With the shank heard round the world, the Minnesota Vikings exited the playoffs last year after a freakishly cold game against the Seattle Seahawks. While it stung at the time, the improvement in draft position is one that could pay off down the road for the Vikings, who should be a perennial playoff contender for the next decade as they’ve solved the two biggest issues with any NFL team; they have their head coach (Mike Zimmer) and their quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater).
The Vikings have worked free agent correctly, shoring up their offensive line and defense with some top-tier players. This Perfect Mock Draft will add some playmakers and depth to the Vikings as they make another run at the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North.
To see my Perfect Draft for every team click here.
Round 1, Pick 23 – Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
2015: 78 catches, 1,326 yards, 14 touchdowns, 6-foot-2, 202 pounds
Doctson is ready to step on the field on the first day of training camp and make an immediate impact for a team. His 4.43 speed is enough to run by anybody and his 41-inch vertical jump means there won’t be too many passes out of his reach. His production last season matched his talent and, if anything, he gets better when the field gets shorter as his 14 touchdowns attest. The Vikes struck gold in the fifth round with Stefan Diggs last year and if they can get anything in the passing game out of Cordarelle Patterson, Doctson will be the perfect addition to a suddenly explosive Minnesota passing game.
Round 2, Pick 54 – Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford
2015: Outland Trophy winner, first-team All-PAC 12, 6-foot-4, 312 pounds
Garnett is a specimen at his size and a day-one NFL starter. The Vikings addressed their offensive line already in free agency, but Garnett is a no-brainer to addition to a line that needs plenty of help to keep Bridgewater upright and Adrian Peterson running.
Round 3, Pick 86 – Joe Haeg, OT, North Dakota State
2015: Two-time All-American, 6-foot-6, 304 pounds
The emergence of Carson Wentz as a pro quarterback prospect helped the guy that guarded his blind side rocket up draft boards. Haeg is a star who knows how to work. He came to school as a freshman just weighing 230 pounds and had to walk onto the football team. Four years later he was the best offensive tackle in Division I-FCS on the best team.
Round 4, Pick 121 – Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois
2015: 54 tackles, 45. for a loss, 2.5 sacks, two passes defended, one fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, 6-foot-5, 297 pounds
Ward is an outstanding athlete who only switched to the defensive line in junior college. In high school he was a wide receiver and safety and considering he’s 6-5 and nearly 300 pounds, that should be scary as hell to think about. Ward is a project but one that could pay dividends later. He should be able to enter the defensive line rotation, especially as a rusher this season, but if Zimmer can work his magic on him, he could be a Robert Quinn-type defensive end in a year or two.
Round 5, Pick 160 – Tom Hackett, Punter, Utah
2015: 61 punts, 48.0 yard average, 5-foot-10, 198 pounds
The Vikings find themselves in need of a punter, so why not add the best punter in college football to the team? Hackett’s punt average led the nation in 2015 and that was after his overall yardage led the nation the year before.
Round 6, Pick 180 – Brandon Shell, OT, South Carolina
2015: Started 47 consecutive games, 6-foot-5, 324 pounds
Shell has prototype NFL size and quickness. He has long arms to fend off rushers and quick feet to move latterally at the snap. He’s also the great nephew of former Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame tackle Art Shell and that should be all you need to hear.
Round 7, Pick 243 – Aaron Green, RB, TCU
2015: 244 carries, 1,272 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 11 touchdowns, 16 receptions, 117 yards, one touchdown, 5-foot-11, 203 pounds
Green was a star coming out of high school and never disappointed, though his college career took a detour through Nebraska. He won’t be Adrian Peterson, but he should be able to step in and add a spark that current back up running back Jerick McKinnon can’t.
Round 7, Pick 247 – LeShaun Sims, CB, Southern Utah
2015: 54 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, two interceptions, 12 passes defended, one forced fumble, 6-foot-0, 203 pounds
Sims has the size and speed to play in the NFL and was terrific four Southern Utah. The jump in talent he’s covering could be an issue at the next level so he’ll need some work on the practice field and in the film room.
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