It's early in the draft evaluation process but it's never too early to start dreaming about potential Minnesota Vikings draft picks. This year those dreams start with Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah, Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, and Clemson do-everything defender Isaiah Simmons. Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs and Louisville's mammoth tackle Mechi Becton are pretty dreamy as well. All of those players will be gone long before the Vikings make their first round selection at #25. When it comes to the NFL Draft it's fun to dream but it's better to be a realistic. Or as realistic as one can be for something as unpredictable as the NFL Draft. The Vikings' most pressing needs currently start with the offensive line and cornerback. Conveniently, offensive tackle and corner happen to be strengths of this year's draft. My first round wish list starts with those positions.
Offensive Tackles
1. Austin Jackson, USC, 6'5" 322 lbs
2. Josh Jones, Houston, 6'5" 319 lbs
Cornerbacks
1. Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State, 6'2" 185 lbs
2. Trevon Diggs, Alabama, 6'2" 207 lbs
3. Jeff Gladney, TCU, 6'0" 183 lbs
4. Damon Arnette, Ohio State, 6'0" 195 lbs
5. Jaylon Johnson, Utah, 6'0" 195 lbs
There are a few tackles projected to be among the first 10-15 picks of the draft. There's always a chance that one, or more, could drop. It happened last year with Andre Dillard. I'm not counting on it happening this year. If the Vikings fall for Tristan Wirfs I'm pretty sure that they'll have to trade up at least a dozen picks to insure that they get him. With all of that in mind, my offensive tackle rankings start with Austin Jackson and Josh Jones. They might also be the projected first round tackles that best fit Gary Kubiak's zone blocking. I was a little slow to accept Austin Jackson as a first round possibility. I fear that may have been due to a sub-conscious connection to the last USC offensive tackle that the Vikings selected in the first round. Matt Kalil. He was drafted to be the player that would lock the position down for more than a decade. He played like that player as a rookie in 2012. Unfortunately, his play declined each year after that Pro Bowl rookie season. There's no connection between the two players other than their choice of college. When I keep that in mind, Austin Jackson and Josh Jones take the top spots on my wish list. The main reason that the offensive tackles top my list is the apparent depth at the cornerback position. I think that it's more likely that the Vikings can find better corners than tackles on the second day of the draft. There's also a chance that they can find this guy:
Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech, 5'9" 183 lbs
If Robertson were three inches taller he's a top-15 pick, maybe top-10. He's a tough, physical corner that takes receivers out of the game. He's always around the ball. He just makes plays. Unfortunately, his size probably forces him inside to a nickel position. But you never know. I remember a young Randy Moss saying that Darrell Green was the toughest corner that he had to face. That statement was a surprise as there’s about a foot difference in height between the two. Green was also in the latter stages of his Hall of Fame career. When I see Robertson play I see Antoine Winfield. I'd love to see that sort of player competing in the Vikings defense.
While offensive tackle and corner might top the Vikings' needs they aren't the only needs. With Anthony Harris' play likely pricing him out of the team's budget, it looks like the Vikings will have a need at safety.
1. Xavier McKinney, Alabama, 6'0" 201 lbs
2. Grant Delpit, LSU, 6'3" 213 lbs
3. Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota, 5'9" 203 lbs
4. Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne, 6'1" 217 lbs
Xavier McKinney and Grant Delpit could/should be gone before the Vikings pick. #3 is a familiar name. The only thing keeping Kyle Dugger from being a certain first round pick is playing at itty-bitty Lenoir-Rhyne.
The Vikings have put together a defensive tackle group with a variety of skills. If they could find a single player with a variety of skills, pass rushing skills in particular, in the early rounds that player could be the pick over more obvious needs. Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw are that sort of player in this draft. If the Vikings had the fifth pick, either would be my pick. Neither will make it past the tenth pick. There are still a few intriguing defensive tackles that might tempt the Vikings at #25.
1. Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma, 6'2" 304 lbs
2. Ross Blacklock, TCU, 6'3" 290 lbs
3. Jordan Elliott, Missouri, 6'4" 302 lbs
If Rick Spielman, Mike Zimmer, etc. fell for one of the above I would have no complaints. From Alan Page to Keith Millard to John Randle to Kevin Williams, there's an incredible legacy of difference-making defensive tackles in Minnesota. It'd be nice to find the next one.
The top of the Vikings receiver depth chart looks nice with Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. They could still use a big, third down-converting, red zone-threatening receiver. The sort of receiver that Laquon Treadwell was supposed to be. This receiver draft is so well-stocked that the Vikings might find that sort of impact pass catcher in the fourth round. USC's Michael Pittman is one of my favorites in this draft but I'd be surprised if he made it out of the second round. That might be a little early for the Vikings to pull the trigger on a receiver. I’ll think more about the receivers later in this draft process. For now, I’ll focus on my wishes for the first two rounds. I kinda like the following draft start:
1. Austin Jackson, OT, USC
2. Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
One more thought. I’m not sure of the Vikings’ plans at quarterback other than Kirk Cousins being the unquestioned guy this year. With that in mind, the possibility of selecting Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round is growing on me. Considering the always high demand for quality throwers, Hurts might not even make it out of the first round. If he's still hanging around in the middle of the second round he would be real tempting. If the Vikings don't sign Cousins to an extension before the draft.
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