TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson appears to be high on the Vikings’ list of draft targets, if not at the very top.
Last offseason, draft observers very quickly zeroed in on Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes as the Vikings’ top target and it turned out the Vikings did take Waynes with the #11 overall selection.
It appears draftniks have done it again this year when it comes to the Vikings and their draft intentions, zeroing in on TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson almost from the get-go.
Mock drafts have been consistently picking Doctson for the Vikings at #23 overall. The Vikes’ recent free agency moves only reinforce the notion that they will target a wide receiver, very possibly Doctson, with their first round selection.
Minnesota has addressed their offensive line by signing Alex Boone, pursuing Andre Smith and doing new deals with Mike Harris and Phil Loadholt. The Vikings also did nothing on Matt Kalil, guaranteeing him $11.1 million for 2016.
Those moves seemingly make it less likely that the Vikes will go offensive line with their first pick. The move to cut Mike Wallace seemingly makes it more likely that the Vikes will go receiver. The Vikes have reportedly shown interest in free agent receiver Andre Holmes but even if they signed Holmes, they would still have a large need for a wide-out.
Linebacker was also often mentioned as a position the Vikings might target at #23 but the Vikes have made multiple moves in that area in recent days, re-signing Audie Cole and adding free agents Emmanuel Lamur and Travis Lewis.
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Lending more credence to the notion that the Vikings will go receiver in the draft and specifically target Josh Doctson is this report from Matt Miller of Bleacher Report saying the Vikes put a high grade on Doctson after his very strong performance at the combine.
There’s still a lot of time before the actual draft and obviously things could change, but it does appear that Doctson will be the man for Minnesota when their turn to pick comes up. Experts nailed it with Trae Waynes last year and there’s no reason to doubt they have it nailed again this year.