Draft Preview

(DeVante Parker – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)

Minnesota’s general manager Rick Spielman is doing a good job of making his own job easier. Unlike last offseason, the Vikings are entering the offseason without any glaring holes on their roster that need to be filled.

As of now, the positions that could use the most upgrading include linebacker, cornerback, safety, offensive line, defensive end, wide receiver, defensive tackle and barring the Adrian Peterson situation, running back. While some of these positions will be addressed in free agency, lets take a look at the prospects who are projected to be drafted in round one at the Vikings positions of need:

Inside Linebacker

• Bernardrick McKinney (Mississippi State) – 6’4, 249 pounds

Outside Linebacker

• Vic Beasley (Clemson) – 6’2, 235 pounds
• Shaq Thompson (Washington) – 6’2, 231 pounds
• Dante Fowler Jr. (Florida) – 6’2, 261 pounds

Cornerback

• Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Oregon) – 5’9, 195 pounds
• Trae Waynes (Michigan State) – 6’1, 183 pounds
• Marcus Peters (Washington) – 6’0, 198 pounds
• P.J. Williams (Florida State) – 6’0, 196 pounds

Safety

• Landon Collins (Alabama) – 6’0, 222 pounds

Offensive Tackle

• Brandon Scherff (Iowa) – 6’5, 320 pounds
• Andrus Peat (Stanford) – 6’7, 312 pounds
• La’el Collins (LSU) – 6’5, 321 pounds
• T.J. Clemmings (Pittsburgh) – 6’5, 305 pounds
• Cedric Ogbuehi (Texas A&M) – 6’5, 300 pounds
• Ereck Flowers (Miami, FL) – 6’5, 324 pounds
• Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame) – 6’6, 318 pounds

Defensive End

• Randy Gregory (Nebraska) – 6’6, 245 pounds
• Shane Ray (Missouri) – 6’3, 245 pounds
• Alvin Dupree (Kentucky) – 6’4, 267 pounds
• Nate Orchard (Utah) – 6’4, 255 pounds
• Danielle Hunter (LSU) – 6’6, 240 pounds
• Arik Armstead (Oregon) – 6’7, 296 pounds

Wide Receiver

• Amari Cooper (Alabama) – 6’1, 210 pounds
• DeVante Parker (Louisville) – 6’3, 209 pounds
• Kevin White (West Virginia) – 6’3, 210 pounds
• Dorial Green-Beckham (Oklahoma) – 6’5, 225 pounds
• Jaelen Strong (Arizona State) – 6’3, 215 pounds
• Devin Funchess (Michigan) – 6’5, 230 pounds
• Sammie Coates (Auburn) – 6’2, 201 pounds

Defensive Tackle

• Leonard Williams (USC) – 6’5, 298 pounds
• Danny Shelton (Washington) – 6’2, 332 pounds
• Eddie Goldman ( Florida State) – 6’3, 320 pounds
• Malcolm Brown (Texas) – 6’4, 320 pounds
• Michael Bennett (Ohio State) – 6’2, 288 pounds

Running Back

• Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) – 6’1, 207 pounds
• Todd Gurley (Georgia) – 6’1, 226 pounds

As you can see, the Vikings will have plenty of talent to choose from in round one. With this year’s draft being deep, the likeliest move for the team is to draft the best player available (at pick #11) or trade down if they find the right deal.

It should be noted that there are no guards projected to be taken in the first round. If the Vikings want to make an impact acquisition at guard to protect Teddy Bridgewater, they will likely have to address the position in free agency.

My choice for round one: WR DeVante Parker, Louisville