Vikings 7-th round mock draft, if we didn’t need an O-Line edition.
Simon Bruus
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Yea. We all know that the Vikings will be scrambling to put together a functioning O-Line come draft day, but what if, and just bare with me for a second, what if the Vikings weren’t in severe need of an O-line and could fill some other holes rather than just bring in OL help? Well this may be what it’d look like.
Round 2, Pick 48: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida.
With the retirement of Chad Greenway the Vikings now find themselves without their starting ROLB and while many think Emmanuel Lamur could fill that spot the Vikings could possibly use their first pick of the 2017 draft to fill the spot if an ultra talented LB falls into their lap at pick 48. Jarrad Davis would be an ideal pick at 48, he’s an productive LB who stepped in after an injury in his freshman year and played every game, in his sophomore season he suffered a leg injury keeping him out, however in his junior year he came out balling. Davis is a gifted athlete at 6’2 – 238lbs with long limbs and fantastic flexibility allowing him to attack gaps with ease, he has fantastic speed and acceleration allowing him to close holes quickly. He’s able to forcefully redirect TE’s out of the routes and has all the physical gifts to excel in coverage if asked. He’s able to use his acceleration to explode of the line and could thus be a gifted blitzed in certain packages if Zimmer saw fit.
Davis would fit the locker room type that Rick Spielman has become known for as he’s been praised by scouts for his off the field personality and work ethic. Davis would be able to compete for the starting job from day 1 and should be able to get coach up by Zimmer to complete and already scary good linebacker core.
Update: Since I wrote this breakdown Davis has shot up draft boards and will most likely be gone by the first round, we’re allowed to dream though.
Round 3, pick 79: Marcus Maye, S, Florida.
Apr 8, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Marcus Maye (20) looks on in the fourth quarter during the Orange and Blue game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Blue won 38-6. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
With the Viking’s first pick in the third round they head back to Florida to pick up Marcus Maye. The first-team All-American safety impressed everyone in his junior season with his play, flying around the field making plays on the ball. Maye has the prototypical frame for a safety with a muscular core and long arms allowing him to not only operate around the line of scrimmage but also excel in coverage. High football IQ would allow him to step in day 1 either as a box safety or as a free safety, depending on what Zimmer sees mixing best with Harrison Smith. Maye has great pattern recognition allowing him to break up plays in both man and zone, he’s a secure tackler and wraps up well allowing him to make very few mistakes. Always tries to punch out the ball and never quits on a play. Maye could step in from day 1 if needed, if not allowing Zimmer to fine tune his coverage skills could be very beneficial for Maye.
Round 3, pick 86: Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington.
Sep 3, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Eastern Washington Eagles wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) celebrates after a game against the against the Washington State Cougars at Martin Stadium. The Eagles won 45-42. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Talk about a steal. If this does come true the Vikings may have one of the most complete receiver cores in the NFL, Cooper Kupp is a world-class slot receiver who’s quickness allows him to separate in small spaces and make plays with the balls in his hands. Think of a Julian Edelman but of course not as polished or NFL ready but with all the tools there, that’s Cooper Kupp. Just imagine for a second a WR corps with Diggs and Thielen on the outside, Treadwell coming in on short yardage and red zone situations and Kupp in the slot, orgasmic.
Round 4, pick 121: D’onta Foreman, RB, Texas.
With Adrian Peterson most likely gone for good the Vikings look to complement Jerick McKinnon with another running back, D’Onta Foreman out of Texas could be a valuable pick up here. Foreman is the opposite of McKinnon, he’s tall for the position at 6’1 – 233lbs and can absolutely move people at the point of impact. However, just like McKinnon, Foreman has outstanding athleticism, agility and good enough football IQ to very rarely take losses. Foreman is outstanding at navigating up field, making cuts and changes of direction with out losing a step. He’s still raw and could have benefitted from another year in school and is a total liability in pass protection, but the raw talent is definitely there.
Round 4, pick 129: Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
While Kyle Rudolph had a career season last year he’s been known for not being the most trustworthy guy when it comes to staying healthy, therefore the Vikings could look in the draft for a capable backup that could in the future compete for first team snaps. Butt out of Michigan was one of the top TE’s in the country last year before his ACL injury in the Citrus Bowl. He has hands like glue and pretty much anything you throw at him he’ll catch making him a valuable target in the redzone and as a possession TE. He has enough atheltiscm to make plays after the catch and move the sticks if the ball is thrown short. Butt is a hardworking guy that could compete for snaps right away and be a plug and play player in 2 TE sets.
Round 5, pick 160: KD Cannon, WR, Baylor
The Vikings need a deep threat and Cannon is one of the most underrated deep threat prospects in the draft.
Round 6, pick 199: C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa
C.J. Beathard was a reliable QB for the Iowa Hawkeyes during his college career and could transition well to a back-up QB.
Round 7, pick 232: Zane Gonzalez, K, Arizona State
The Vikings fill a need and bring in the best kicker in the draft.