Minnesota Vikings: Final 2018 mock draft roundup

Experts released their final mocks ahead of the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on April 26th. Here is who they have the Minnesota Vikings taking at #30.

The 2018 NFL Draft is right around the corner and Minnesota Vikings fans (as well as fans of professional football in general) around the world are starting to get extremely anxious about which NCAA prospect will land with their favorite team.

Since the three-day event is rapidly approaching, experts have been putting the finishing touches on their 2018 NFL mock drafts, guessing which top college players will be selected in the first round.

Let’s take a look at who some of the most notable experts have mocked to the Minnesota Vikings at #30 overall in mock drafts that have been updated within the last week. The results have been sorted by player selected and whether they play offense or defense.

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

Orlando Brown, OT – Oklahoma

• NFL.com – Maurice Jones-Drew: “His performance at the NFL Scouting Combine didn’t help his stock, but the game tape shows Brown is a physical run blocker who flattens defensive ends.”

Austin Corbett, G – Nevada

• NFL Mocks – Sayre Bedinger: “Ensuring they get Corbett is a bit of a reach but could end up being a very good pick for them.”

Will Hernandez, G – UTEP

• SI MMQB – Peter King: “Hernandez, many scouts think, is a plug-and-play day one starter with the kind of mean streak in the running game that will make him an immediate favorite of the pugnacious Mike Zimmer.”
• With the First Pick – Jon Dove: “They could use a road grader on the interior of the offensive line like Will Hernandez.”

Mike McGlinchey, OT – Notre Dame

•  NFL.com – Chad Reuter: “Bringing in competition at both offensive tackle spots would be a good thing for a team that needs to protect its new quarterback, Kirk Cousins.”

Kolton Miller, OT – UCLA

• CBS Sports – Chris Trapasso: “Miller has a game reminiscent of Nate Solder and can be a high-end pass-protector once he adds some strength.”

Connor Williams, OT – Texas

• DraftTek: “Need to protect that $84M-guaranteed contract!”
• NFL.com – Charley Casserly: “Williams is an upgrade at the right tackle position, which hurt them late last season.”
• Washington Post – John Harris: “There’s not an opening at tackle but Williams would be an upgrade at either guard position.”

Isaiah Wynn, G – Georgia

• Fantasy Pros – Mike Tagliere: “The ceiling is there with Wynn as a former tackle, because his size is better suited as a guard, and now he’s got help on both sides.”
• NFL.com – Bucky Brooks: “The Vikings shore up the biggest weakness on their roster by adding a versatile lineman with a polished game.”
• NFL.com – Curtis Conway: “The Vikings don’t have a glaring need heading into the draft, but you can never go wrong adding more protection for your new franchise quarterback.”
• NFL.com – Daniel Jeremiah: “The Vikings need more help for the offensive line and Wynn is incredibly consistent on tape.”
• Rotoworld – Josh Norris: “I think Wynn is a top 10 prospect, and he could come in and start immediately.”
• Rotoworld – Thor Nystrom: “Wynn is a dynamic iOL prospect. I rank him as the class’ No. 10 overall player.”

The exceptional amount of offensive linemen is no surprise. Minnesota needs to ensure that they can protect Kirk Cousins after the retirement of guard Joe Berger and there are many great prospects who could fill that hole in this draft.Whether it is an offensive tackle or guard, there is a good chance it could be an offensive lineman picked on Day 1.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

Jaire Alexander, CB – Louisville

• CBS Sports – Will Brinson: “The Vikings like to draft cornerbacks early and then bring them along in Mike Zimmer’s program slowly, letting them develop at the right time.”

Taven Bryan, DL – Florida

Minnesota Vikings

• Pro Football Focus – Steve Palazzolo

Mike Hughes, CB – UCF

• Walter Football – Charlie Campbell: “The Vikings need a replacement for Terrance Newman. Assuming Trae Waynes pans out, Xavier Rhodes, Waynes and Hughes could form an excellent trio.”
• Walter Football – Walter Cherpinsky: “The Vikings need cornerback help after Nick Foles sliced and diced their secondary in the NFC Championship.”

The feel of this draft is that Minnesota will either pick an offensive lineman or defensive back in the first round. However, there is always the possibility surprise picks that could be a defensive line or tight end…or some other prospect. However, it would be hard to pass on a top cornerback after the exit of Tramaine Brock and not bringing back Terence Newman.

Next: Vikings 7-round mock draft, 2.0

Which NCAA prospect do you think the Minnesota Vikings will be selecting at #30 overall? And do you agree or disagree with some of the reasoning behind the picks on these mocks? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.