Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft: Best and Worst Case for Every Round

We finally reach the last in our series of Best/Worst case for each round, wrapping things up with the Minnesota Vikings.

Last time I switched up the phrasing—I didn't always say 'worst-case scenario'—and it confused folks. So simply put, the first player is the first choice, the second is the worst-case scenario.

Savvy?

Here is the haul the Vikings have for picks, second only in number to the Packers in the NFC North.

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Round 1, Pick 3 (overall)
Round 2, Pick 35
Round 3, Pick 66
Round 4, Pick 98
Round 4, Pick 128 compensatory
Round 4, Pick 134 compensatory
Round 5, Pick 138
Round 6, Pick 175 from Cleveland Browns
Round 7, Pick 210
Round 7, Pick 223 from New England Patriots via Philadelphia Eagles

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Not a bad haul at all.

Let's start with a pick where it's hard to believe anything other than the top choice will happen.

Round 1, Pick 3 (overall)—Matt Kalil, OT, USC

We've gone around on this before—there are other choices but a franchise left tackle who will play for you for the next 10 years? Yeah, Kalil is your guy.

If, by some wonky set of circumstances, he's gone, the world will probably end or the earth will spin off away from the sun. After that, Morris Claiborne from LSU, the top cornerback in the draft, is a natural selection.

Round 2, Pick 3—Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama

Jenkins' off-the-field issues have some teams a bit worried, but it seems that since arriving at North Alabama, he's largely been trouble free. There was some debate recently as to whether he still smoked pot at North Alabama, but apparently he did not. Teams will do their due diligence, but he looks a lot like a guy who got the message early and has turned it around. Oh yeah, he's one of the best cover corners in the draft.

If he's not there, SS Harrison Smith from Notre Dame would be a fine addition to the secondary. He's a distant second to Alabama's Mark Barron, but that's not a knock. He'd be a great fit in the Vikings' defense.

Round 3, Pick 66—Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State

Quick is far more agile than his frame would indicate. Though he's still a little raw, he was dominating at the FCS level. Quick has more than once proven his ability despite the perception that his numbers were inflated by a lower level of competition. He would be an excellent addition across from Percy Harvin in an offense that needs weapons.

If Quick is gone, they could pick up Cam Johnson, DE from Virginia. Johnson is a tough, strong, explosive end who might be able to move to outside linebacker. Even staying at his primary position, his power would be a welcome addition to the line and he could be a starter down the road.

Round 4, Pick 9—Keenan Robinson, OLB, Texas

Robinson is tough against the run both between the tackles and downhill when he finds an open lane to the ball-carrier. He has a high motor and would be great on special teams until he sharpened his pass-rushing skills.

An alternative if Robinson is gone would be Cal WR Marvin Jones, a longtime favorite of mine. Depending on how the draft has fallen before now, the Vikings could use another receiver. Jones' production in 2011 dropped off, but he's hungry to prove himself and has the ability to back it up. This would be an outstanding pick for the Vikes, especially if them missed out on Quick in the last round.

Round 4, Pick 128 compensatory—Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State

Ballard is a thick, powerful runner who is hard to bring down. He's really a one-cut-and-go guy, without the ability to make big plays on his own. However, he's a perfect backup who can run for hard yards as well as catch the ball out of the backfield. 

If Ballard is gone, the alternative could be Senio Kelemete, offensive guard from Washington. A bit of a project, Kelemete would provide quality depth and have the potential to be a starter down the road.

Round 4, Pick 134 compensatory—Markelle Martin, FS, Oklahoma State

You can never have too many big-hitting safeties, but Martin is also adept at reading routes and anticipating throws. He's a performer—the bigger the stage, the better the game from him.

Worst-case scenario would be a guy like Jake Bequette, defensive end from Arkansas. A relentless player who could move to linebacker, Bequette was injured and couldn't work out at the combine. He's a little average athletically but would be a good project for the defensive front.

Round 5, Pick 138—B.J. Coleman, QB, Chattanooga

I've mocked Coleman to a few NFC North teams, and he truly would fit several franchises. He's a project for sure, but he has the potential to be a very good quarterback, if not a starter.

If Coleman is gone, Hebron Fangupo, a DT from Brigham Young, is an option. Fangupo is a thick tackle who will mostly stay inside the numbers but has tremendous raw strength. The team would have to monitor his weight (he's had issues), but he has the potential to be a very productive player.

Round 6, Pick 175 from Cleveland Browns—Garth Gerhart, C, ASU

Gerhart is a very smart, quick blocker who showed toughness playing through injuries during games. He can get overpowered, though, and has a limited range as a blocker.

Worst-case scenario if Gerhart isn't there, the Vikings could look at Cory Harkey, TE from UCLA. Harkey is a tremendous blocking tight end and could help keep Christian Ponder upright.

Round 7, Pick 210—Ryan Miller, OG, Colorado

Miller could play guard or tackle as needed and would be another excellent depth pick at this point in the draft. Miller is agile for his size and is a very good run-blocker as well as a solid pass-blocker, if a little inconsistent at times.

If Miller is gone, ILB Jerry Franklin from Arkansas would be a nice project. Franklin can really lay a hit and is an outstanding run-defender.

Round 7, Pick 223 from New England Patriots via Philadelphia Eagles—Darius Fleming, OLB, Notre Dame 

Fleming strikes me as a guy who special assistant to the head coach and linebackers coach Mike Singletary could really help. He is a bit raw, but shows great field awareness. He is a solid athlete, but plays too upright. A little coaching, though, and I believe he could be a great special teams contributor.

If Fleming isn't there, the Vikings could take Danny Trevathan, OLB from Kentucky. Trevathan is a very fast, instinctive player who could make a dent in special teams and, with some coaching, become a rotational linebacker for the Vikings.