7 draft prospects the Vikings probably regret passing on

2015 Fourth Round

Original Pick: T.J. Clemmings – OT (Pittsburgh)

Many thought the Vikings got a steal when T.J. Clemmings fell to them in the fourth round. He was considered to be a late-first or early second-round pick heading into the 2015 NFL Draft.

What sent him tumbling down draft boards were rumors of a stress fracture in his foot. Minnesota got their money’s worth out of him right out of the gate.

Vikings starting right tackle Phil Loadholt was lost for the season and Clemmings ended up starting every game as a rookie. He was named a starter again in 2016, but didn’t play as well.

Clemmings was eventually let go by Minnesota during the their final cuts after the 2017 preseason. He played with the Washington Redskins for one season and is he now a member of the Oakland Raiders.

While he’s started 32 games in his NFL career, he hasn’t played very well at all in many of those matchups.

Could’ve Had:  Za’Darius Smith – DE/LB (Kentucky)

The Baltimore Ravens landed the man the Vikings should have taken just 12 picks after Clemmings was drafted in 2015.

Za’Darius Smith has been very productive for the Ravens in his role as a rotational player and spot starter. He’s racked up 119 tackles and 18.5 sacks in four seasons with Baltimore.

Smith is a classic DE/OLB hybrid-type of player, so his role in Mike Zimmer’s defense would likely be with his hand in the dirt as a pass rushing defensive end.  He is athletic enough to play standing up and cover backs and ends though, so it’s possible he could’ve played more of an Anthony Barr type of role in Minnesota.

What is interesting is that there have been rumblings that the Vikings could go after this guy in free agency this offseason. So maybe Minnesota will still end up with Smith, just four years later than they should have.