi
Josh Doctson, TCU
Michael Thomas, Ohio State
Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh
Braxton Miller, Ohio State
Leonte Carroo, Rutgers
Re'Runnya Wilson, Mississippi State

It's unlikely that Treadwell is still available when the Vikings select at #23 but you never know.

Linebacker
Darron Lee, Ohio State
Leonard Floyd, Georgia
Su'a Cravens, USC
Deion Jones, LSU

UCLA's Myles Jack and Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith should be top-5 picks. Significant injuries suffered last season could cause them to drop in the draft but I seriously doubt it. Even if they do drop it might be a few spots to the top-10 range. But that's still far short of the Vikings pick.

Safety
Darian Thompson, Boise State
Jeremy Cash, Duke
Vonn Bell, Ohio State
Karl Joseph, West Virginia

You can never have enough corners or pass rushers these days. This draft is well stocked with defensive tackles. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Vikings take one of those defensive tackles early. Or a corner.

If I were to be so bold as to predict the Vikings first two picks at this early date I might go with this combo:

1. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas St.
2. Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh