The Minnesota Vikings have invited a pair of potential first-round linebackers to their top-30 event, but it seems almost certain they will not take a linebacker at #23.
What if anything should we read into the fact that Minnesota is inviting Reggie Ragland and Darron Lee, a pair of potential first-round linebackers, to their top-30 event at Winter Park? Perhaps they’re thinking one of those guys might fall to them in the second, or maybe they’re trying to mask their intentions.
One thing I am almost 100% sure of: The Vikings are not taking a linebacker in the first round.
Maybe I could see the Vikes going linebacker in the first if they didn’t have a glaring need for a wide receiver. It’s hard to emphasize this enough, but the Vikings’ receiver corps is not even close to being adequate.
I know some mock drafters want to go against the grain and select a linebacker or an offensive lineman for the Vikings at #23, but that’s just boredom and/or Contrarianism on their part. I see a small chance that Minnesota would go for an O-lineman if they’re not happy with the available choices at wide receiver, but I see almost no chance they would use that pick on a linebacker.
Honestly, I could see the Vikings going defensive line before linebacker.
Reggie Ragland and Darron Lee are both intriguing prospects, don’t get me wrong. Ragland is a big hitter who would give the Vikings more thump out of the Mike linebacker position, allowing Mike Zimmer to slide Eric Kendricks over to his arguably more natural Will position. Lee has tremendous athletic gifts and also brings plenty of thump to the party while adding some coverage skills.
I’m sure Zim would love to have either Ragland or Lee in the mix, but you know what else Zim would love? A wide receiver who can help out his quarterback.
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We can discuss these other possibilities until we’re blue in the face but wide receiver almost certainly has to be the pick for Minnesota, whether it turns out to be Josh Doctson, Laquon Treadwell, Corey Coleman or whomever. Incidentally, Doctson and Treadwell are both on the list of top-30 invitees as well.
There should be multiple interesting wide receiver prospects available at #23 for the Vikings. If they want a linebacker, they can get one later in the draft. Who knows, Ragland or Lee might be there in the second round. Might be a nice value pick waiting to happen.