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The Vikings made improving their offensive line a priority heading into the offseason and they put their plan into action by signing guard Alex Boone and tackle Andre Smith in free agency. The Vikings will look to add even more help in the first round.
This mock draft has Rick Spielman on the clock with a tough decision to either select offensive tackle Jack Conklin or wide receiver Josh Doctson. Conklin gets the pick because I don’t think the Vikings are finished revamping the line. He fits the same mold as Boone and Smith being more talented in the run blocking department than as a pass protector. Conklin can offer competition for Matt Kalil at left tackle or he can be plugged in at left guard as an immediate starter. Boone could play right guard and Brandon Fusco could compete at center or either guard spot.
I also believe that wide receiver is not a locked and loaded priority in the first-round for the Vikings.
[pull_quote_center]”We had a receiver here that was making a lot of money that really didn’t do what we needed to do,” Zimmer said. “So I don’t know that it’s a necessity to go out and sign another wide receiver. We’ve got to get better with the guys we’ve got, and we’ve got to fix other areas that can allow these receivers to be more effective in the games.”[/pull_quote_center]
With untapped potential in Cordarrelle Patterson and Charles Johnson on the roster, maybe Zimmer is speaking the truth about finding ways to make them more effective. With great value at the receiver position in the second and third-rounds featuring prospects like Tyler Boyd, Micheal Thomas, Braxton Miller, Rashard Higgins, Kenny Lawler, Charone Peake, Leonte Carroo and Tajae Sharpe the Vikings shouldn’t be feeling pressure to reach for Doctson.
New tight ends coach Pat Shurmur loves to get his tight ends and backs involved in the passing game, thus reducing the need to take a first-round wide receiver. Shurmur is a Michigan State alumni, and offensive line coach Tony Sparano will love a physical blue collar guy like Conklin.
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Would love this pick. Conklin in 1, Michael Thomas in 2 and Vernon Butler in 3 would be my dream first 3 rounds. I don't think any of them will be there though. I suspect they will all be just a little out of reach. I believe the Vikes end up going WR in the first round because there's still a good chance that either Doctson or Treadwell are there and there's a very good chance that one of those guys is actually the best fit/value/need that we can get from the 23 spot. We'll see.
YES YES YES! I am all for BPA in the 1st. Just not a WR. Like you stated, there are going to be WR's available in the 2nd round. Between Thomas, Miller & Boyd, one of them should be available at 54.
I like the Conklin pick or whatever OT they feel is the best fit. Your analysis of Conklin completing at left tackle and possibly starting at left guard, for now, is great. I read somewhere that Boone was much better at right guard than he was at left guard for the 49ers last season. Conklin also has that mean/tough streak that management said they want to bring to the unit. I really think your onto something here. Also, I do remember Zimmer's comments about improving in other areas. I believe there was also talk about the line and not being done with changes to it.
Well if there OT is gone in the 1st before they pick, BPA may be an OLB or DT. Can't complain about them picking OLB - Lee or Floyd if they are still available.
Still wishful that RB Elliot slips though.
1 - OT Conklin or OLB Lee or Flyod
2 - WR Thomas, Boyd or Miller
3 - BPA somebody's going to slip. Best available RB, maybe Paul Perkins?
4 - SS Killebrew
5 - OG Kirkland
I like Zim's statement and I do agree. I am not ready to write off Johnson, Diggs, Wright, Thielen, and Patterson. I think that they can be a very good WR group. Beef up the o line so that Teddy has some time to go through his reads. They have all kinds of potential from the Left Guard to the Right side. I would like to see at least competition if not replacement at LT. Conklin could be that. I have also heard argument outside of this website about trading up to 6 or 7. They don't have room to sign too many more, trading their first and third, maybe one later, this year plus a second round next year (maybe their first, I just wouldn't like their first and second two years in a row to move up in the first this year) might just put them in a position to pick up Tunsil. With TN out of the mix now, it is likely that Goff and Wentz will go 1-2, who knows next? Ramsey, Jack, and Bosa could go in the next three. The Ravens are in the same boat that MN was the last few years, they have many holes to fill. But would they be willing to trade all the way down to 23 this year and what would likely be a later first round pick next year plus 3 or 4 (plus I am thinking that they would also want Minny's second round pick this year OR next) mid rounders this year and next to give up the 6th? I know that is a lot, but to pick up a guy that was slotted as the first pick of the draft up until yesterday..
I also would not think that it would be a good trade if they were to take their selves out of the mix to land Killebrew or one of the other very good safeties that are going to be going in rounds 2 and 3 this year
No WR first round please.
If he's still there at 23, it'll be DT Andrew Billings from Baylor. Zim knows you win SB's with defense. Teddy and his improved protection will do enough to win on the scoreboard.