Minnesota Vikings seven-round mock draft
By Dan Zinski
Round One, Pick 23
Josh Doctson – WR – TCU
Wide receiver is the Vikings’ single biggest need, and they address this need with their first round pick by taking TCU wide-out Josh Doctson. Corey Coleman may have more speed and Laquon Treadwell may be more “NFL-ready,” but Doctson has the most pure athleticism of any receiver in this year’s draft as he proved at the combine. Doctson has the body control and ball skills to make amazing highlight-reel catches, and given Teddy Bridgewater’s struggles to get the ball downfield with consistent accuracy, a receiver who can turn a bad throw into a big play is good thing to have.
Doctson also has the ability to make something happen after the catch, which will come in handy as the Vikings merge more of Pat Shurmur’s short-passing concepts into Norv Turner’s no-longer-Air-Coryell offense. Of all the receivers who figure to be there at 23, Doctson has the most appealing combination of traits. His speed may not be elite but it is certainly good enough. If for some reason Doctson is no longer on the board at 23, the Vikings may have to “settle” for Treadwell, Coleman or someone else, perhaps Michael Thomas of Ohio State.