Minnesota Vikings' Initial 2015 Round-by-Round Draft Big Board

With the 2014 season in the rearview mirror, the Minnesota Vikings will throw the switch into draft mode and start compiling massive lists of prospects to hammer out a final big board before April 30 arrives.

Minnesota has needs to address across the board. Mike Zimmer and his defensive coaching staff will be eyeing reinforcements at linebacker, cornerback and safety. Depth along the defensive line will also be a focus. Even after a season in which the defense was far more successful than the offense, Zimmer's side of the ball will still need addressing.

Offensively, the Vikings will look to build around the quarterback of the future in Teddy Bridgewater. Minnesota will identify needs at the skill positions and up front. The wide receiver corps and backfield have no pillar players at this point unless Adrian Peterson returns. The left side of the offensive line needs major revamping as well.

All of those needs must be balanced with overall talent when it comes to prospects. Minnesota is still in the business of bringing in good football players first and foremost.

With that in mind, let's go round-by-round and identify possible Vikings targets. Prospects are ranked with various factors weighed such as scheme fit, overall talent, need and positional value. These are the top prospects in each round who Minnesota should be going after.

Round 1

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1. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Alabama's candidate for the Heisman Trophy will be sought after in the first round by any team with a need at the receiver position. Cooper carried the Crimson Tide offense on his shoulders in 2014, racking up 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns. He did it all, from turning bubble screens into long gains to skying for red-zone fades for six points. His versatility would boost Minnesota's offense immediately.

Cooper was a high school teammate of Bridgewater, as Duane Rankin of the Montgomery Advertiser details. A reuniting of the two is the opposite of what rival teams want to see the Vikings pull off.

2. Brandon Scherff, OT/OG, Iowa

If the Vikings would rather address the offensive line, Iowa's Brandon Scherff is a worthwhile bet. He was groomed in the same OL factory that churned out the likes of Marshal Yanda, Bryan Bulaga and Riley Reiff. Scherff may actually have been the most dominant of those as a Hawkeye. The 6'5", 320-pound behemoth is a candidate for a kick inside to left guard, which should not dissuade the Vikings.

3. La'el Collins, OT, LSU

The career path of Matt Kalil may turn off Minnesota from addressing tackle so early again, but La'el Collins is a completely different player. While also athletic and quick, Collins is downright mean. Any defender caught in Collins' grasp was likely to end up flat on his back at the college level. Collins also packs a heavy punch in pass protection. His length and strength should ease his transition into the NFL game.

4. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

DeVante Parker would be more than a worthwhile consolation if Cooper slips from Minnesota's grasp. Also a past teammate of Bridgewater's, Parker brings size to the table. The 6'3", 209-pound receiver attacks the football in the air, using every inch of the size advantages he often holds. Parker and Bridgewater combined for 12 touchdowns in 2013 and 10 in 2012. The Vikings need a red-zone target, and Parker can be that.

5. Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington

Minnesota could opt to go all-in at the linebacker position by spending another top pick on an athletic talent. Thompson was the most dynamic defender in the country in 2014, scoring four defensive touchdowns and totaling 51 tackles. He pulled that off with a decreased snap count because Washington also featured on him on offense, where he ran for 7.5 yards per carry as a running back and scored two more touchdowns.

Thompson might be a luxury for Minnesota, but he and Anthony Barr would form a formidable duo.

Round 2

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1. Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State

Minnesota might instead wait until the second round to bring in offensive line help. Ty Sambrailo is a strong candidate. He started 41 games in his Colorado State career with experience at both left tackle and left guard. Sambrailo is equal parts big, physical, agile and versatile and would immediately boost the left side of the Vikings offensive line.

2. Paul Dawson, OLB, TCU

Paul Dawson's path to becoming a top prospect was a winding one. He transferred to TCU from a community college and started only seven games before his senior season. Then he became a star for the Horned Frogs, racking up 136 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, six sacks and four interceptions in 2014.

Dawson is a physical, athletic linebacker who can impact games in a variety of ways and is a perfect fit at Minnesota's "Will" LB spot.

3. P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

The Vikings could go back to the well for another Florida State cornerback with P.J. Williams, pairing him with ex-Seminole cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Like Rhodes, Williams is a bigger defender at 6'0" and 196 pounds. He pairs cover ability in man-to-man with effectiveness against the run, which makes him a fit across the field from Minnesota's ace.

4. Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan

Devin Funchess may have been a first-round type of receiver if not for a disastrous 2014 season. He battled injuries and terrible quarterback play, both of which deflated his production and his confidence. Every ounce of the potential he had beforehand still exists. Funchess is a 6'5", 230-pound monster who just needs a little bit of quality coaching.

5. Chris Hackett, S, TCU

TCU has a second viable prospect for the Vikings to take a peek at in safety Chris Hackett. Like Dawson, Hackett was a big-time playmaker for the Horned Frogs, reeling in seven interceptions and forcing a fumble.

His versatility is what the Vikings will be after in safety prospects. Hackett can cover over the top as a center fielder or roll down into the middle of the field as a robber, waiting in the weeds to turn offenses over.

Round 3

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1. Mike Davis, RB, South Carolina

Bruising back Mike Davis fits every description of what the Vikings should be after in their search for running back help. At 5'9" and 233 pounds, he runs with a low center of gravity and finishes runs with power. He also contributes heavily in the passing game, both as a reliable blocker and a soft-handed pass-catcher.

2. Hayes Pullard, LB, USC

Hayes Pullard was a four-year starter at USC and could slide in at the "Will" or "Mike" LB spots for the Vikings. He is an aggressive 'backer who thrives in diagnosing plays quickly before driving toward the line of scrimmage. Pullard also possesses the skills to be an effective blitzer combined with the range to hit his spots in coverage.

3. Derron Smith, S, Fresno State

A down senior season could see Derron Smith fall this far, but the safety combined for 13 interceptions in his sophomore and junior years. Smith is also an instinctive, violent reactor from his safety spot who can lower the boom on receivers and get ball-carriers to the ground in a hurry.

4. Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State

Jay Ajayi profiles as a RB prospect fit to complement Jerick McKinnon. Ajayi is a well-built back at 6'0" and 216 pounds. He can certainly carry a significant load. Ajayi toted the rock 347 times in 2014 for 1,823 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also contributed greatly as a receiver, catching 50 passes for over 500 yards and four touchdowns.

5. Josue Matias, OG, Florida State

Florida State's offensive line entered 2014 with high expectations and wilted. Josue Matias was far from the reason for that. He started at left guard for the third straight season in 2014. Pass protection is Matias' specialty, with long arms to reach rushers and quick feet to mirror. He would be a welcome sight next to John Sullivan up front for Minnesota.

Round 4

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1. Tony Lippett, WR, Michigan State

Tony Lippett is the type of receiver Minnesota could draft and get 90 percent of the player that first-round receivers like Parker or Cooper are. No receiver in college football improved from 2013 to 2014 like Lippett did. He is also a taller receiver at 6'3" and 190 pounds who plucks the football and is a viable red-zone option.

2. Eric Rowe, CB, Utah

Any interest in a second big cornerback will move Eric Rowe up Minnesota's board. He is a 6'1", 201-pound CB who converted to the outside from safety. As a longer cornerback, Rowe possesses top-end speed to run with receivers in man coverage and the ball skills to break up passes.

3. Xavier Cooper, DT, Washington State

In looking for a sub-package rusher on the interior, Xavier Cooper fits. He is a smaller defensive tackle who specializes against the pass and making plays in the backfield in general. Cooper recorded five sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss for the Cougars in 2014.

4. Jamil Douglas, OG, Arizona State

Jamil Douglas is another candidate to be converted from offensive tackle to offensive guard. He slid to the outside in 2014 to play left tackle for the Sun Devils but has experience on the inside. Douglas was an All-Pac-12 First Team performer as a senior.

5. Josh Robinson, RB, Mississippi State

Josh Robinson burst onto the scene with the rest of his team in 2014, racking up 1,203 rushing yards on 6.3 yards per carry. Robinson tacked on 370 receiving yards as well. His bowling ball-like running style and ability to contribute in the passing game should catch Minnesota's eye.

Round 5

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1. Erick Dargan, S, Oregon

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu gets all the praise in the Oregon secondary, but Erick Dargan has been contributing just as much over the last two seasons. Dargan is an opportunistic coverage safety, tallying seven interceptions in 2014. With a thicker, stronger build, he matches what the Vikings need in a tackler.

2. Martrell Spaight, OLB, Arkansas

Martrell Spaight vaulted himself into this conversation with a big 2014 season. The tackling machine collected 128 total tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss as a senior. Spaight is a well-built linebacker who thumps ball-carriers against the run without sacrificing athletic ability. His developmental arrow seems to be pointed steeply upward too.

3. Bernard Blake, CB, Colorado State

Not boasting a big interception total won't help Bernard Blake, but with 23 passes broken up over the last two years, he is still a skilled cornerback. Blake is a leaner corner at 6'0" and 185 pounds. With some physical development, he could be groomed into a starting cornerback in the NFL.

4. Deontay Greenberry, WR, Houston

Deontay Greenberry is another prospect whose disappointing 2014 campaign could lead to a draft-day fall. Poor quarterback play, an eventual change at the QB position and some inconsistent play of his own saw Greenberry's stats plummet. His 6'3", 198-pound frame and athletic skills are still worth investing in.

5. Karlos Williams, RB, Florida State

Dalvin Cook outperformed Karlos Williams in the Seminoles backfield in 2014. Williams is not the No. 1 back NFL teams likely hoped he would be. He still can complement any No. 1 as a big-bodied runner with surprisingly soft hands as a receiver and a barreling running style in space.

Round 6

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1. Rob Havenstein, OT/OG, Wisconsin

Rob Haventstein helped pave the way for Melvin Gordon's incredible 2014 campaign. From an OL factory at Wisconsin, Havenstein started three seasons at right tackle and could be the type of swing tackle who interests the Vikings in the late rounds. 

2. Marcus Hardison, DT, Arizona State

Marcus Hardison is another undersized defensive tackle who specializes as a rusher. He racked up 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss for the Sun Devils in 2014, often from the edge. Hardison would kick inside as an interior defender in Minnesota.

3. Clayton Geathers, S, Central Florida

As another physical safety to land on this list, Clayton Geathers helped himself with a terrific 2014 season. The 6'2", 208-pound safety would bring a hard-hitting, aggressive presence to Minnesota's secondary. More competition is needed in the safety ranks, and Geathers provides that.

4. Bryce Hager, OLB, Baylor

Bryce Hager was a three-year starter at Baylor and a defensive leader. He was the Bears' primary playmaker in 2014, often seen crashing into the backfield with aggressiveness. Hager also possesses NFL bloodlines. His father was a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles.

5. Josh Shaw, CB, USC

The infamous lie Josh Shaw told about how he sprained both of his ankles landed him in hot water at USC. Kyle Bonagura of ESPN.com details the story and the cornerback's eventual reinstatement. Shaw never found his form after being reinstated, but he showed sought-after CB skills as a junior in 2013. Teams would be unwise to write him off completely.

Round 7

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1. Tevin McDonald, S, Eastern Washington

The younger brother of St. Louis Rams safety T.J. McDonald was once a UCLA Bruin before transferring. Rule violations led to his dismissal, as Peter Yoon of ESPN Los Angeles broke down. After checking into possible character concerns, Minnesota would be wise to take a stab at an athletic safety who had success in the Pac-12.

2. Shaquille Riddick, DE, West Virginia

Shaquille Riddick is another transfer, but he actually moved up the ladder to West Virginia from Gardner-Webb, where he was an FCS All-American in 2013. In sparse playing time, Riddick totaled six sacks and 10 tackles for loss for the Mountaineers in 2014. He fits the profile of a long, lean defensive end Zimmer can groom into a contributor.

3. Aundrey Walker, OG, USC

A broken ankle at the end of the 2013 season threw Aundrey Walker's career path into the land of the unknown. Still trying to recover from injury and having missed spring ball, Walker was left off the lineup in 2014 and played little. If an NFL team can recover the version of Walker that graced fields in 2013, it will be glad it gave him a chance.

4. Cam Worthy, WR, East Carolina

Cam Worthy is a large receiver at 6'2" and 200 pounds. He plays every bit that big too. Shane Carden often lobbed deep balls in his direction in 2014, and Worthy battled well to win a number of them. After missing two games, Worthy still finished with over 1,000 receiving yards and caught four touchdowns for the Pirates.

5. Blake Sims, QB/RB, Alabama

Minnesota is unlikely to value Blake Sims' QB skills beyond a third-string level but could be willing to take a shot on his running skills. Sims runs with a low center of gravity and bounces off tacklers like a good running back should. His skills in pass protection and as a receiver will be predictably raw, however.

Prospect measurements via CBSSports.com. Offensive statistics via ESPN.com. Defensive statistics via CFBstats.com.