The Vikings are scheduled to make eight selections in the 2018 NFL Draft, beginning with the first round on Thursday night.
The draft will be historic for multiple reasons. It will be the first to occur in Texas and the first hosted by an NFL stadium. It also is an opportunity for the Vikings to add to their lore.
Minnesota is scheduled to select once in the first (30th overall), second (62nd), third (94th), fifth (167th) and seventh (225th) rounds and three times in the sixth (204th, 213th and 218th).
Anyone who has followed the Vikings in recent drafts has witnessed General Manager Rick Spielman's penchant for trades, so those spots could change, but in the lead-up to this year's "player selection meeting," we thought we'd recap players who have come off the board at the corresponding spots in the past 10 drafts.
30th
2017 Steelers: T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
2016 Panthers: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
2015 Packers: Damarious Randall, CB, Arizona State
2014 49ers: Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois
2013 Rams: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
2012 49ers: A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois
2011 Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
2010 Lions: Jahvid Best, RB, California
2009 Titans: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
2008 Jets: Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
Defense does it: A defender has gone off the board at this spot in each of the past five drafts. Watt totaled 7.0 sacks in 15 games as a rookie. Randall totaled 10 interceptions in 30 starts over the past three seasons and was dealt to Cleveland for DeShone Kizer last month. Ogletree started 67 games for the Rams and was traded to the Giants in March. Wilkerson, who started 101 of 105 games played for the Jets, has one Pro Bowl to his credit and joined the Packers this offseason.
62nd
2017 Steelers: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Southern Cal
2016 Panthers: James Bradberry, CB, Samford
2015 Packers: Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (Ohio)
2014 Patriots: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
2013 49ers: Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M
2012 Packers: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt
2011 Dolphins: Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State
2010 Patriots: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
2009 Titans: Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn
2008 Patriots: Terrence Wheatley, DB, Colorado
Strong debuts and peaking pair: Smith-Schuster caught 58 passes for 917 yards and seven touchdowns, including a 97-yarder in his debut season with the Steelers. Bradberry has started all 29 games he's played. After heading to San Francisco, Garoppolo won all five of his starts to end 2017. He and the 49ers are scheduled to open 2018 at Minnesota. Hayward has reached the Pro Bowl in each of his past two seasons as a Charger.
94th
2017 Steelers: Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee
2016 Seahawks: Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State
2015 Packers: Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford
2014 Browns: Terrance West, RB, Towson
2013 Ravens: Brandon Williams, DT, Missouri Southern
2012 Giants: Jayron Hosley, DB, Virginia Tech
2011 Jets: Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton
2010 Colts: Kevin Thomas, DB, Southern Cal
2009 Titans: Ryan Mouton, DB, Hawaii
2008 Patriots: Kevin O'Connell, QB, San Diego State
Baltimore finds interior force: Vannett has 15 catches on 19 targets in two seasons. Montgomery shifted to fill a need at running back for the Packers. He has 148 rush attempts and 67 receptions in the past two seasons. West started 13 of 16 games played for the Ravens in 2016. Williams has been a force on the interior of the defensive line after becoming a starter in 2014. After four seasons with the Jets, Ellis played in nine games for the Vikings in 2015.
View the Vikings 2018 schedule in photos.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went 5-0 as a starter to close out 2017, completing 120 of 178 passes (67.4 percent) for 1,560 yards. He threw seven touchdowns and five interceptions.
49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He has 9.0 career sacks.
The 49ers also made a splash on defense by signing three-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman, who started 99 of the 105 games he played in seven seasons with the Seahawks but suffered an Achilles injury in 2017.
In the Week 16 game, the Vikings defense held Green Bay scoreless for the first time since 1971 and first time ever at Lambeau Field.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers did not play in the teams' past meeting; Rodgers was sidelined for the majority of the season after suffering a broken collarbone at Minnesota in Week 6.
Green Bay defensive tackle Mike Daniels earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2017.
Buffalo wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was acquired via trade midway through the 2017 season. He had 475 yards and two touchdowns in eight games with the Bills.
Buffalo was active out of the gate when free agency opened, signing quarterback AJ McCarron (pictured), defensive end Trent Murphy and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, among others.
Bills running back LeSean McCoy put together the sixth 1,000-yard season of his career in 2017 when he rushed for 1,138 yards and six touchdowns.
In 2017, the Rams defensively ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed per play (4.7), but defensive tackle Aaron Donald made was a First-Team All-Pro for the third straight year.
In the teams' most-recent meeting, the Vikings limited Rams quarterback Jared Goff to 225 yards and a passer rating of 79.6.
The Rams added a number of high-caliber free agents to their roster during the 2017 offseason, including DT Ndamukong Suh (pictured) and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters.
This year's game will be a rematch of the 2017 NFC Championship game, in which the Vikings lost to the eventual Super Bowl LII champs.
Eagles QB Nick Foles stepped up in Week 14 when Carson Wentz suffered a season-ending knee injury; Foles went on to earn Super Bowl MVP honors.
Philadelphia wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey has nine career touchdown catches in 10 total games against the Vikings.
Arizona signed former Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford during free agency. Bradford will be able to target Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald, who is back for his 15th season.
Arizona running back David Johnson missed nearly all of the 2017 season after racking up 2,118 scrimmage yards and 20 total touchdowns in 2016.
Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson has 21 career interceptions over the first seven seasons of his career.
Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams has 12 career sacks in three seasons since being the sixth overall pick in 2015.
The Jets signed former Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater in free agency this offseason and also re-signed Josh McCown.
This year's matchup will be the first time for Minnesota to play the Jets since 2014 and the first time on the road since 2010.
![Saints quarterback Drew Brees is likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer who ranks third all-time with 70,445 yards and is tied for third [with Tom Brady] with 488 career touchdown passes.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/f0ux3pazn3rpqyfqvj0e.jpg)
Saints quarterback Drew Brees is likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer who ranks third all-time with 70,445 yards and is tied for third [with Tom Brady] with 488 career touchdown passes.
New Orleans had the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year in running back Alvin Kamara (pictured) and the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year in cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 728 yards and had 826 receiving yards in his first NFL season.
Detroit wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., has 28 career touchdown catches.
Lions kicker Matt Prater has made 20 of 24 career field goal attempts against the Vikings.
Lions cornerback Darius Slay tied for the league lead with eight interceptions in 2017 and garnered his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky started 12 games in his rookie season, going 4-8 while completing 196 of 330 passes (59.4 percent) for 2,193 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Minnesota's 2017 victory was the Vikings second win in Chicago in the past 10 seasons, but second in four seasons under Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer.
Chicago's Leonard Floyd has 11.5 sacks in 22 career games.
Packers wide receiver Davante Adams has double-digit receiving touchdowns in each of the past two seasons.
Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb has 39 career touchdown catches over his seven-year career.
Green Bay's Clay Matthews ranks ninth among active players with 80.0 career sacks.
Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has 250 career regular-season wins, which is tied for fourth all-time with Tom Landry.
Since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002, the Patriots have a record of 108-21 at home.
![New England quarterback Tom Brady has won three NFL MVP awards and is a four-time Super Bowl MVP. Brady is tied for third [with Drew Brees] with 488 career touchdown passes and is fourth in NFL history with 66,159 passing yards.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/v34xdeypxfw1ptlhnraq.jpg)
New England quarterback Tom Brady has won three NFL MVP awards and is a four-time Super Bowl MVP. Brady is tied for third [with Drew Brees] with 488 career touchdown passes and is fourth in NFL history with 66,159 passing yards.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is 65-30-1 in six seasons as a starter. He has thrown for 12,226 yards and 89 touchdowns over the past three seasons.
Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin has 29 receiving touchdowns over the past three seasons.
Seattle safety Kam Chancellor has been named to the Pro Bowl four times in the last seven seasons.
Miami went 6-10 in 2017 to finish in third place in the AFC East. The Dolphins defense, led by defensive end Cameron Wake, ranked 29th by allowing 24.6 yards per game.
![The Dolphins signed running back Frank Gore this offseason. Gore is the NFL's active leader [and is fifth all-time] with 14,026 rushing yards.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/kzahaq8be2uyxenbvmen.jpg)
The Dolphins signed running back Frank Gore this offseason. Gore is the NFL's active leader [and is fifth all-time] with 14,026 rushing yards.
Besides Gore, Miami also signed wide receiver Danny Amendola, who has 19 career touchdown catches.
The Vikings won in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day in 2017 by the score of 30-23.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has been more than a mainstay, not missing a start since 2010. He has thrown for at least 4,257 yards in each of the past seven seasons.
The Vikings were able to limit Golden Tate to 36 yards on seven catches in 2017 a season after he totaled 158 yards and a game-winning score on 16 receptions in 2016.
Bears running back Jordan Howard has rushed for more than 1,100 yards in each of his first two NFL seasons.
This will be the third straight meeting in Week 17 at U.S. Bank Stadium between the Vikings and Bears.
![Bears running back Tarik Cohen scored four total touchdowns [including on a punt return] during his rookie season in 2017.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/yc2nug1uodywxrz2sglx.jpg)
Bears running back Tarik Cohen scored four total touchdowns [including on a punt return] during his rookie season in 2017.
167th
2017 Giants: Avery Moss, DE, Youngstown State
2016 Cardinals: Marqui Christian, S, Midwestern State
2015 Saints: Damian Swann, CB, Georgia
2014 Saints: Vinnie Sunseri, DB, Alabama
2013 Packers: Josh Boyd, DL, Mississippi State
2012 Bengals: George Iloka, S, Boise State
2011 Bengals: Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford
2010 Vikings: Nate Triplett, LB, Minnesota
2009 Cardinals: Herman Johnson, T, LSU
2008 Cowboys: Erik Walden, DE/LB, Middle Tennessee State
Safety play: Iloka highlights the players who have been drafted with the 167th pick in the past 10 drafts. He has started 76 of 83 games and recorded nine interceptions. Iloka had Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer as his defensive coordinator from 2012-13.
204th
2017 Jets: Derrick Jones, CB, Mississippi
2016 Dolphins: Jordan Lucas, S, Penn State
2015 Ravens: Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech
2014 Panthers: Tyler Gaffney, RB, Stanford
2013 Chiefs: Braden Wilson, FB, Kansas State
2012 Browns: Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas
2011 Broncos: Virgil Green, TE, Nevada
2010 Panthers: Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati
2009 Cardinals: Will Davis, DE, Illinois
2008 Dolphins: Lex Hilliard, RB, Montana
Mining a tight end:Green turned out to be quite the seventh-round find for the Broncos. He started 49 of 100 games played for Denver, totaling 71 receptions for 807 yards and four touchdowns. Green signed with the Chargers this offseason.
213th
2017 Steelers: Colin Holba, LS, Louisville
2016 49ers: Aaron Burbridge, WR, Michigan State
2015 Packers: Kennard Backman, TE, Alabama-Birmingham
2014 Jets: Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
2013 Vikings: Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State
2012 Redskins: Richard Crawford, DB, SMU
2011 Redskins: Brandyn Thompson, DB, Boise State
2010 Lions: Willie Young, DE, N.C. State
2009 Eagles: Paul Fanaika, G, Arizona State
2008 Jaguars: Chauncey Washington, RB, Southern Cal
A couple of battlers: Mauti played in 23 games for the Vikings, contributing on special teams and as a reserve from 2013-14. He joined the Saints in 2015 and was named New Orleans' Ed Block Courage Award winner this past season after bouncing back from a disease and surgery. Young played four seasons for the Lions (6.0 sacks) and four more for the Bears (26 sacks). He missed all but four games in 2017.
218th
2017 Chiefs: Leon McQuay, S, Southern Cal
2016 Bills: Kevon Seymour, CB, Southern Cal
2015 Raiders: Anthony Morris, OL, Tennessee State
2014 Ravens: Michael Campanaro, WR, Wake Forest
2013 Eagles: Jordan Poyer, DB, Oregon State
2012 Chiefs: Jerome Long, DT, San Diego State
2011 Packers: Ryan Taylor, TE, North Carolina
2010 Bears: J'Marcus Webb, T, West Texas A&M
2009 Packers: Brad Jones, LB, Colorado
2008 Lions: Caleb Campbell, DB, Army
Couple of guys on the rise: Campanaro had a career-best 19 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown in 2017. Poyer started 15 games for the Bills in 2017. Taylor played in 50 games for Green Bay. Webb started 44 of 46 games played, including one for the Vikings in 2013. Jones spent six seasons with the Packers, totaling 10 sacks in 36 starts.
225th
2017 Chargers: Isaac Rochell, DT, Notre Dame
2016 Patriots: Devin Lucien, WR, Arizona State
2015 Falcons: Jake Rodgers, T, Eastern Washington
2014 Vikings: Jabari Price, CB, North Carolina
2013 Giants: Eric Herman, OL, Ohio
2012 Seahawks: J.R. Sweezy, G, N.C. State
2011 Ravens: Anthony Allen, RB, Georgia Tech
2010 Broncos: Syd'Quan Thompson, DB, California
2009 Broncos: Blake Schlueter, C, TCU
2008 Cardinals: Brandon Keith, T, Northern Iowa
Switcheroo: Price played in 14 games as a rookie before injuries mounted. Sweezy has started 49 of 59 games on the offensive line in five seasons, which is impressive for a guy who played defensive tackle for the Wolfpack.
