Noah Fant – TE
Fant was mocked to the Vikings more often than not during the weeks leading up to this year’s draft. Not just because of his impressive talent, but also because Minnesota tight ends Kyle Rudolph and David Morgan are both set to become free agents after next season.
Instead of using their first-round pick on Fant this year though, the Vikings made the smarter choice and selected former North Carolina State center, Garrett Bradbury. Even with Rudolph and Morgan under contract for only one more season, Minnesota’s need to improve their offensive line was much greater.
Fant didn’t have to wait much longer for his name to be called after the Vikings decided to pass on him. The former Iowa tight end was selected two picks later by the Denver Broncos.
Despite passing on Fant, Minnesota was still able to add a very talented tight end in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft in Irv Smith Jr. out of Alabama. In the end, Smith Jr. may actually turn out to be a better selection than Fant.
That’s what the Vikings are hoping for at least.