With the 2016 NFL Draft just nine days away, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. has released his three-round, ‘Grade: A’ mock draft.’
In this scenario, Kiper notes he plays the role of every team's general manager and makes picks based on each team's biggest needs.
Kiper has the Vikings taking a pair of offensive players and a defensive back with a trio of picks.
*Round 1 (23): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame*
*Round 2 (54): Jalen Mills, S, LSU*
*Round 3 (86): Nick Martin, C/G, Notre Dame*
*Analysis: The "clear need at wide receiver" situation isn't a bad one at this spot on the board, because there's a good chance I'm getting either [Corey] Coleman or Fuller. In this instance, the Vikings get arguably the best deep threat in the draft, a dangerous player who takes pressure off Stefon Diggs in the passing game. He needs to be more consistent catching the ball, but it's about concentration, not a lack of ability. There's a need for depth at both cornerback and safety, and Mills has the ability to provide in both roles. Martin is a versatile interior offensive lineman who can play both center and guard, and could start at guard as a rookie.*
The draft goes from April 28-30 in Chicago.
Vensel: Vikings don't need to grab quarterback
Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune opened up an eight-part series in which he's looking at whether or not the Vikings have a need at a certain position.
The first installment focused on quarterbacks.
Vensel said the Vikings are in a good position with third-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who threw for 3,231 yards and 14 touchdowns last season as Minnesota went 11-5 and won the NFC North crown.
Vensel wrote:
If Bridgewater didn't take a blatant step forward in his second season, it was because his offensive line too often got pushed back into his lap. No NFL quarterback was pressured more frequently than Bridgewater, who was under fire on 46.9 percent of his dropbacks, per Pro Football Focus.
So the Vikings, who remain committed to the 23-year-old, have set out to improve his supporting cast. They signed guard Alex Boone and offensive tackle Andre Smith in the hopes that by giving Bridgewater more clean pockets, he will be able to a significant leap forward this season.
In other words, they won't be taking a quarterback in the early rounds. But they could look to bring in another young QB in the later rounds.
The Vikings also have a veteran backup in Shaun Hill, and Taylor Heinicke, who was signed as undrafted free agent in 2015.
With the collection of three quarterbacks and a "level of need" that Vensel classified as "low", Vensel said he'd be surprised to see the Vikings go after a quarterback this year.
Our best guess: Unless there is a Day-Three prospect that Norv and Scott Turner are enamored with, the Vikings will pass on the position for a second straight year and perhaps sign another undrafted QB after the draft. **
