ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is one of the most noted draft experts, and his 3 round 2017 mock draft has some interesting Minnesota Vikings selections.
When it comes to the NFL Draft, mocks for the Minnesota Vikings can be found everyone. Some of the most notable come from experts at major media outlets, such as ESPN, NFL.com, and CBS Sports. However, none carry the kind of impact of Mel Kiper Jr.
Kiper’s partner Todd McShay released his 3 round mock draft recently behind the ESPN paywall. Now, it is time to turn our attention to Kiper’s look at the Minnesota draft picks and how the players could fall to the team.
Here are the selections Mel Kiper Jr. made for the Minnesota Vikings during his 3 round mock draft as shared in his Insider ‘Grade A’ three-round mock draft for ESPN:
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- #48 Overall: Florida DT Caleb Brantley – “Snagging Brantley, my third-ranked defensive tackle, in the second round is good value. He had an up-and-down career but was incredibly disruptive when he played at his best.”
- #79 Overall: LSU LB Duke Riley – “Riley is a versatile defender who started only one season for LSU but made plays all over the field.”
- #86 Overall: Michigan WR Amara Darboh – “With the extra third-round pick they received when the Dolphins traded up last year, I’m giving Minnesota a project receiver in Darboh, who had 14 career touchdowns.”
Those looking for an offensive lineman in that grouping should be a bit discouraged. However, Kiper explained the situation by stating that no player fit the value at the position of need when discussing the reasoning for his selections:
"“The Vikings almost certainly will try to take an offensive lineman on Day 2, but I don’t have any left on the board at 48. As a result, I’m switching gears to defense, where there are questions about former first-round pick Sharrif Floyd‘s future.”"
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How do you feel about these selections for the Minnesota Vikings as projected by Mel Kiper Jr. in his 3 round mock draft? Would you be satisfied with these picks? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.