Mel Kiper talks Vikings Draft Situation

Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to the draft, the Vikings may be on the outside looking in when it comes to the top-level talent.

At least that’s the way ESPN’s Mel Kiper sees it. Kiper sees seven top-level prospects in the 2014 draft class, who he referred to as his “super seven” in a story by ESPN’s Ben Goessling. The seven prospects are pass rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Khalil Mack, offensive tackles Greg Robinson, Taylor Lewan, and Jake Matthews, and wide receivers Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans.

The fact that there are seven prospects Kiper grades above all others can’t be thrilling for the Vikings, sitting with pick No. 8. And Kiper thinks there is a drop off after those players.

“There’s your super seven,” Kiper said. “After that, I don’t see anybody that belongs in that group right now. I don’t think any of the quarterbacks do, and I don’t see any other players jumped up that far.

“To me, the seven are the consensus seven.”

Of course, even if one of those seven drops to the Vikings, they may not take them. The Vikings appear set at both offensive tackle spots with Matt Kalil and Phil Loadholt. Wide receiver is also not a position of need for the Vikings, with Greg Jennings set as a starter with young talent like Cordarrelle Patterson and Jarius Wright.

Of course, what the Vikings could do in that situation is attempt to trade down with a team in love with one of the remaining “super seven” prospects, and try to acquire extra picks. That way the team could try to squeeze extra value and attempt to draft a player that fills one of their needs.

What the Vikings need above all else is a quarterback. But Kiper finds this quarterback draft class confusing.

“It’s incredible,” Kiper said. “There are about a dozen quarterbacks that could be starters, and out of those dozen, there are some that argue that all 12 of them will never be a successful starter.

“There is a lot of quantity, but how much quality is debatable.”

Kiper made it clear that he thinks the Vikings do need to draft a quarterback at some point though, since there is little hope of long term success if they have the worst quarterback situation in their division.

“Which quarterback do [the Vikings] like? We don’t know right now,” Kiper said. “Everybody’s trying to figure that out.”

“But if [Blake] Bortles is there at 8, unless they just don’t like Bortles, it would be tough to pass him up,” Kiper said.

What do you think Vikings fans? Is one of the “super seven” going to fall to the Vikings, and would you “take or trade” in that scenario? Do you agree with Kiper’s thoughts on the quarterbacks? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @Goatman102!

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