5 prospects the Vikings could trade back into the first round for
By Nik Edlund
![IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Tight end Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is wrapped up during the first half by linebacker Mike Rose #23 of the Iowa State Cyclones on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Tight end Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is wrapped up during the first half by linebacker Mike Rose #23 of the Iowa State Cyclones on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthevikingage-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1029448708-850x560-8e1a1a8bdf4a68b83d1c89eda4a3ff6ee32fd52a462c93d4dc5644aa3cf53522.jpg)
Chris Lindstrom – G (Boston College)
If the Vikings end up taking any position other than guard with pick No. 18, then moving back into round one for this big mauler is something they should strongly consider.
Lindstrom is as good a guard prospect as a team is ever going to find. He’s got great size at 6-foot-4 and 308 pounds, and he just checks all the boxes. Lindstrom is plenty strong, he moves well, he is tough as nails, and he is technically sound. He is just solid in every single facet of the game.
Lindstrom doesn’t have the versatility of some of the other linemen in this draft class and many believe his arms are too short to play tackle in the pros. That’s okay though, as he’s likely a 10-year starter at guard for whatever team ends up taking him.
If Minnesota wants Lindstrom, they can’t sit back and hope he falls to them in the second round. They will have to package some picks and move up and get him.
While it may initially hurt to give up draft assets, fans will soon realize it was worth it when Lindstrom is a day one starter and the Vikings’ offensive line is vastly improved during the 2019 season.