Draft Analysis: NFL Draft Needs: Vikings

Evan Silva (@EvanSilva) is the Senior Football Editor for Rotoworld’s NFL Page, and Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) leads Rotoworld’s college football and NFL draft coverage. Together, they’re breaking down every team’s biggest needs and offering potential draft-day solutions.

For a breakdown on every team, check out the team-by-team draft preview schedule.

No. 1 Team Need: Wide Receiver

Silva’s Analysis

GM Rick Spielman stole Stefon Diggs in the fifth round of last year’s draft, but the Vikings’ receiver depth chart is otherwise lackluster. Jarius Wright is a slot guy only, and 2014 stretch-run star Charles Johnson lost his job to Diggs last season. Cordarrelle Patterson has maxed out as a return specialist. To complement 6-foot, 195-pound Diggs, Minnesota could use a big, physical run-after-catch receiver capable of turning Teddy Bridgewater‘s high-percentage passes into bigger gains.

No. 2 Team Need: Safety

Silva’s Analysis

The Vikings have a number of in-house options to play snaps at strong safety, including Andrew Sendejo, ex-Titan Michael Griffin and 37-year-old CB/S Terence Newman. What Minnesota does not have is a clear-cut solution opposite FS Harrison Smith. Coach Mike Zimmer tends to value versatility from his safeties, although he has that already in Smith.

No. 3 Team Need: Offensive Tackle

Silva’s Analysis

Spielman has done well to stockpile starting options and quality depth at guard, center and right tackle. The Vikings don’t necessarily have glaring immediate needs on the offensive line, but they need to start thinking about life after LT Matt Kalil. The fourth pick in the 2012 draft, perennially disappointing Kalil is severely overpaid ($11.09 million) relative to his on-field play, and is not under contract beyond 2016. The Vikings may also pursue linebacker help with 33-year-old WLB Chad Greenway on his last legs and free agent pickup Emmanuel Lamur best suited for a situational role.

Norris’ Mock Draft

Round 1 (23): WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss – There is positive buzz around practically every top receiver in this class (Josh Doctson, Michael Thomas, Will Fuller) … except for Treadwell. This would be a great landing spot for the Ole Miss star, who is super physical both before and after the catch. He is the type of possession receiver teams should target.

Round 2 (54): LB Deion Jones, LSU – I would be excited to see a linebacking trio of Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr and Jones. The LSU prospect has plenty of closing speed and displays awareness in coverage to process his assignments.

Round 3 (86): S K.J. Dillon, West Virginia – Dillon can do a little bit of everything. He showed a willingness to attack ball carriers near the line of scrimmage during Senior Bowl week. Dillon also has experience lining up across from slot receivers.

Round 4 (121): T Kyle Murphy, Stanford – I liked Murphy quite a bit before Senior Bowl week, but he really struggled when asked to practice at right tackle. He might solely be a left sided offensive lineman. And the more I watch, the more I notice Murphy has balance issues when mirroring or sustaining.

Round 5 (160): FB Dan Vitale, Northwestern – Are you looking for potentially the next Jim Kleinsasser? Vitale is a great athlete, very good receiver and needs to improve his run blocking.

Round 6 (180): C Austin Blythe, Iowa – Both of the Vikings’ centers are over the age of 30. Blythe is a very good positional blocker and is one of the best at lining up second level blocks.

Round 7 (240): WR Robby Anderson, Temple – Some teams will evaluate Anderson as a corner, some at receiver. He produced a great performance against Houston this season.

Round 7 (244): DL Trevon Coley, FAU – There’s some poor man’s Sharrif Floyd in Coley’s game, but I feel like I’m the only one recognizing it.

Vikings Current Offensive Depth Chart

QB: Teddy Bridgewater

RB: Adrian Peterson

WR: Stefon Diggs

WR: Jarius Wright

TE: Kyle Rudolph

TE: MyCole Pruitt

LT: Matt Kalil

LG: Alex Boone

C: John Sullivan

RG: Brandon Fusco