Mid-Round NFL Draft Targets Who Could Start in Year 1 for Minnesota Vikings

The best players are typically found in the early rounds of the draft, but first-day NFL starters are not restricted to the first or second round. General manager Rick Spielman and the Minnesota Vikings will be sure to select just as carefully in the middle rounds, as there could be a viable starter ripe for the picking.

Minnesota improved more than its 7-9 record would show this past season, but this team still has plenty of roster weaknesses to improve upon through free agency and the draft.

With the results of free agency yet to be determined and the Adrian Peterson saga still awaiting a definitive resolution, the Vikings have questions at multiple key positions.

Based on Minnesota's current roster, Spielman should view weak-side outside linebacker, offensive guard, running back, wide receiver, cornerback and (to a degree) safety as positions that could be improved this offseason. As nice as it would be, it is unrealistic to assume the Vikings can address all of these issues during free agency and the early rounds of the draft.

If Minnesota hopes to contend in 2015, it will likely need to receive an immediate return on investment from a middle-round draft selection. Let's take a look at a few (expected) middle-round prospects who could step in immediately and fill a roster weakness for the Vikings.

OLB Jordan Hicks, Texas

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The Vikings addressed the outside linebacker position early in the 2014 NFL draft by selecting former UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, but the team still maintains a need at this position.

Incumbent weak-side outside linebacker Chad Greenway has seen his skills in pass coverage regress over the past few seasons, and his excessively high salary-cap figure could make him expendable. In addition, Mike Zimmer could elect to move Greenway inside to help minimize putting him in situations that don't reflect well on his current skill set.

Due to these questions, Spielman will almost certainly target an outside linebacker at some point during the 2015 draft. Although this positional need merits an early-round selection, Spielman may aim to fill this hole with a middle-round selection such as Texas linebacker Jordan Hicks.

Hicks won't fall into the middle rounds due to lack of ability; he is an athletic, well-sized player with good technique. However, catastrophic injuries and character concerns plagued Hicks' college career, and this should dramatically influence his draft stock.

The Texas prospect missed a combined 19 games from 2012-2013 with a hip injury and a torn Achilles. Hicks was also suspended two games for a violation of team rules back in 2012.

He is healthy now, however, and has been impressive early in the draft process, according to Draft Breakdown's Luke Easterling: "Hayes Pullard & Jordan Hicks standing out among the North LBs so far today. #SeniorBowl."

Assuming his body can hold up over the rigorous 16-game NFL season, Hicks could potentially start immediately in the NFL. He is a reliable open-field tackler, can be productive as a pass-rusher and has impressive closing ability in pass coverage.

Hicks' 6'1", 234-pound frame isn't "perfect" for the position, but he is strong and uses his compact structure to create an advantage.

Minnesota would likely benefit more from spending an early-round selection on an outside linebacker, but if he receives clearance from medical tests, Hicks could prove to be a first-year starter, despite being an expected third-to-fifth-round selection.

G Jarvis Harrison, Texas A&M

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The Vikings' offensive line issues received a ton of well-deserved criticism in 2014, and Spielman will likely attempt to improve this team weakness in one way or another through the draft.

Matt Kalil may be the face of Minnesota's offensive line issues, but Charlie Johnson—a strong candidate for release this offseason—provided plenty of headaches too. With Johnson's future up in the air and David Yankey not yet big enough for Zimmer's liking, the Vikings could target a guard in the draft's middle rounds.

Texas A&M's Jarvis Harrison has the size and strength to play both offensive tackle and guard at the NFL level, but he has the skill set to be a difference-maker at guard. He has seen his draft stock fall since last season, but Harrison still likely will be selected in the middle rounds, making him a perfect target for Minnesota.

Standing at 6'4" and weighing 330 pounds, Harrison is more than big enough to take on NFL-sized defensive tackles in his rookie season. He is also very athletic, especially for his size, which allows him to drive initial defenders as a run-blocker before shifting his attention to a second-level defender. This athleticism can also be seen in pass protection, as Harrison flows naturally and fluidly to his assigned defender.

Harrison has all the skills necessary to succeed at the next level, and his NFL-ready size and strength could potentially allow him to be a year-one starter. Given the Vikings' current need at a guard, Harrison—as well as multiple other 2015 guard prospects—could provide an immediate return if Minnesota selects him.

RB David Cobb, Minnesota

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Assuming Peterson doesn't return to the Vikings next season—and this is quickly becoming a very real scenario—the Vikings will need to upgrade the running back position.

Fortunately, the current draft value of the running back position and the depth of the 2015 class benefit Minnesota. Consequently, the Vikings could easily acquire a bell-cow running back in the third or fourth round and receive an immediate upgrade over Matt Asiata.

Jerick McKinnon was impressive during his rookie season and possesses an explosive skill set, but he was also a liability in pass protection and wasn't noticeably effective running between the tackles.

University of Minnesota prospect David Cobb looks the part of a three-down running back and would present an immediate upgrade at the running back position.

As Easterling notes, Cobb is already an NFL-ready, three-down starter: "It wouldn't shock me at all if David Cobb is the most productive back from this class in his rookie season. Day 1, 3-down starter."

Cobb compensates for his average speed and explosiveness with excellent decision-making and textbook running style. He has shown an ability to quickly recognize the optimal hole to run through and more often than not makes the most of each of his carries.

At 5'11", 229 pounds, Cobb has ideal size for the position, and even a brief review of his film reveals that he is a tough tackle. As a sweetener, his ability to pass-block and catch the ball out of the backfield makes him a steal for a running back-needy team in the third or fourth round.

If the Vikings and Peterson do part ways, Cobb could assume the full-time duties at running back, allowing McKinnon to become a strong change-of-pace option.

WR Tony Lippett, Michigan State

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The Vikings missed out on Canadian Football League prospect Duron Carter earlier this week, which means the team still needs to find a big-frame wide receiver who plays to his size this offseason.

While drafting a player such as Louisville's DeVante Parker or West Virginia's Kevin White in the first round is certainly an enticing option, this may not be the most cost-effective solution to the problem. As a result, Spielman and the Vikings could target a tall wide receiver like Michigan State's Tony Lippett in the middle rounds of the 2015 draft.

Lippett isn't a must-see talent, but he does possess strengths the Vikings covet. At 6'3", 195 pounds, Lippett has the size and long limbs Minnesota desperately needs to add to its receiving corps. These ideal measurables combined with above-average athleticism give him a huge catch radius, a benefit that makes even the most inaccurate passers look great on occasion.

Despite maintaining subpar speed, relative to his position, Lippett makes up for this with good separation skills and the ability to high-point the football.

These skills in combination with his size make him a perfect candidate for end-zone fade routes, something the Vikings rarely utilized in 2014 due to a lack of viable personnel.

He may not be a true No. 1 wide receiver, but Lippett would immediately add critical abilities and size that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater could certainly benefit from.

CB Ladarius Gunter, Miami (Florida)

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The Vikings already roster one tall cornerback in Xavier Rhodes, and the team could potentially add another during the middle rounds of the 2015 draft with Miami prospect Ladarius Gunter.

Josh Robinson played well from time to time in 2014, and Captain Munnerlyn is still a top slot cornerback despite a down season, but Minnesota needs another tall cornerback to defend against the NFC North's huge wide receivers.

Standing at 6'2", 192 pounds, Gunter owns the necessary height and length to defend against tall wide receivers such as Calvin Johnson or Brandon Marshall, who specifically exposed Robinson this past season.

As noted by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Omar Kelly, Gunter is an NFL-ready prospect despite owning a fourth-round grade: "UM's Ladarius Gunter, who I envision as a 4th rd pick, should be able to play right away as a rookie. He's a big press CB with good hips."

In addition to possessing loose hips and great recognition skills in coverage, Gunter is a solid tackler and should be able to make a difference in run support. He is very aggressive, trusting his instincts in coverage, which could lead to him being burned early on in his career, but Gunter has the frame and abilities Minnesota needs to adequately defend in red-zone coverage.

Gunter should rise up draft boards as the offseason continues, but as it stands today, he would be a great add for the Vikings in the middle rounds and could potentially step in as a starter opposite Rhodes from day one.

S Durell Eskridge, Syracuse

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As I preached throughout the 2014 season and will continue to preach this offseason, Robert Blanton's play should not rank high on Minnesota's list of concerns. If the opportunity presents itself at a cost-effective price, however, the Vikings could surely benefit from upgrading the strong safety position.

Syracuse safety Durell Eskridge's size, skill set and current draft stock may present an ideal opportunity for Minnesota to upgrade at strong safety.

Although the redshirt junior could have benefitted from another year in school, as noted by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. (via Syracuse.com's Nate Mink), he still possesses the size and ability to dethrone Blanton as the Vikings starter opposite Harrison Smith.

Had he stayed in school for another season, Eskridge may have dramatically improved his draft stock. While his draft position may suffer because of this decision, his choice also presents the Vikings with an opportunity to acquire a big, difference-making safety without spending a high-round selection.

At 6'3", 203 pounds, Eskridge has the size to punish wide receivers willing to enter his zone over the middle of the field. He also shows great fluidity in coverage and can be a factor in run defense; Eddie Lacy certainly would have a much more difficult time running through Eskridge than he did through Blanton.

Minnesota has more pressing needs than at safety, but Eskridge would be a difficult prospect to pass up in the fourth or fifth round. He may be a bit raw, but his size, natural ability and strong work ethic suggest his selection could pay immediate dividends for a Vikings team lacking a definitive playmaker opposite Smith.

Prospect size and college statistics courtesy of Sports-Reference.com.

For more Vikings analysis, statistics and discussion, find me on Twitter @RobertReidell, and be sure to keep tabs on the new Vikings draft website Minnesota Vikings Draft.