Which prospects from the 2018 draft pool will the Minnesota Vikings take a chance on this year to help the franchise make a run at a championship next season?
We are nearing the 2018 NFL Draft, ladies and gentleman. On April 26, the Minnesota Vikings will begin the process of adding more talent to an already highly-skilled roster.
Minnesota is coming off of a free agency period with massive transitions in the team’s makeup. Teddy Bridgewater, former franchise quarterback, along with Sam Bradford and Case Keenum, have all left the team for new chapters in their NFL careers.
These changes accelerated the signing of Kirk Cousins, who now becomes a major piece to the future of this franchise. The Vikings will look to add players in this year’s draft to compliment the play of Cousins, especially on the offensive line. Look for Minnesota to address that position early and often.
Fans must not forget their head coach either. Mike Zimmer will want to continue infusing the defense with young, fresh talent in order to compliment and build around the current stars already on the squad.
One way or another, the NFL Draft is an event that will fuel the excitement of many football fans across the nation.
It is common knowledge to everyone in Minnesota that the Vikings need to add more talent to their offensive line in the 2018 NFL Draft. The question remains, who?
One of the most impressionable young prospects in this year’s crop is Isaiah Wynn, an offensive tackle/guard out of Georgia. He is a player that will continue to be linked to the Vikings as the draft inches closer.
Although Wynn played left tackle in college, many analysts have him slated as a guard at the next level due to his smaller frame. He would be significantly shorter than most NFL offensive tackles given his height (6-foot-3).
Wynn is able to make up for his lack of size with dominant strength and exceptional athleticism. He is able to get up field quicker than most and help seal blocks in the second level.
In pass protection, Wynn rarely gives up any ground, and consistently wins blocks with the use of his physical tools. He is quick footed enough to keep up with speedy edge-rushers while also being able to absorb and redirect bull rushers in his face.
Wynn stands out on tape and he did his work against some of the best competition in the NCAA. He is a day one starter with All-Pro capability.
Mike Remmers may permanently move inside to guard for the 2018 campaign, leaving the starting right tackle spot open for the taking. Rashod Hill showed promise in parts of last season, but he is better suited to serve as a swing-tackle off the bench.
The Vikings will look to add starting caliber competition to the position and Orlando Brown is one name to keep an eye on. Brown, out of Oklahoma, is special talent who fall in this draft due to historically poor athletic testing.
Brown is a massive specimen who dominated at Oklahoma, protecting Baker Mayfield’s blind side. His gigantic size and length tends to engulf the defenders in front of him, making it seemingly impossible for bull rushers to attack. He plays with nastiness in the run game, always looking to finish blocks.
Brown performed horribly at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, but it was to be expected with his size. His quickness is a bit underrated, although not a strength. He can keep up with speed-rushers because of his ability to knock defenders off course early and shield the quarterback with his reach to protect around the arc.
In this scenario, Minnesota would have the opportunity to nab an elite pass protector in the second round. It is unknown how far Brown will fall on draft day, but his upside is just as enormous as his frame.
His tape is far too impressive to ignore and the physical traits (length and arm reach) will help alleviate the lack of athleticism.
The NFL’s top ranked defensive team in 2017 is landing another potential starter in the third round.
Minnesota chooses a safety not out of necessity, but for depth and versatility. Andrew Sendejo and Harrison Smith are a very formidable duo in the back end of the secondary, but adding Rashaan Gaulden into the mix would be an excellent fit to continue fueling the Vikings’ stout defense.
Gaulden is valuable because of his ability to play so many different roles. For a safety, he has the rare ability to line up in the slot and play solid, physical man-coverage.
At 6-foot-1, Gaulden is uniquely sized compared to his peers and will be able to matchup well as a nickel corner in the NFL.
He is also a very adept tackler, finishing plays with ferocity and physicality similar to a linebacker. It is difficult to come across turnovers in the NFL, but Gaulden is very active and opportunistic. He caused three fumbles in 2017 and hauled in one interception.
Despite signing Sheldon Richardson to one-year deal in free agency, the Vikings could still use some depth on the defensive front. Shamar Stephen and Tom Johnson have both departed, leaving the defensive tackle position as an open need for Minnesota.
How about an impact talent in the fifth round? It is not that far-fetched. Andrew Brown has unique capabilities for a defensive tackle. Although he was not always dominant, the flashes were portrayals of elite potential.
He can rush from the interior, as he totaled nine sacks over the last two seasons. He pushes the pocket well as a bull-rusher and never stops working to shed his blocker.
His motor is non-stop, which is what makes him so productive in stopping the run. He also positions himself well in the gaps to slash inside and blow up the momentum of the play.
Brown could be a starter relatively soon in his career because of his quickness off the ball and his ability to match up well against slower guards. He did not always play up to his potential in college, but a little Mike Zimmer treatment could be the recipe Brown needs to achieve legitimate success in the NFL.
The Vikings are pretty well set up at the tight end position with Kyle Rudolph and David Morgan heading into 2018. Rudolph is a dangerous red zone threat and should be a primary scoring option for new quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Fumagalli would simply be added to the mix for insurance, considering Rudolph’s recent injury history. In the worst case scenario where Rudolph would have to miss significant time, Fumagalli would be able to provide a complementary receiving weapon alongside Morgan.
Despite missing one finger because of a birth defect, Fumagalli proved to be a reliable receiving option in the NCAA. His hands are among the best in his class and that will be his calling card when the draft begins next week.
Fumagalli is surprisingly mobile for his size and moves well to create separation on his routes. He is better rounded player than scouts give him credit for, and flashed with some solid performances during his career as a Badger.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has been known to take his shot with linebackers late in the NFL Draft. Look for that cycle to continue in 2018 with Jack Cichy.
Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks anchor the middle of Minnesota’s defense, but there is always room for depth.
Cichy is not elite talent but many evaluators have slept on his stock for his transition to the NFL. His career was actually off to an impressive start before a knee injury derailed his momentum in 2017
Cichy plays the position with a throwback style and shows the passion needed to play at the next level. His instincts and reactionary skills are what set him apart on the field.
He lacks the speed and desired athletic ability, but Cichy is aggressive enough to chase down the opposing ball carrier and fill inside gaps when defending the run.
The leadership is a genuine quality for the Wisconsin alum. At the very least, his effort will bode well for a valuable role on special teams.
Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen proved to perform as an elite receiving duo in 2017. The two combined for 12 touchdowns and over 2,000 yards receiving last season. Despite adding Kendall Wright to replace Jarius Wright this year, Minnesota may still look to add another pass catcher in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Look for Laquon Treadwell to take a step in the right direction next year, but if he does not perform to the desired level, the Vikings may want to have insurance. Javon Wims is a similar style player to Treadwell, with the size to match up well against smaller corners in jump ball scenarios.
Wims was not a volume receiver for the Bulldogs, but he was excellent in the clutch, showing the ability to make contested catches with little room. According to NFL.com, He notched seven touchdowns through the air and could be a dark horse player on day three of the NFL Draft.
Jerick McKinnon has left town for San Francisco, signing a well-deserved deal with the 49ers. With his departure, Minnesota will be looking for a versatile back that can provide depth and the ability to catch out of the backfield.
Ito Smith would be high on the list of potential replacements if we were going to profile candidates.
He was an excellent receiving option as a running back during his time at Southern Miss as he racked up 866 receiving yards over the last two seasons. His hands are soft and he generally matches up well against linebackers, creating separation consistently.
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As a runner, Smith is a decisive cutter, generating speed off sudden movements. He has strong legs and a unique ability to run low and dip around larger defenders.