Here is a list of the 8 collegiate prospects who the Minnesota Vikings selected during the 7 rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft live from Chicago, Illinois.
The 2016 NFL Draft is finally in the books. The anticipation of waiting to find out which college stars will join the Minnesota Vikings is over and now fans can look at who the franchise has decided to add in order to build for the future.
Of course, many fans had their ideas of who would be the best fit for the Vikings, but they don’t make the final call. That responsibility falls on general manager Rick Spielman, who once again didn’t reach too far for need during the draft and still dealt some picks in order to pick up more ammunition for the 2017 draft.
Starting on Thursday, April 28, 2016 and running through Saturday, April 30, the team made many tough calls to help try to improve the NFC North champions and bring them to the next level: a deep playoff run and a Super Bowl appearance.
Without any further delay, let’s discuss the 2016 NFL Draft class of the Minnesota Vikings starting with the team’s first round selection:
Next: Minnesota lands a pass catcher
Round 1: WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
The rumor swirling around the league and the buzz with the Minnesota Vikings fan base had everything pointing to the Vikings going after one of the top wide receivers in the 2016 NFL Draft. Sadly, at #23 overall, Minnesota didn’t exactly have their pick of the litter, but did have one of the elite prospects fall right into their laps.
The fourth wide receiver off the board, Treadwell has just about everything Teddy Bridgewater will learn to love in a pass catcher. He makes contested catches, runs tight routes and is a high-effort player with a non-stop desire to improve his game.
A disappointing NFL Combine ha some teams worried about his leaping ability and overall speed, but that kind of thing wasn’t as apparent when watching his game tape, where he was able to get separation through crisp routes and physical play.
"“We all know he ran a 4.65 40 at his pro day. So, either you believe in him and his game, or you don’t. He’s a natural hands catcher and will win 50-50 balls. He’s also one of the best blocking wide receivers in this draft. He’s physical, tough and has great hands. I think the Vikings got a winner.” — Mike Mayock on NFL.com"
Next: Adding to the secondary
Round 2: CB Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
The 54th overall player selected, Mackensie Alexander had many fans scratching their heads. While cornerback wasn’t an immediate area of need after using high draft picks on Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes as well as the free agent acquisitions Terence Newman and Captain Munnerlyn on the roster. However, having a young player ready to step up for the future could pay dividends.
Alexander isn’t a ball hawk. In fact, he didn’t notch a single interception during his two years as a starter at Clemson. But he did do one thing really well: shut down pass catchers. Teams struggled throwing against him, especially in the red zone, where he should be considered a shutdown corner at the college level.
One place the new Minnesota Vikings cornerback isn’t lacking is confidence. He’s a vocal defender who can get in the head of offensive players just as well has he can follow them on the football field. His high expectations of himself push him to keep getting better and better, as he wants to be the absolute best at his position and is willing to put the work in to make it happen.
"“A lot of people thought he was a first-rounder around bowl season. He is quick and fast, but there’s a lack of ball production. He was a two-year starter, but with zero interceptions. He’ll compete for a nickel cornerback spot.” — Mike Mayock on NFL.com"
Next: Offensive line depth
Round 4: OT Willie Beavers, Western Michigan
The Minnesota Vikings shouldn’t expect Beavers to step in and be a starter for the team, but he could be a guy to draft and develop. After struggling through much of his career at Western Michigan, the Vikings saw his combination of power and agility to be interesting enough to roll the dice on.
The good thing is that Beavers will get at least one year to hone his craft, as the team has many offensive tackles, including Matt Kalil, Andre Smith, and Phil Loadholt, in the final years of their contracts. This was another investment pick in the middle rounds of the draft where the a player has the physical talent to be an interesting prospect.
However, it isn’t all great when scouting Beavers, as he struggled mightily as a run blocker and didn’t maintain his technique well at all. He will be a project for the Vikings who might be better suited for the practice squad for a while until he’s ready to sniff NFL level competition.
"“This is the 2nd year in a row the Vikings have taken a developmental OT on early Day 3 (Clemmings, ’15). Beavers started 40 straight games at LT and has all the raw tools but he comes with a handful of technical deficiencies. He’s at least a year away from competing for a starting bookend spot on their OL.” —Mark Dulgerian of NFL.com"
Next: Vikings pick a thumping defender
Round 5: LB Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
One word you’d never use to describe Kentrell Brothers is flashy. Much like fan favorite Chad Greenway, Brothers is a guy who plays a physical game of football. In fact, looking at this pick could make you wonder if the Vikings saw a young version of Greenway when they were watching the tape on this young man.
Brothers is at his best when allowing the action to unfold in front of him and letting him react to it. He rarely makes poor decisions or takes bad angles when tackling, but lacks the physical gifts to get there as fast as some of the other prospects in this year’s draft.
Still, Brothers could be a very interesting guy to watch in the Minnesota VIkings linebacker group. With the speed and agility of Kendricks and Barr, a strong, reactionary player like Brothers could be just what the team needs to complete a diverse and fundamentally compete group of starters, even though he likely will need time to earn that spot over guys currently on the roster.
"“Brothers was a production machine at Missouri thanks to his high football IQ & reactionary quickness. He’s a solid addition to one of the NFL’s best linebacker crews and has exciting long term upside.” —Mark Dulgerian of NFL.com"
Next: More targets for Teddy
Round 6: WR Moritz Boehringer, Schwäbisch Hall
History was made by the Minnesota Vikings when they selected Boehringer with the #180 overall pick. The German wide receiver is the first player ever to go straight from Europe to the NFL Draft and be selected. He’s a physically gifted player who has all the tools to put together a solid professional game, but will need help.
That assistance will come from the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff, as the team will need to work on many of the subtle parts of the game to make him a complete player. He has a rare burst of acceleration to help him get open and the kind of speed that can take the ball to the house.
Still, Boehringer will need to work on route running, snap anticipation, and his physical game with the Vikings before he’ll see the football field. He should be a prime candidate to be added to the team’s practice squad and develop while the Minnesota Vikings find out what the other wide receivers on the roster can do.
"“A great story becomes a remarkable one as the long-shot draft pick from Germany lands on his favorite team. He’s as raw as it gets, but Norv Turner likes big, fast receivers that can stretch the back end of the defense. That could be Boehringer’s niche once he graduates from special teams.” —Mark Dulgerian on NFL.com"
Next: Picking a solid run blocker
Round 6: TE David Morgan, Texas – San Antonio
Tight end wasn’t one of the biggest needs for the Minnesota Vikings, but Rick Spielman isn’t one of those general managers who puts the blinders on to positions when selecting players. Instead, the Vikings ended up with arguably the best player available at the time of selection.
Morgan is the kind of tight end that the Vikings love. He’s a solid blocker, but also has soft enough hands to sneak out and catch passes once in a while and keep defenses honest. He’s not one of those one-dimensional players that can be dismissed in certain phases of the game and that makes him extra valuable, especially the fact he can be plugged in as a fullback in a pinch.
Sadly, he’ll need to work on several phases of his game, including a tendency to hold on during blocks and poorly anticipate the snap offensively. Oddly, he appears to shuffle his feet instead of take long strides when running, which is something the coaching staff will have to automatically put as a priority to fix in his game.
"“Morgan is a rare inline TE who can block and catch. He was a very productive receiver despite being the focal point for defenses. Minnesota can utilize him in “Heavy” packages and work him into the rotation on pass downs.” —Mark Dulgerian of NFL.com"
Next: Finding more potential pass rushers
Round 7: DE Stephen Weatherly, Vanderbilt
Listed as a linebacker, Weatherly will likely be a defensive end in the Minnesota Vikings 4-3 defense. This isn’t a huge surprise, as head coach Mike Zimmer loves stockpiling talent when it comes to pass rushers and isn’t afraid to put in the work to develop these players.
Unlike many of the other Zimmer picks of the past, Weatherly isn’t the freakish athlete that a guy like Danielle Hunter or even Scott Crichton possesses. Instead, it will likely be work in the gym for flexibility and speed that will be the Vikings priority, as he lacks that big punch that defensive end requires in today’s NFL.
Finding a player with the intelligence of Weatherly at this point is great though. He can play multiple instruments including flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, tuba, baritone, sax, steel drums and piano. He can evaluate situations in front of him and make quick decisions on what angle to take and is rarely fooled by misdirection.
"“Weatherly has the size and overall length to intrigue NFL teams as a developmental prospect, but he will need additional work to become a more competitive pass rusher off the edge.” – NFL.com"
Next: The Vikings finally pick a safety
Round 7: S Jayron Kearse, Clemson
Safety was an area of need for the Minnesota Vikings, but it didn’t get addressed until the team was on the clock with their 227th overall pick. Even then, Kearse isn’t the kind of guy that will be a day one starter or possibly even a guy that has a bright future in the NFL.
He’s one of the most raw players in the 2016 NFL Draft but he’s got long limbs and speedy acceleration. He’s not the most instinctual player and he doesn’t have a lot of the techniques down pat, but he should be considered a blank slate for the coaching staff to develop into the kind of player they want in their defense.
Kearse checks a majority of the physical boxes that teams look for in a safety. He’s got the size and ability, but needs to be more physical and aggressive as well as learn to diagnose plays and react quicker. The Clemson safety should be considered a project for the Vikings, but one that could be fun to watch develop.
"“He’s a big guy, but he just doesn’t make many plays. You see him out there just drifting around sometimes and you just wish he had the same attitude and fire that the rest of that defense has because he could be so much better.” – NFC Southeastern scout on NFL.com"
Next: The 2016 Minnesota Vikings draft class
Although the Minnesota Vikings used only 8 picks of their picks in the 2016 NFL Draft, Rick Spielman still found value by trading the team’s third round selection to the Miami Dolphins for a sixth round pick this year and 2017 draft picks in the third and fourth rounds. This is the kind of dealing that has made Spielman look like a genius in the past.
However, there are still 8 great players who the Minnesota Vikings took a chance on in the draft who will be a part of the team. With all seven rounds in the book, the 2016 NFL Draft class of the Minnesota Vikings has been finalized.
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The Minnesota Vikings 2016 draft class:
- Laquon Treadwell, WR Ole Miss
- Mackensie Alexander, CB Clemson
- Willie Beavers, OT Western Michigan
- Kentrell Brothers, LB Missouri
- Moritz Boehringer, WR Schwäbisch Hall
- David Morgan, TE Texas-San Antonio
- Stephen Weatherly, DE Vanderbilt
- Jayron Kearse, S Clemson
Congratulations to the 8 players who have been selected by the Minnesota Vikings and best of luck to them in the future. Hopefully, they can help make the team a contender every year in the future.
Next: Minnesota Vikings 2016 game-by-game preview
Dont miss the Minnesota Vikings when they play during the 2016 NFL season at U.S. Bank Stadium and try to repeat as the NFC North champions. Not only that, but this team is hungry to take the next step and keep fighting toward bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Minnesota.