The Viking Age
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Minnesota Vikings: 7 options if they pass on WR in first

By Dan Zinski

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as the Tennessee Titans make their pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as the Tennessee Titans make their pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings (75) during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at McLane Stadium. The Sooners defeat the Bears 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings (75) during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at McLane Stadium. The Sooners defeat the Bears 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Andrew Billings – DT – Baylor

The Vikings seem set at defensive tackle with Linval Joseph starting at the nose, Sharrif Floyd starting at 3-tech, Tom Johnson coming in as the primary backup and Shamar Stephen and Kenrick Ellis offering depth. But you know how Mike Zimmer feels about defensive tackles. He can never have enough.

If the Vikings do for some reason decide to beef up their defensive line with a first-round selection, Baylor’s Andrew Billings (6-1, 311) could be the guy. Experts rave about Billings’ combination of power and quickness, comparing him to NFL players like Dontari Poe and Bennie Logan. Scouts project Billings as a nose tackle in the NFL and say he could develop into a truly disruptive force.

Though Billings can be dominating at times, observers say he’s a bit raw as a pass rusher and overall has some technical issues that need to be straightened out. The upside is very high on Billings and that right there is enough reason to believe the Vikings and Mike Zimmer might be interested in picking him. It should be noted however that this year’s draft is fairly deep in defensive tackle talent, so the Vikings could conceivably wait until the second round and still pick up a first-round-level player at the position.

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