The 2018 NFL Draft is just around the corner.
One of the league's most important events kicks off with the first round at 7 p.m. (CT) on April 26 in Dallas at AT&T Stadium. The second and third rounds will be held on April 27 and begin at 6 p.m. (CT). Round 4 will start at 11 a.m. (CT) on April 28 and be followed by Rounds 5-7.
The Vikings currently have eight selections in the draft, beginning with the 30th overall pick. Minnesota went 13-3 in 2017 and reached the NFC title game.
Vikings.com is taking a glance at the top prospects at each position leading up to the draft.
Schedule
April 17: Running backs
April 18: Receivers
April 19: Tight ends
April 20: Tackles
April 21: Interior Offensive Linemen
April 22: Defensive tackles
April 23: Defensive ends
April 24: Linebackers
April 25: Cornerbacks
April 26: Safeties
Where the Vikings Stand
If you haven't heard, the Vikings have a new quarterback in Kirk Cousins. The former Washington starter, who signed with Minnesota as a free agent on March 15, has thrown for at least 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of the past three seasons. The Vikings also added backup Trevor Siemian in a trade with the Denver Broncos. Siemian has 24 career starts. Kyle Sloter also returns after spending most of the 2017 season on the 53-man roster. Sloter was active for six games but did not play as a rookie.
Recent Draft History (over past five years)
Total number of quarterbacks taken: 57
Round 1: 12
Round 2: 5
Round 3: 7
Round 4: 11
Round 5: 5
Round 6: 10
Round 7: 7
Quarterbacks have gone at or near the top of the draft in recent years as teams search for long-term solutions for their franchise. If a team doesn't take a high profile player early on, there is a tendency to wait until the fourth or sixth round to try and find a potential diamond in the rough. Cousins was a fourth-round selection in 2012.
The Prospects (based on**rankings by CBS Sports**)
1. Mason Rudolph
Oklahoma State, Senior, 6-foot-5, 235 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *4.90 seconds
Vertical jump: 26 inches
2017 stats: completed 318 of 489 pass attempts (65 percent) for 4,904 yards with 37 touchdowns and nine interceptions; rushed for 35 yards on 61 attempts for 10 touchdowns
2. Lamar Jackson
Louisville, Junior, 6-foot-3 200 pounds
Combine numbers
Jackson did not participate in on-field drills at the combine.
2017 stats: completed 254 of 430 passes (59.1 percent) for 3,660 yards with 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; totaled 1,601 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 232 attempts (6.9 yards per carry)
3. Josh Rosen
UCLA, Junior, 6-foot-4, 226 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *4.92 seconds
Bench press: did not participate
Vertical jump: 31 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 3 inches
3-cone drill: 7.09 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.28 seconds
2017 stats: completed 283 of 452 passes (62.6 percent) for 3,756 yards with 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; added two rushing touchdowns
4. Sam Darnold
Southern Cal, Redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-3, 221 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash: 4.85 seconds
Bench press: did not participate
Broad jump: 8 feet, 9 inches
Vertical jump: 26.5 inches
3-cone drill: 6.96 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.40 seconds
60-yard shuttle: did not participate
2017 stats: completed 303 of 480 passes (63.1 percent) for 4,143 yards with 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions; had 75 rushing attempts for 82 yards and five touchdowns
5. Baker Mayfield
Oklahoma, Redshirt senior, 6-foot-1, 215 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash: 4.84 seconds
Bench press: did not participate
Broad jump: 9 feet, 3 inches
Vertical jump: 29 inches
3-cone drill: 7.00 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.28 seconds
60-yard shuttle: did not participate
2017 stats: completed 285 of 404 passes (70.5 percent) for 4,627 yards with 43 touchdowns and six interceptions; had 97 rushing attempts for 311 yards and five touchdowns
6. Josh Allen
Wyoming, Redshirt junior, 6-foot-5, 237 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash: 4.75 seconds
Bench press: did not participate
Broad jump: 9 feet, 11 inches
Vertical jump: 33.5 inches
3-cone drill: 6.9 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.4 seconds
2017 stats: completed 152 of 270 pass attempts (56.3 percent) for 1,812 yards, 16 touchdowns, six interceptions; 92 rush attempts for 204 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games
7. Logan Woodside
Toledo, Senior, 6-foot-1, 213 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *4.79 seconds
Bench press: did not participate
Vertical jump: 31.5 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet, 7 inches
3-cone drill: 6.94 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.15 seconds
2017 stats: completed 264 of 411 pass attempts (64.2 percent) for 3,882 yards, 28 touchdowns, eight interceptions; 51 rush attempts for 34 yards and a touchdown in 14 games
8. Mike White
Western Kentucky, Redshirt senior, 6-foot-5, 224 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *5.09 seconds
Bench press: did not participate
Vertical jump: 27 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet
3-cone drill: 7.40 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.40 seconds
2017 stats: completed 368 of 560 pass attempts (65.7 percent) for 4,177 yards, 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions; added six rushing touchdowns in 13 games
9. Kyle Lauletta
Richmond, Redshirt senior, 6-foot-3, 233 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *4.81 seconds
Bench press: did not participate
Vertical jump: 31 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 5 inches
3-cone drill: 6.95 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.07 seconds
2017 stats: completed 281 of 433 pass attempts (64.9 percent) for 3,737 yards, 28 touchdowns, 12 interceptions; 68 rush attempts for 90 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games
10. Nick Stevens
Colorado State, Redshirt senior, 6-foot-3, 215 pounds
Combine numbers
-Was not invited to 2018 combine
2017 stats: completed 284 of 459 pass attempts (61.9 percent) for 3,799 yards, 29 touchdowns, 10 interceptions; 54 rush attempts for 123 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games
