Vikings Dream Draft: What if Minnesota could pick any player they desired in 2017?

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Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Seventh selection:

*O.J. Howard, TE – Alabama***

6-foot-6
251 pounds

40-yard dash: 4.51 seconds
225 lb. bench: 22 reps

Career stats:

114 catches, 1,726 receiving yards
15.1 yards per catch, seven touchdowns

In the NFL, tight end is certainly not one of the flashiest positions. But it is definitely one of the most important for an offense.

This offseason, Minnesota saw Rhett Ellsion (and his charming father) depart the Twin Cities for the Big Apple and sign with the New York Giants. Kyle Rudolph is still the Vikings’ top option at tight end but David Morgan is an unproven backup and selecting another player from the position group is a route the team should take in this year’s draft.

Howard is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses and he would provide Sam Bradford with another talented option to throw to. Lobbing a pass to him in the end zone is pretty much an automatic touchdown.

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