Vikings 2017 NFL Draft Prediction (with trades)
Micah Tweeten
|
There are officially just over two days until the Cleveland Browns are on the clock with pick number one in the 2017 NFL Draft. And while there may not be much suspense for who the Browns will pick (Vontae Mack, no matter what?), this is the time where we start hearing stories of life-changing decisions made by front offices either during the draft or after the draft. It’s a weekend of emotions, a weekend of reflection, and a chance for prospects to look back and see the steps along the way that got them to where they are now: an NFL player.
And this is the time I get to look back at how I got here: writing my first article for purplePTSD. It all began a few years ago, when I got more into the rumors, the smoke and mirrors, and the prospects in the draft. I started looking into the different players you’d see go in the first, second, and third rounds of the draft and what players could be steals in the later rounds. It only grew from there as I started making a big board and ranking players until it’s hit a higher peak this year: a visit to the scouting combine, a 383 player big board complete with grades and round projections, and tracking the truth behind endless rumors and info from various sources. And it’s with that background that I get to jump in and go full speed at the NFL Draft. It’s with that background that I present to you: the Vikings picks from my full seven round mock (complete with trades) based on players that teams like, rumors, and my big board.
Round 2, Pick #48: Pat Elflein, OG/OC, Ohio State
Where I have him on my board: #35 Overall, #2 Interior Offensive Lineman
Pro Comparison: Travis Frederick
Vikings Interactions: Top-30 Visit
The Vikings have a couple players I believe they are targeting here. Unlike my counterpart and fellow writer Joe Johnson, I believe that the Vikings interest in Joe Mixon is real. Mixon is a true top five or top ten talent in this draft, but will undoubtedly fall due to character issues (resulting from him punching a woman a few years ago). However, I also don’t think Mixon will be available for the Vikings at pick number 48. I trust the source I got this information from, and rumor has it San Francisco is looking to grab Mixon either at the end of the first or beginning of the second round unless someone unexpectedly drops. I don’t expect Mixon to last real long in the second round with Cincinnati also likely interested in Mixon. The other true possibility here is Dan Feeney, the guard from Indiana. Feeney could sneak into the late part of round one, but will likely still be there when round two starts. But again, much like Mixon, I don’t expect Feeney to last real long in the second round. He could still be at the Vikings pick in round two, but I still like Elflein here regardless if Feeney had dropped in this mock. Elflein is a versatile interior lineman who could either play center (and move Berger to right guard) or start at right guard. He’s an immediate fit into this offense and could start from day one. He’s a smart, hard-working guard with an attitude and he plays nasty (but clean) on the line. He has exceptional technique with his footwork and hands along the line, but lacks the athleticism that the Vikings might like. He’s a patient blocker with a strong initial punch and does well against both the run and against pass rush. He’s exactly the type of guard the Vikings are needing to fill in. This was a no-brainer when the Vikings came on the clock here.
TRADE: Vikings trade picks #79 (3rd round) and #160 (fifth round) to the NY Jets for pick #70 (3rd round).
Round 3, Pick #70 (from Jets): Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy
Where I have him on my board: #63 Overall, #4 Offensive Tackle
Pro Comparison: Jared Veldheer
Vikings Interactions: None
I considered sitting back at #79 and grabbing a receiver like Carlos Henderson (who I really like and compared to a “lesser Antonio Brown”). I thought about staying and taking Duke Riley or Anthony Walker to play linebacker or taking Cam Sutton to play slot corner. I thought about grabbing Ethan Pocic to be the center of the future. But ultimately, I couldn’t resist going up and grabbing Garcia, who seems to be a great fit to play LT or RT in the future for the Vikings. While Garcia would not be an immediate starter unless he beats out Remmers, he’s an extremely athletic tackle with good mirroring ability (especially against speed rushers) and fluid hips. His footwork is extremely quick and he makes great strides in recovery when he gets beat. He will require a year to bulk up more as he is light on his frame and needs to build up more strength. His initial punch is sometimes too late and he’ll need some technical work, but he’s got great athleticism, quick feet, and is farther along technically compared to other “athletic tackles” on our team and in this draft (like our favorite lineman TJ Clemmings).
TRADE: Vikings trade pick #86 to Pittsburgh Steelers for picks #94 (3rd round) and #135 (fourth round).
Round 3, Pick #94 (from Steelers): Jaleel Johnson, 3-Tech DT, Iowa
Where I have him on my board: #94 Overall, #7 Defensive Tackle
Vikings Interactions: Meeting at the Senior Bowl
Again, I looked at receivers here, considered grabbing a corner like Fabian Moreau, a TE like George Kittle, or reaching for a safety or running back. But the pick ultimately came down to Jaleel Johnson, Carlos Watkins, and Larry Ogunjobi who are all graded rather evenly on my board. Ultimately I went with Johnson, a defensive tackle who is quick and explosive off the line. He’s a DT who consistently fights to get the best position possible and he has an extremely high-motor. You don’t see him taking any plays off (unlike other DTs in this draft…ahem…Malik McDowell…ahem). Although he’s rather short and needs to stay lower while breaking through the line, he’s got good arm length and has a great pass rush and also is pretty good in the running game. He’d be a pretty good replacement for Sharrif Floyd in the long-run (if Floyd can’t make it back) and could start from day one if need be, or work on building strength while Tom Johnson starts.
Round 4, Pick #120: Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida
Where I have him on my board: #101 Overall, #8 Running Back
Vikings Interactions: Top-30 Visit
From here on out, the secondary needs can be filled with the best players available that also fit our schemes. Mack is an explosive back with a good skill-set to compliment Murray, Mack is an elusive and agile back with the ability to catch out of the backfield (although McKinnon would be a better receiving option). He’s an exceptionally good run-outside-the-tackles kind of back and can run well inside the tackles, he just needs to commit to it more. He’s had a ‘slight’ fumbling issue while at USF (12 fumbles in 3 years…), but that can (hopefully) be fixed if he’s going to play an important part for the Vikings.
Round 4, Pick #128: Corn Elder, Slot Cornerback, Miami (FL)
Where I have him on my board: #112 Overall, #16 Cornerback
Vikings Interactions: None
I know, I know. Why draft another corner? Don’t we have our second rounder Mackensie Alexander to play the slot this year? (and I loved that pick last year for the record…) Well, Corn Elder is a competitive and confident corner who plays much bigger than his listed 5’10” size would indicate. He’s quick, aggressive, and physical (sounds a lot like a Zimmer corner, am I right?) and excels in press coverage. His size will prevent him from playing an outside corner role against receivers that would be three to six inches taller than him, but he’s got great hip rotation and mirroring abilities in coverage. He’s got above average instincts and hands in terms of creating turnovers and could be a difference maker in our secondary (especially if Waynes/Alexander don’t turn into the players we are all hoping they will be).
Round 4, Pick #135 (from Steelers): Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State
Where I have him on my board: #123 Overall, #9 Linebacker
Vikings Interactions: Private Workout, Top-30 Visit
This is a pick that makes a lot of sense in multiple regards: our shown interest in him and his fit for our defense. Lee is a rangy and speedy linebacker with long arms and an average man coverage ability. He has the ability to play all three downs should Kendricks or Barr get injured. He lacks the ability to break through the line and too often can make the wrong read but would also be a good 2-down linebacker to fill in for Greenway following his retirement.
TRADE: Vikings trade pick #199 (sixth round) to the Cincinnati Bengals for picks #219 (sixth round comp) and #251 (seventh round comp).
Round 6 (Comp from Bengals), Pick #219: Sean Harlow, OG, Oregon State
Where I have him on my board: #194 Overall, #10 Guard
Vikings Interactions: None
Another offensive lineman… I don’t know that the Vikings would draft three linemen in the draft, but after having accumulated two extra picks from when I started, I felt I could afford to pick another lineman without sacrificing the help at other positions. Harlow is a player I’ve heard scouts be all over the place with, from anywhere to being the second or third best guard in the draft to a player that shouldn’t be drafted. He was a tackle at Oregon State, but will move into the guard role in the NFL due to his lack of arm length, but is versatile to the point that he could play guard or center in the NFL. He provides a solid backup with starter potential if he continues to develop under the right coaching staff. He has exceptional power (especially in his legs) and drives his feet well but struggles with hand placement and quickness. Personally, I think he’s worth the shot in the sixth in case he develops into a starting guard or center for the future.
Round 7, Pick #232: Amba Etta-Tawo, Outside WR, Syracuse
Where I have him on my board: #219 Overall, #31 Wide Receiver
Vikings Interactions: Meeting at the Senior Bowl
One of the faster remaining receivers with an ability to challenge the defense over the top, he showed quick development in his only successful season in college. He struggled with drops throughout college (likely due to his smaller hands) and is still exceptionally raw, but he’s an explosive deep ball receiver with the ability to get physical at the catch point if need be. Another good fit for a late round player who could end up making a difference this season or next season by providing the deep ball receiver we need.
Round 7 (Comp from Bengals), Pick #251: Pharoah Brown, TE, Oregon
Where I have him on my board: #246 Overall, #14 Tight End
Vikings Interactions: None
Brown is a risk due to his injury history (a severe leg injury almost resulted in leg amputation in 2014). He played again in 2016 and has since started to look like he’s regaining some of the athleticism that he was lacking post-injury. He shows potential both as a blocker and in his routes, although his hands are poor. He’s got the size needed and is more of a project/gamble in hoping that he returns to his 2014 self.
Well, that officially concludes the 2017 NFL Mock Draft for the Minnesota Vikings. We were able to solidify the line with a new guard, future starting tackle, and a potential starter/backup guard. The team was also able to address the lack of deep threat at receiver, grab a good running back to join Murray in the RBBC, and find replacements for both Chad Greenway and Captain Munnerlyn.