Minnesota Vikings seven-round mock draft
By Dan Zinski
Round Three, Pick 86
Joe Haeg – OT – North Dakota State
The Vikings have three veteran offensive tackles, Matt Kalil, Phil Loadholt and Andre Smith, who will be free agents at the end of the 2016 season. For this reason, it seems vital that they add some good young talent to their offensive line sooner rather than later. Offensive tackle might be a good position to target in the top two rounds, but for this mock I have the Vikings waiting until round three where they snatch up North Dakota State tackle Joe Haeg.
Obviously, the local connection will make Haeg attractive to fans but that consideration has little to do with this pick. Haeg is a legit NFL prospect regardless of where he was born or where he went to school. Scouts love his athleticism and balance, and also rave about his football intelligence. The concerns with Haeg are mostly about power and technique. If Haeg can add more bulk to his lower body and continue to get stronger, scouts believe he has the potential to start. The Vikings have veterans on their roster now who can start so they would have the luxury of bringing Haeg in and giving him a year to work out in the weight room before potentially adding him to the mix in 2017.