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Mel Kiper’s First Mock Finds Vikings Drafting A Wide Reciever

By Adam Carlson

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The Super Bowl isn’t even in the rear view mirror, yet many people (including fans of the Minnesota Vikings) have turned their sights to the 2015 NFL Draft.  And when it’s draft season, you know that ESPN’s Mel Kiper will be putting out plenty of mock draft and giving his thoughts as to each and every prospect.

Today, Mel Kiper released his first mock draft for 2015.  It was only the first round of the draft, but it gave plenty of insight as to his thoughts on the team’s needs and holes.  Luckily for Minnesota Vikings fans, the player Kiper chose is one that fans have already been talking about quite a bit.

With the #11 selection in the NFL Draft, Mel Kiper says the Minnesota Vikings should draft: DeVante Parker, WR Louisville.

Here’s what Mel Kiper gave as the reasoning for his selection:

"Teddy Bridgewater showed he can be the long-term answer at quarterback if his development continues, and while there are also questions along the offensive line, Parker is a tantalizing talent at this point, as I think some teams will have him graded as the best receiver in this draft class once they’ve wrapped up evaluations. This is A.J. Green lite, and he’s not that lite. Parker doesn’t just have the leaping ability and length to go up and get it and beat even longer defensive backs at the catch point, he can create space with his short-area explosiveness underneath. Teddy needs another weapon. Here he is."

Nov 16, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) catches a pass in front of Houston Cougars defensive back Trevon Stewart (23) during the second half of play at Papa John

With other issues in the Minnesota Vikings secondary, linebackers, and offensive line, wide receiver almost seems like a luxury pick for the team.  However, it’s hard to overlook the chemistry that Parker and Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had when they played their college football together.  During their 3 seasons playing together, Bridgewater threw 26 touchdowns to Parker, including two seasons with double digit scores (2012 – 10 TDs, 2013 – 12 TDs).

Parker stands 6’3″ tall and weighs in at 208 pounds.  He could be that big bodied target that many Minnesota Vikings fans have been dreaming about pairing up with Teddy Bridgewater.

What do you guys think?  Would DeVante Parker be a good selection at #11?  Is wide receiver a big enough need to use a selection that high on one?  Discuss it in the comments below.

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