Perfect Picks: Minnesota Vikings
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 1 - Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Mike Zimmer had a reputation for investing heavily in cornerbacks so it’s a surprise to see the position being left as a glaring problem. The experienced Patrick Peterson will hit free agency leaving only Cam Dantzler as a guaranteed starter. Cincinnati Bearcat Ahmad Gardner would step straight into the defense as a starter. He has unbelievable length and vine-like arms, making him difficult to get away from in coverage. Gardner was a shutdown corner in college and you’d be hard pushed to bet against him doing the same at the next level.
Round 2 - Damone Clark, LB, LSU
The linebacker spot is going to see an overhaul on the Vikings sooner rather than later. Resigning Anthony Barr seems unlikely and Eric Kendricks at 30 is no longer a long term fixture. Chazz Surratt was taken as a projection so a do-it-all type like Damone Clark makes a lot of sense. Clark has good sideline to sideline speed, coverage skills and tackling ability. While he doesn’t have the wow plays of Devin Lloyd or Nakobe Dean he has the hallmarks of a player who can come in and be a reliable 3 down LB at the next level.
Mid Round Gem - Cole Strange, IOL, Chattanooga
Cole Strange went to the Senior Bowl to prove he could cut it with the best in college football. The Chattanooga product was up and down but certainly didn’t look out of place. Strange played predominantly left guard and a bit of tackle in college but took reps as a center during the All Star game. Current incumbent Garrett Bradbury is under pressure after a bad year. The Vikings have the option to use the fifth year option on him but looking for a replacement would be sensible. Early in his career Strange would offer depth before looking to take on a permanent role displacing either Bradbury or Oli Udoh at guard.
Late Round Sleeper - DeAngelo Malone, Edge, Western Kentucky
If anyone knows about developing long, athletic pass rushers then it is the Vikings. They took Danielle Hunter in the third round and developed him into one of the league’s premier pass rushers. Malone is rawer than that and his 6’4, 240lbs frame needs NFL conditioning. At the moment he would be a situational stand-up rusher. NFL teams could be tempted to work him as a SAM linebacker early in his career. What he can do is locate the QB, the former high school receiver, tallied 37 sacks in his Western Kentucky career. Malone will go with DJ Wonnum and Patrick Jones to see if the Vikes can find their next defensive gem.
Draft In Full:
12. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
46. Damone Clark, LB, LSU
77. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
155. Cole Strange, IOL, Chattanooga
184. Zach VanValkenburg, EDGE, Iowa
192. Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota
209. DeAngelo Malone, EDGE, Western Kentucky
231. Akayleb Evans, CB, Missouri
