MOCK DRAFT: Belisle Version 2.0
See my entire second 2016 NFL Mock Draft by CLICKING HERE.
Wow, was my first attempt at a mock draft wrong, or what? I speculated that the Minnesota Vikings would select Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith with the 23rd-overall pick. And just a few days later, reports surfaced that the prospect’s surgically repaired knee wasn’t as healthy as originally thought. While the pick wasn’t a “reach” at the time, it quickly became an impossible scenario, and one I hope to avoid this time around.
That’s why I’m going with the obvious, if safe choice in the second version of my mock draft; a wide receiver. The Vikings made multiple moves in free agency that would allow them to target such a player in the first round. With holes filled along the offensive line — and one created by releasing Mike Wallace — Rick Spielman can now focus his efforts on adding the best receiver in the class:
Josh Doctson, WR – TCU
If Doctson is available when the Vikings select, and Spielman doesn’t pull the trigger, he’d be doing a disservice to third-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. While the signings of Alex Boone, Phil Loadholt, and Mike Harris almost guarantee the offensive line is improved in 2016, questions remain around the wide receiver corps.
Stefon Diggs and Jarius Wright are “sure things” at the position, but outside of those two, the Vikings are missing a playmaker on the outside. Doctson has the potential to not only fill that void, but become one of the game’s next great wide receivers. After the combine, Doctson reportedly received a high grade from the Vikings, and he’s currently Mike Mayock‘s third-ranked wide receiver prospect.
Adding Doctson would give Bridgewater an excellent route runner with the speed to get downfield quickly, the jumping ability and body control to dominate at the catch point, and the hands to haul in almost any pass. He has the size and ball skills to thrive in the NFL, and he’d be the perfect complement on the outside alongside the emerging Diggs.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MY ENTIRE 2016 MOCK DRAFT VERSION 2.0