Family Ties

This is one of those draft endeavors that can be considered fun or sad. Maybe both. This is a Minnesota Vikings mock draft with Family Ties. It's possible, but highly unlikely, that the Vikings could draft several players with a familial relationship to past, and one current, Vikings.

Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
J.R. Reed, S, Georgia

That would be a fun group. If the Vikings were to do such a thing they would have to select Trevon Diggs and Antoine Winfield Jr. in the first and second rounds. And that's assuming that both make it to the team's respective picks in the first and second round. They could probably select Thaddeus Moss and J.R. Reed with Day 3 picks.

The Family Ties:
Trevon Diggs is the younger brother of current Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs.
Antoine Winfield Jr. is obviously the son of former Vikings safety Antoine Winfield.
Thaddeus Moss is the son of Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss.
J.R. Reed is the son of former Vikings receiver Jake Reed.

While I continue to think that the Vikings should select an offensive tackle in the first round, I would be happy if the team's decision-makers decide that Diggs is the pick in the first round. Cornerback is a significant team need and he has nice size, ball skills, and loads of potential. Diggs arrived at Alabama as a receiver but was eventually moved to corner. He's still learning the position. Also, as a former high-level collegiate receiver he brings a unique experience and perspective to the defensive side of the ball.

Antoine Winfield is one of my favorite players in franchise history. Many of the terrific traits (field awareness, tackling, feistiness, and toughness) that Senior had appears to have been passed down to Junior. As a result, Junior is one of my favorite players in this draft. I get the feeling that he could be selected anywhere between the Vikings' pick in the first and their pick in the second. If the team likes Junior as much as I like Junior they might have to take him with that first pick or trade up for him in the second. No matter how it plays out I'd be thrilled if Antoine Winfield's kid continues the family legacy in Minnesota. And safety is a team need.

It would be fun to have Randy Moss' kid on the Vikings but tight end isn't really a need. I don't really know enough about J.R. Reed at this point in the draft evaluation process.

It's fun to see these kids, and brother, of Vikings' players follow in the family business. Even if the Vikings don't draft any of them I'll follow each of their NFL careers with great interest.