Mel Kiper Gives a Beautiful Draft Prediction for the Vikings
Josh Frey
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Assuming the Vikings don’t land one of the top four QBs, it seems most likely that they will target a cornerback with the 23rd overall pick. Mel Kiper of ESPN seems to agree as the draft analyst has a truly beautiful draft prediction for the Vikings just hours before the draft’s beginning.
In this final mock draft, the draft analyst has the Vikings landing Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr., which would truly be one of the bigger steals of the first round. Here is what Kiper had to say of the selection:
If Minnesota can’t move up for Richardson or Levis in the teens — and if it doesn’t want to take quarterback Hendon Hooker (Tennessee) here — it should focus on the cornerbacks. Porter is physical and long, and he’ll create more turnovers at the next level than he did in college.
Porter is one of the longest corners in this class, measuring in with 34″ arms at the scouting combine this spring. Additionally, his 6’2 and 193-pound frame allows him to play very physical football at the line of scrimmage, and he dominates man-to-man matchups.
If the Penn State cornerback fell all the way to No. 23, new defensive coordinator Brian Flores should be salivating over the idea of adding a prospect of Porter’s stature to his defense. Assuming the Vikings send a number of blitzes with their linebackers and safeties, having corners that can win one-on-one battles in the secondary is vital for success. Porter is one of the best in this class (a deep class, at that) in this area.
Perhaps most intriguing, though, is the fact that he is the son of former Pittsburgh Steeler great, Joey Porter. The elder Porter played 13 years in the NFL from 1999-2011 as a linebacker, and over the course of his career he made four Pro Bowls and an All-Pro in 2002. He was also named to the second-team All-2000s team by the Hall of Fame.
Many of the same traits are visible in the young Porter, which makes it seem like a lock that he’ll find success at the NFL level. Here is what we said in a scouting report of the Penn State product during this offseason:
The physicality that Joey Porter Jr. plays with is overwhelming at the line of scrimmage. He takes full advantage of his sturdy 6’2 frame when meeting receivers on the snap. This allows him to force receivers off-route and into the sideline when guarding on the outside. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a very sure tackler when he gets the opportunity.
Personally, I am of the mindset that the Vikings will ultimately land with Deonte Banks when the first round is said and done. That is nothing against the talent of Porter. Rather, I find it hard to believe he’d make it past the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 17 for obvious reasons. Not only is he the son of one of their own star linebackers, but with the loss of Cam Sutton in free agency, they need a corner. If the Vikings land Porter, though, that would be a huge win.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.