The clock is ticking on the 2018 NFL Draft.
One of the league's most important events kicks off with the first round at 7 p.m. (CT) on April 26 in Dallas. 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.
Vikings.com is taking a glance at the top prospects at each position leading up to the draft.
April 16: **Quarterbacks**
April 17: **Running backs**
April 18: **Receivers** April 19: Tight Ends
April 21: Guards and Centers
April 22: Defensive tackles
April 23: Defensive ends
April 24: Linebackers
April 25: Cornerbacks
April 26: Safeties
Where the Vikings Stand
The Vikings are returning Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers, both of whom were added through free agency last season. Reiff and Remmers started 15 and 11 games in 2017, respectively, missing some time due to injury. Reiff started solely at left tackle, while Remmers started 10 games at right tackle before starting the regular-season finale at right guard. Rashod Hill, who started six games at right tackle in place of Remmers and one at left tackle in place of Reiff, is another returner. Hill started both of the Vikings playoff games at right tackle when Remmers moved to left guard.
The Vikings also have reserve tackles Aviante Collins, Dieugot Joseph, Cedrick Lang and Storm Norton on their current roster.
Recent Draft History (over past five years)
Total number of tackles taken: 81
Round 1: 20
Round 2: 10
Round 3: 8
Round 4: 11
Round 5: 14
Round 6: 8
Round 7: 10
The 2014 draft only had 11 tackles selected, which was the fewest in the past five drafts. The position group surged in 2015 with 20 tackles selected, including nine in the first two rounds.
From 2013-16, at least four tackles were taken off the board in the first round, demonstrating the emphasis placed on the position by teams. The middle rounds generally have proven to be quieter, with the exception of 2016, when seven tackles were drafted in the fifth round.
The Prospects (based on**rankings by CBS Sports**)
**
1. Orlando Brown **
Oklahoma, Redshirt junior, 6-foot-8, 345 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *5.85 seconds
Bench press: 14 reps of 225 pounds
Broad jump: 6 feet, 10 inches
Vertical jump: 19.5 inches
3-cone drill: 7.87 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 5.38 seconds
2017 stats: Started all 40 games at left tackle; Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year; First-Team All-American
*2. Kolton Miller *
UCLA, Junior, 6-foot-9, 310 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *4.95 seconds (third among offensive linemen)
Bench press: 24 reps of 225 pounds
Vertical jump: 31.5 inches (tied for fourth among offensive linemen)
Broad jump: 10 feet, 1 inch (first among offensive linemen)
3-cone drill: 7.34 seconds (third among offensive linemen)
20-yard shuttle: 4.49 seconds (third among offensive linemen)
2017 stats: Started 23 of 31 games played; named Second-Team All-Pac 12 by coaches; helped the Bruins improve their rushing production from 2016 by almost one full yard per carry; helped UCLA rank third in the conference in total offense
*3. Connor Williams *
Texas, Junior, 6-foot-5, 320 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *5.05 seconds (fifth among offensive linemen)
Bench press: 26 reps of 225 pounds
Vertical jump: 34 inches (first among offensive linemen)
Broad jump: 9 feet, 4 inches (fifth among offensive linemen)
3-cone drill: 7.83 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.63 seconds (eighth among offensive linemen)
2017 stats: Started all five games played but missed seven due to injury; was named to the preseason All-Big 12 Team by the media and Athlon Sports; Academic All-Big 12 Second-Team
4. Mike McGlinchey
Notre Dame, Senior, 6-foot-8, 309 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *Did not participate
Bench press: 24 reps of 225 pounds
Vertical jump: 28.5 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet, 9 inches
2017 stats: Started all 12 games at left tackle; helped RB Josh Adams run for more than 100 yards four times; helped Notre Dame average 417.6 total yards per game; team captain
*5. Chukwuma Okorafor *
Western Michigan, Senior, 6-foot-6, 320 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash: 5.31 seconds
Bench press: 19 reps of 225 pounds
Vertical jump: 23.5 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet, 6 inches
3-cone drill: 7.87 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.8 seconds
2017 stats: Started all 12 games at left tackle; helped Western Michigan average 224.8 rushing yards per game; First-Team All-American (FWAA, Phil Steele); Second-Team All-American (Walter Camp, Sports Illustrated); Reese's Senior Bowl invitee
*6. Tyrell Crosby *
Oregon, Senior, 6-foot-5, 325 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *5.23 seconds
Bench press: 17 reps of 225 pounds
Vertical jump: 30 inches (eighth among offensive linemen)
Broad jump: 8 feet, 9 inches
3-cone drill: 7.89 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.77 seconds
2017 stats: Started all 13 games; Morris Trophy recipient (Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Year); First-Team All-Pac 12; did not allow a quarterback sack or hit, according to Pro Football Focus; helped Oregon rack up 3,263 rushing yards; Reese's Senior Bowl invitee
7. Martinas Rankin
Mississippi State, Senior, 6-foot-4, 308 pounds
Combine numbers
Bench press: 24 reps of 225 pounds
Did not participate in on-field skills testing at the combine
2017 stats: First-Team All-SEC (coaches); Second-Team All-SEC (Associated Press); Honorable Mention All-American (SB Nation); Campbell Trophy semifinalist (considered the "Academic Heisman"); Kent Hull Award recipient (Mississippi's top college offensive lineman)
8. Jamarco Jones
Ohio State, Senior, 6-foot-4, 299 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *5.5 seconds
Vertical jump: 24 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet, 6 inches
3-cone drill: 8.32 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.99 seconds
2017 stats:Started all 14 games at left tackle; helped Ohio State win the Cotton Bowl; helped the Buckeyes achieve a Big Ten Conference championship; anchored an offensive line that helped the Buckeyes average 243.2 rushing yards per game; First-Team All-Big Ten (coaches and media)
9. Will Richardson
N.C. State, Redshirt Junior, 6-foot-6, 306 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash: 5.26 seconds
Vertical jump: 31.5 inches (tied for fourth among offensive linemen)
Broad jump: 9 feet
3-cone drill: 7.8 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.83 seconds
2017 stats: Started all 10 games played at right tackle after missing two due to suspension; part of an offensive line that helped Nyheim Hines rush for 1,112 yards and 12 touchdowns
10. Joseph Noteboom
TCU, Senior, 6-foot-5, 309 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash: 4.96 seconds (fourth among offensive linemen)
Bench press: 27 reps of 225 pounds (tied for eighth among offensive linemen)
Vertical jump: 24 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet, 6 inches
3-cone drill: 7.65 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.44 seconds (second among offensive linemen)
2017 stats: Started all 14 games at left tackle; All-Big 12 honorable mention; First-Team Academic All-Big 12 honors; Reese's Senior Bowl invitee
Join fellow Vikings fans Thursday, April 26 on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium for the ****Miller Lite Vikings Draft Party***. Follow the first round of the NFL Draft as we welcome the newest member of the Minnesota Vikings. Tickets available now – click ***here*** to learn more!*
