The Vikings last year were fortunate to snag talented center Pat Elflein in a draft class that was identified as a weaker one for offensive linemen.
Looking ahead at the 2018 NFL Draft, however, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said that this year's offensive line class to be a strong one. Matthew Coller of 1500ESPN.com said that **the projection is “good news” for the Vikings**. Coller wrote:
While the Vikings quarterback situation has dominated the headlines at the Combine, Minnesota's brass is also there to find an impact player at No. 30 overall.
At the top of the list of needs for the Vikings is offensive line. While they showed improvement this year, there is a chance Joe Berger either retires or lands elsewhere in free agency, and Mike Remmers may be a better fit at guard than tackle.
Coller referenced the top-five lists by NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock, who ranked Notre Dame's Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey as the top guard and tackle, respectively.
While Coller said it's "unlikely" that the Vikings are in the mix for either of the top linemen, "everyone else could be in play." He pointed to UTEP's Will Hernandez as a possible fit.
It would stand to reason the Vikings could be in the mix for Hernandez. The first guard taken in last year's draft was at No. 58 overall. Two years ago, two interior O-linemen were selected in the first. In his NFL.com draft profile, Hernandez is listed as a first- or second-round prospect. The 6-foot-2, 348-pound linemen said he believes guard is a more valuable position than ever.
Coller mentioned other possible options, as well, including UCLA tackle Kolton Miller, Texas tackle Connor Williams or Georgia guard Isaiah Wynn.
Former Vikings slated to participate in Spring League
As the 2018 Spring League gets ready to ramp up, Vikings fans will be familiar with a few names who may be on rosters.
ESPN's Kevin Seiffert wrote about players **expected to report for practice at the end of the month**, including former Vikings wide receiver Greg Childs and former Golden Gophers Mitch Leidner, who played in the Vikings fourth preseason game in 2017 but did not make the final 53-man roster.
The Spring League's 2018 roster will include QB Johnny Manziel, former Jets WR Stephen Hill and former Florida State WR Marvin Bracy, who quit football in 2013 to pursue a professional track career. Other players on the list include former University of Minnesota QB Mitch Leidner, former East Carolina QB Cody Keith and former Vikings WR Greg Childs, who hasn't played since tearing the patellar tendons in both knees in 2012. The Spring League will open practice March 28 in Austin, Texas, and host double-header games on April 7 and April 14.
Rudolph prepping for annual Pro Camp
While Vikings players are enjoying their offseason, some are already looking ahead to annual camps for youth this summer.
Kyle Rudolph recently promoted his annual two-day Pro Camp, which will be held at Providence Academy in Plymouth, Minnesota. Rudolph also announced that safety Harrison Smith will be a special guest at one of the two days of programming.
