The 2016 NFL Draft is exactly two weeks away, and Evan Silva and Josh Norris of *Rotoworld *tossed out some ideas that could potentially help the Vikings.
Silva believes the Vikings could use a wide receiver, safety and offensive tackle to help improve their roster.
No. 1 Team Need: Wide Receiver
Silva wrote that General Manager Rick Spielman "stole Stefon Diggs in the fifth round" of the 2015 NFL Draft. Silva added:* *
To complement 6-foot, 195-pound Diggs, Minnesota could use a big, physical run-after-catch receiver capable of turning Teddy Bridgewater's high-percentage passes into bigger gains.
No. 2 Team Need: Safety
Silva mentioned the return of Andrew Sendejo and the signing of free agent Michael Griffin as options to pair with Harrison Smith. Silva added:
Coach Mike Zimmer tends to value versatility from his safeties, although he has that already in Smith.
*No. 3 Team Need: Tackle *
Silva wrote that the team could take a look at tackles in this year's draft with Matt Kalil heading into his fifth year.
Norris released a mock draft for all seven rounds. Minnesota has eight picks in the upcoming draft.
He projected Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, LSU linebacker Deion Jones, West Virginia safety K.J. Dillon, Stanford tackle Kyle Murphy, Northwestern fullback Dan Vitale, Iowa center Austin Blythe, Temple wide receiver Robby Anderson and Florida Atlantic defensive lineman Trevon Coley.
Here's what Norris had to say on the first three projected selections:
*Round 1 (23): WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss - There is positive buzz around practically every top receiver in this class (Josh Doctson, Michael Thomas, Will Fuller) ... except for Treadwell. This would be a great landing spot for the Ole Miss star, who is super physical both before and after the catch. He is the type of possession receiver teams should target.*
*Round 2 (54): LB Deion Jones, LSU - I would be excited to see a linebacking trio of Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr and Jones. The LSU prospect has plenty of closing speed and displays awareness in coverage to process his assignments.*
Round 3 (86): S K.J. Dillon, West Virginia - Dillon can do a little bit of everything. He showed a willingness to attack ball carriers near the line of scrimmage during Senior Bowl week. Dillon also has experience lining up across from slot receivers. **