Minnesota Vikings Draft 2019: Worst case scenario

Reach

Another option and easily the worst one would be for the Vikings to reach for one of their needs. Minnesota could just take a guy like former Kansas State offensive lineman Dalton Risner at pick No. 18 regardless if the value is deemed worthy or not.

There is no doubt about Risner’s on-field ability. He played both guard and tackle at Kansas State and he is a powerfully quick blocker who can pull and get outside in a hurry. Risner would be a day one starter and the Vikings would definitely get production from their first-round choice in his rookie season.

Risner is also a high character guy off the field and he even has his own organization that benefits children with special needs and cancer. He’d quickly be a fan favorite and he would do wonders in the local Minnesota community.

The Vikings also could take guys like Chris Lindstrom or Erik McCoy with their first-round selection in this scenario. Both of these guys are prospects without any major flaws and like Risner, they would both be starters right out of the gate.

Obviously, Minnesota would only do this if they couldn’t find a partner to move back with. The Vikings’ front office would also have to fend off the defensive coaches who would be pounding the table for the team to take the overall better prospects on the board who could help their side of the ball out.

Minnesota has reached in the past with disastrous results. Former Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder was taken with the 12th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and that didn’t pan out at all. That selection probably still leaves a bitter taste in Rick Spielman’s mouth, so the chances are pretty slim that Minnesota would repeat this mistake and reach for a need again this year.