VIKINGS Team Mock 2016

April 11, 2016

The VIKINGS are moving into their new hime this fall and look to be loading up for a serious Play-Off run if QB/BRIDGEWATER takes the next progression as a 3rd year NFL QB. Being indoors for 8 home games should be a help for him and his average arm strength. GM RICK SPIELMAN has brought in a group of VFA who should help, especially on the OL. The VIKES should be a position where they have no glaring needs to fill, so they can get good value at each Pick, which is a SPIELMAN trademark. A top end WR looks to be the biggest want, and I see them taking care of that right away.

Round 1, Pick 23 JOSH DOCTSON/WR/TCU 6’2/202
He is not a speed burner (4.50.40) but he plays faster than he times and has excellent hands and ball skills. He may turn out to be the receiver that PATTERSON has not been. The guy caught 79 balls in 2015 despite missing 3 games with a broken wrist. He finds the end zone as evidenced by his 14 TD in 2015. He does everything you can ask of a receiver, including being a decent blocker. I see him as a great compliment to last year’s Rookie standout STEFON DIGGS. Wonderful value for this team. PP#22

Round 2, Pick 54 VONN BELL/S/OHIO STATE 5’11/199
SPIELMAN fills another “soft spot” on his roster with a very athletic S to go with a bunch of big hitters who aren’t great cover guys over the deep middle of the field. I expect him to get playing time and perhaps take HARRISON SMITH’s FS spot, if SMITH can handle SS instead. It will be a lot to sort out, but there is little doubt that BELL is near the top of the 2016 S position group. He’ll need to toughen up a bit and be more enthusiastic against the run. PP#53

Round 3, Pick 86 NICK VANNETT/TE/OHIO STATE 6’6/257
His skill set is very similar to KYLE RUDOLH and may allow RHETT ELLISON to convert back to more of a FB/H-B role. He will also upgrade the blocking out of a 2-TE Jumbo Set in Red Zone/Goal line scenarios. He’s also athletic enough to sneak off the line-of-scrimmage and get open in the end zone. This is another example of a SPIELMAN pick not born out of necessity, but of unquestionable value. PP#87

Round 4, Pick 121 CHARLES TAPPER/DE/OKLAHOMA 6’3/271
A player with natural pass rush skills and enough athleticism to play multiple spots in the defensive front 7. His big hands (11 1/2″) and long arms (34 3/8″) allow him to play longer than his 6’3 height might indicate. He’s also athletic and fast enough (4.59/40) to spend some time playing upright on passing downs. This will be a fun guy for MIKE ZIMMER and his defensive staff to work with and plug into some creative defensive roles. PP#122

Round 5, Pick 160 CONNOR McGOVERN/OG/MISSOURI 6’4/306
Another very strong, versatile guy who might be able to back-up 3 or 4 OL positions until he gates a chance to win a starting job. Immediate help was added along the OL in VFA, and CONNOR will provide the staff with a chess piece to develop and groom for a spot to cll his own in a year or two. Another solid pick of a strong hard working, self made player at the collegiate level. PP#160

Round 6, Pick 180 JACOBY BRISSETT/QB/NC STATE 6’4/231
A player I’m not real high on, but who may have too much athleticism and potential to really last this long, because of QB supply and demand. If he makes the team it will surely be as 3rd string behind BRIDGEWATER & SHAUN HILL. But HILL is no spring chicken and a young, athletic guy like BRISSETT could make a strong back-up option when HILL retires. PP# 186

Round 7, Pick 240 TAVON YOUNG/CB/TEMPLE 5’9/183
Based on his college productivity and attitude he should have been gone long ago. But his lack of size and good, but not elite speed, make it very likely he will never start in the NFL on a regular basis. But he certainly seems good enough to play his way onto the roster filling sub-package roles, and playing a multitude of Special Teams roles. PP#236

Round 7, Pick 244 AARON GREEN/RB/TCU 5’11/205
GREEN came on strong as a senior at TCU rushing for over 1200 yards and 11 TD. He played at the Senior Bowl venue and impressed overall. His lack of an extra gear and modest size will limit him to part time, role playing as a pro, but if he can find a niche or two on Special Teams he could make the roster if they keep 5 RB/FB players. PP# 252

Value at the Pick is a byword when talking about the drafting style of RICK SPIELMAN. And he’s now been pulling the strings as VIKES GM for long enough that the team’s roster is a testament to his ability to identify and stockpile talent. The VIKES are legit, and a serious threat to the PACKERS NFC North dominance.

PIGSKIN