Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft and Big Board: Updated Day 2 Predictions
The Minnesota Vikings crossed off one of their biggest needs during the first round of the 2016 NFL draft, using the 23rd overall pick on Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell.
With receiver taken care of, general manager Rick Spielman and the Vikings can use the rest of the draft to buttress a young, talented roster lacking many obvious holes. The offensive line, safety, linebacker and punter are all options moving forward, although none of the positions appear to be immediate needs.
In the following slides, we will update the Vikings' big board after Thursday night's first round and develop a mock draft featuring the final six rounds.
Big Board
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The updated big board includes Minnesota's top 50 players available after Thursday night's first round. As always, positions are weighed by need, with receiver now prioritized less moving forward.
Round 2
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Round 2, Pick 54: S Vonn Bell, Ohio State
Two safeties—Karl Joseph of West Virginia and Keanu Neal of Florida—went in the middle of the first round on Thursday night.
It's possible a run on the second tier of safeties could come early on Friday, but there's also a hoard of good players separating the 32nd pick and Minnesota's 54th overall selection.
If Bell gets to 54, he'd be a no-brainer for the Vikings. His overall game is far from refined, and he doesn't possess ideal size for a safety, but his instincts and ability to play sideline-to-sideline would be appealing traits for a team looking for a running mate for Harrison Smith.
Round 3
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Round 3, Pick 86: OL Joe Thuney, North Carolina State
The Vikings added depth and talent along the offensive line in free agency, but the second day of the draft should be used to acquire at least one more developmental player up front.
Regardless of how Minnesota wants to address the need, there should be plenty of options.
While Thuney might not be a long-term solution at left tackle, he has experience playing at center, guard and both tackle positions.
At 6'5", he possesses the size to play at the next level at either tackle or guard—two positions where the Vikings could still use more depth.
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Round 4
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Round 4, Pick 121: DL Willie Henry, Michigan
It seems likely that the Vikings will—like most teams in this draft—take advantage of a defensive line class dripping with talent and depth. With the defensive front ranking low on Minnesota's list of needs, the Vikings can wait until the fourth round to take one.
In this scenario, Minnesota goes with Michigan's Willie Henry, who is an athletic 3-technique capable of disrupting the quarterback with burst off the snap and elaborate twists and stunts on the inside.
He might not be an every-down player, but Henry can fit into the Vikings' line rotation and eventually replace Tom Johnson as Mike Zimmer's go-to backup in pass-rushing situations.
Round 5
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Round 5, Pick 160: LB Travis Feeney, Washington
The Vikings cherish athleticism and pass-rushing ability at linebacker, and Feeney—who produced 17.5 tackles for losses and eight sacks as a senior—provides both.
According to NFL.com, Feeney finished with top workout numbers among linebackers in the 40-yard dash (4.5 seconds), vertical leap (40 inches), broad jump (133 inches) and 60-yard shuttle (11.71 seconds).
At 6'4" and 230 pounds, Feeney used his speed and power to become an impact player as an attacking linebacker in Washington's scheme.
Is Feeney in the same realm as Anthony Barr? Of course not, but Mike Zimmer has generally done well with linebackers like Feeney.
Round 6
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Round 6, Pick 180: P Tom Hackett, Utah
Jeff Locke has enjoyed three years of relative comfort on the Vikings roster. That should change with this draft.
Minnesota has been one of the worst punting teams in football, and with Locke entering the final year of his rookie deal, the time is right for the Vikings to add a punter.
Enter Hackett, who won the Ray Guy Award in both 2014 and 2015. A rugby-style punter who often made putting the ball inside the 20-yard line look easy, the 23-year-old would push Locke for his roster spot. Competition at punter is needed.
Round 7
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Round 7, Pick 240: CB Kevon Seymour, USC
He's a big project as a perimeter cornerback, but Seymour has the athletic tools and special teams ability to stick on the roster. The Vikings will likely add depth at cornerback, especially with Captain Munnerlyn and Terence Newman entering contract seasons.
Round 7, Pick 244: DE Dean Lowry, Northwestern
The Big Ten product isn't going to run around many tackles in the NFL, but he has good length and power and attractive positional versatility. The Vikings could view him as a long-term replacement for Brian Robison at defensive end.
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