Mock Draft Roundup (Version 4)

thoughts from round one
Image courtesy of Vikings.com

It’s the week before the draft, or as I call it, Draft Week Eve, and the mocks are being updated fast and furiously. The Josh Doctson conventional wisdom has reigned supreme for months, and while a healthy amount of mockers still believe the TCU wide receiver will go to the Vikings at number 23, there is more disagreement now than at any time since February. Some mock drafts are even finally suggesting my long held pipe dream will come true, and Minnesota will have the option of selecting a previously-thought top ten player with their first round pick.  Here’s an updated look at who the mock drafts have the Vikings taking at number 23:

Vikings Territory (Adam Warwas)

Vikings Pick (#23): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

The ranking of the first round receivers has evolved a good deal, and Adam paints a good picture of where I think the order stands at the moment: he has Josh Doctson as the first receiver off the board, then Laquon Treadwell at 22 before the Vikings make Fuller the third receiver taken at 23. The Rams are obviously no longer selecting at 15, but I still think it’s a good possibility Doctson goes in that range.

Adam notes Fuller is the biggest project out of these receivers, but thinks the Vikings can afford to wait and doesn’t see Fuller becoming another Troy Williamson (please, God, I can’t take another). And, Rick Spielman does love his golden domers. Read more. 

Vikings Territory (Austin Belisle)

Vikings Pick: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

FINALLY. After Treadwell has slowly, steadily slid down (assumed) draft boards since his underwhelming combine, he lands in a mock at number 23. Personally I think it’s a no-brainer to pick Treadwell if he’s available, but Austin isn’t so enthusiastic, noting he thinks Josh Doctson (who he has going to Houston a pick before the Vikings) is a better player and better fit. This further cements that Doctson has likely leapfrogged Treadwell as a prospect. Read more. 

Vikings Territory (Brett Anderson)

Vikings Pick: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

Brett makes the point many pundits and prognosticators have been saying for the past six weeks: Doctson makes the most sense for the Vikings at 23, both in terms of need and value. Despite the evolving projections of how the first round will shake out, I still think Doctson is the most likely pick. Read more. 

Vikings Territory (Carl Knowles)

Vikings Pick: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

Aside from wide receiver (or, in the opinion of some, even more than wide receiver), offensive line is still the biggest area of need for the Vikings, even after the reinforcements brought in in free agency. Carl points this out, and mentions Conklin’s versatility across the line as another reason he could be a good fit at 23. He also includes a tasty quote from Mike Zimmer that indicates receiver might not in fact be the team’s top priority in the draft. Read more.

Draft Season

Vikings Pick (TRADE, #18): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Draft Season’s first seven-round Vikings mock of the season predicts a trade UP (yes, up) in the first round to take Treadwell at number 18. Read more. 

NFL.com (Bucky Brooks)

Vikings Pick: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State

This is the second consecutive mock where Brooks has mocked an outside linebacker to the Vikings. (Note: This mock was released pre-Rams trade). Read more.

CBSSports.com (Pete Prisco)

Vikings Pick: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Prisco has previously mocked both Doctson and Fuller to the Vikings, but in this post-Rams trade iteration, he sees Treadwell falling to 23 and the Vikings passing on Doctson. Read more.

SB Nation (Dan Kadar)

Vikings Pick: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Kadar, on the other hand, has EVERY receiver sliding to number 23, and has the team making Treadwell the only wide receiver selected in the first round. Read more.

NFL Draft Geek

Vikings Pick: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

Draft Geek keeps the pick the same since our last mock roundup, predicting Doctson will go to the Vikings after Treadwell is picked one spot earlier by the Texans. Read more. 

Walter Football

Vikings Pick: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

After having Doctson slotted at 23 for a number of mock drafts, Walter Football changes course. They have Fuller/Treadwell/Doctson going in consecutive picks, with the Notre Dame prospect the first receiver taken. Read more.

Sports Illustrated

Vikings Pick: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

SI has four receivers going in round one, and Will Fuller is not one of them. Read more. 

Drafttek

Vikings Pick: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

Drafttek’s current mock has Laquon Treadwell going to the 49ers at pick 7, and has Baylor’s Corey Coleman going to the Texans.  Read more. 

USA Today

Vikings Pick: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

USA Today believes Treadwell’s stock will rise after the Rams trade and sees Fuller going to Houston at 22, leaving Doctson for the Vikings. Read more.

The Sporting News

Vikings Pick: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State

In a plot twist, TSN believes the Vikings will select Thomas over Josh Doctson. Fans may riot if that happens. Read more.

Conclusion

Out of 14 mock drafts surveyed, an eye-popping 12 had the Vikings selecting a receiver. Of those 12, five votes were for Treadwell, five for Doctson, and one each for Michael Thomas and Will Fuller. The biggest gain since the previous mock draft roundup was easily Laquon Treadwell, who only appeared at 23 in a single mock before now. Two things are clear: the mock drafts REALLY think the Vikings will take a receiver in the first round, and Doctson and Treadwell are neck and neck as clear frontrunners for Minnesota’s selection.

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