.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Vikings mock drafts: Post-free agency edition
The Minnesota Vikings have made some moves since free agency opened, most notably signing offensive linemen Alex Boone and Andre Smith.
Those moves -- as well as other teams signing (and losing) free agents -- have altered the mock drafts around the web, including who it is thought Minnesota might picks.
In addition, since our last mock roundup, compensation picks were awarded (although none to the Vikings), thus affecting some mocks which go beyond the first round.
Once again, if we included a mock previously (some of the ones we had before have not been updated since), we'll also include the picks from that earlier mock draft (note: some mocks update often; we'll just include the pick we used). Not all mocks have updated since our last roundup, so if you are curious, click on the links off on the side for the previous mocks. We'll continue to provide updates leading up to the start of the draft, April 28.
And now, here's the fourth look of who the prognosticators think Minnesota will take in the NFL Draft:
Eddie Brown of the San Diego Union-Tribune (March 17): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "Only Treadwell's ball skills compare to Doctson. It's scary to think of the play-action possibilities Teddy Bridgewater will face with this addition."; Round 2 -- Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State; Round 3 -- Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas; Round 4 -- Tom Hackett, P, Utah; Round 5 -- K.J. Dillon, S, West Virginia. (Previously: Round 1 -- Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor; Round 2 -- Su'a Cravens, OLB, USC; Round 3 -- Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia; Round 4 -- Connor McGovern, OG, Missouri.)
Jared Dubin of CBSSports.com (March 17): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame. "The Vikes signed Alex Boone in free agency to help along the offensive line, so we're switching gears here and slotting Fuller into their receiver corps to help take pressure off Stefon Diggs rather than having them take another lineman." (Previously: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana.)
DraftTek (March 16): Round 1 -- Josh Doctson, WR, TCU; Round 2 -- Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA; Round 3 -- Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech; Round 4 -- Ken Crawley, CB, Colorado; Round 5 -- Eric Striker, OLB, Oklahoma; Round 6 -- Jacob Coker, QB, Alabama; Round 7a -- Ryan Malleck, TE, Virginia Tech; Round 7b -- Tevin Carter, S, Utah. (Previously: Round 1 -- Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State; Round 2 -- Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah; Round 3 -- Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford; Round 4 -- Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama; Round 5 -- Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU; Round 6 -- C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame; Round 7a -- Tom Hackett, P, Utah; Round 7b -- Willie Henry, DT, Michigan.)
Chris Burke of SI.com (March 16): Jack Conklin, G/T, Michigan State. "A more exciting selection would be the Vikings taking Doctson (as in previous mocks, though off the board here) or another standout receiver like Corey Coleman or Michael Thomas. Conklin could help more. Can the Vikings count on Matt Kalil or Phil Loadholt long-term? Do they believe in T.J. Clemmings? If the answer is no on either of those questions, they need a tackle." (Previously: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.)
Walter Cherepinsky of WalterFootball.com (March 16): Round 1 -- Josh Doctson, WR, TCY. "Doctson fits exactly what the Vikings are looking for, so it wouldn't surprise me if he's the pick at this juncture."; Round 2 -- Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State; Sean Davis, S, Maryland; Round 4 -- Willie Henry, DT, Michiga; Round 5 -- Tyler Johnstone, OT, Oregon. (Previously: Round 1 -- Doctson; Round 2 -- Vadal Alexander, G, LSU; Round 3 -- Davis; Round 4 -- Henry; Round 5 -- Johnstone.)
Josh Norris of Rotoworld.com (March 16): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "All Josh Doctson did was show up at the NFL Combine, go through an entire workout and test like the top athlete at the position. We all love his ability to make contested catches, floating in the air with outstanding body control. His routes are further ahead than given credit for. Teddy needs a receiver like Doctson." (Previously: Doctson.)
Eric Edholm, Yahoo.com (March 16): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "Mike Wallace can rip Teddy Bridgewater all he wants on his way out of town, but he didn't help make his quarterback better. For all the folks who said the Vikings needed a true deep threat, that connection didn't play out. Why not instead seek a taller receiver who can win in the air? Much of TCU's offense was Doctson winning battles on 50-50 balls, and that could translate well here." (Previously: Doctson.)
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com (March 16): Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia. "The Vikings could bypass their WR need to select an athletic sideline-to-sideline playmaker." (Previously: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.)
Will Brinson of CBSSports.com (March 16): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "Doctson has great ball-control skills and is an all-around quality receiver. There isn't a "No. 1" on the Vikings yet and they need one for Teddy Bridgewater." (Previously: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame.)
Jon Ledyard of USA Today's DraftWire.com (March 16): Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State. "I'm not as sold on Josh Doctson's fit in Minnesota like everyone else seems to be. A vertical, deep ball receiver doesn't seem to mesh with Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings offense, and although Doctson is certainly capable of adapting his style at the next level, I think Thomas is the more nuanced, NFL-ready of the two pass catchers. He'll give Bridgewater quick throwing windows with his advanced separation tactics, while adding a little juice after the catch." (Previously: Jack Conklin, OL, Michigan State.)
Cris Collinsworth of Pro Football Focus (March 15): Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State. "The Vikings have to get better along their offensive line, and this is a good step."
Ourlads (March 15): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. (Previously: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor.)
Paul Dehner of the Cincinnati Enquirer (March 15): Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (March 14): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "This draft should be about adding pieces around Teddy Bridgewater and Doctson is a great fit." (Previously: Doctson.)
Dan Kadar of SBNation/Mocking the Draft (March 14): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss. "Absolutely any Treadwell fall in the draft should stop with Minnesota. The Vikings would love to add Treadwell, a physical receiver with good hands and body control to pull in tough catches." (Previously: Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State).
Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com (March 14): Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor. "The Vikings need to surround Teddy Bridgewater with more talent and although Coleman requires a leap of faith due to his unpolished routes, it is only a matter of time before he makes an impact in the NFL." (Previously: Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State.)
Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com (March 14): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "With the needs along the offensive line addressed via free agency, the Vikings may look to help out young quarterback Teddy Bridgewater by boosting his receiving corps on draft day. The 6-2, 202-pound Doctson has enough speed to challenge vertically and he's a master at winning contested passes due to his strong hands and body control." (Previously: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State.)
Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com (March 14): Round 1 -- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss. "The Vikings could use a big possession receiver to pair with Stefon Diggs. Treadwell's run blocking would be a great fit for Minnesota's ground-based offense."; Round 2 -- Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame; Round 3 -- Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State; Round 4 -- Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU. (Previously: Round 1 -- Treadwell; Round 2 -- Smith; Round 3 -- James Bradberry, S/CB, Samford; Round 4 -- Listenbee.)
MyNFLDraft.com (March 14): Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor. (Previously: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame.)
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com (March 13): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame. "They got line help in free agency in Alex Boone, so they can get some speed outside for their passing game. Fuller is one of the fastest in this draft class." (Previously: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.)
Pete Fituak of collegefootballnews.com (March 11): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame. "It might not be sexy, but OG Alex Boone from San Francisco was a really, really nice get. At least one of the top receivers will still be on the board, and the speed and flash of Fuller would be exactly what the Vikings need to give Teddy Bridgewater a bit more help." (Previously: Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia.)
Chad Reuter of NFL.com (March 11): Round 1 -- Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "Doctson's combine workout made teams forget about his injured wrist. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is looking for a receiver in whom he can trust to win 50-50 balls."; Round 2 -- Darian Thompson, S, Boise State; Round 3 -- Joshua Perry, OLB, Ohio State; Round 4 -- Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State. (Previously: Round 1 -- Doctson; Round 2 -- Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State; Round 3 -- Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah; Round 4 -- Willie Beavers, OG, Western Michigan. )
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (March 11): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. (Previously: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss.)
Pat Kirwan of RealFootballNetwork.com (March 10): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss. "The Vikings cut Mike Wallace and Treadwell is a solid receiver with skills Norv Turner will utilize from day one." (Previously: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State.)
Follow Dave Heller on Twitter
