By Jeff Diamond, former Vikings GM who will co-host WCCO's NFL Draft Show this Thursday from 6:30-11:00 p.m. He hosted The Players Show with Mike Max and Harrison Smith (along with other Vikings players) this past season on WCCO Radio
NFL Draft week has finally arrived so we can put an end to the countless mock drafts, trade speculation and draft-eligible players traveling the country to attend the Senior Bowl, Combine, college pro days and NFL team visits. Now it's time for players to find out where they're headed and for GMs and coaches to gush over their newcomers as the perfect fit on their teams.
I love the draft once it actually begins, especially the first two rounds with the more recognizable names such as quarterbacks Kyler Murray from Oklahoma and Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State and the cream of a terrific defensive line crop—Ohio State's Nick Bosa and Alabama's Quinnen Williams.
The Vikings and their fans should be happy that the team's biggest weakness and thus its highest priority—the offensive line—is one of the top groups talent-wise in this draft with lots of quality players who can step in and be an immediate starter. But don't be shocked if Minnesota General Manager Rick Spielman selects a top tight end or defensive tackle in the first round if their grades are significantly higher than the top available O-lineman. In my GM days, I never would pass up a blue chip, future Pro Bowl player at a lower priority position, especially in the first round, in order to pick a good but not great player at a need position. That's a formula for long term failure.
Spielman would love to be staring at an offensive center, guard or tackle when the Vikings are on the clock for the No. 18 pick in the first round but if that doesn't work out, he can always circle back in Rounds 2 and 3 as potential starters will still be available. But I think the Vikings need to come out of this draft with two future top quality starters on the O-line.
Here's my guide to this week's 2019 NFL Draft:
Dates & times: Round 1--Thursday, 7 pm CT; Rounds 2 & 3--Friday, 6 pm; Rounds 4-7- Saturday, 11 am
Site: Nashville is draft central where NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce the picks and welcome the first rounders to the stage. The team GMs, coaches and their staffs are based in their home cities (the Vikings will conduct the draft from their TCOPC headquarters in Eagan...and please don't call it the "war room" as this is pro football not war).
Time on the clock for picks: Teams have 10 minutes to make their choice (or trade it) in the first round, seven minutes in the second round, five minutes in the third through sixth rounds and four minutes in the seventh round.
Top five picks: Arizona, San Francisco, New York Jets, Oakland and Tampa Bay unless trades occur as is often the case. Biggest intrigue will be what Arizona does with the first overall pick--will they draft Murray and then trade their first round pick from last year QB Josh Rosen (who they traded up to get and gave him a $10.9 million signing bonus) or will they pick the top defensive player--likely Bosa or Williams or will they trade the pick if they can get a king's ransom as Tennessee did in 2016 when they received two No. 1's, two No. 2's and two No. 3's from the Rams who moved up to the top spot and selected their franchise QB Jared Goff?
Vikings picks going into the draft: First round (No. 18), second round (No. 50), third round (No. 81), fourth round (No. 114), sixth round (No. 178), sixth round (No. 209), seventh round (No. 247), seventh round (No. 250)
My read on the Vikings position priorities and the top prospects at each spot:
1. Offensive line--number one need for obvious reasons as QB Kirk Cousins' protection was shaky last season (40 sacks allowed and many more hurries) while the running game was mostly unproductive (ranked 30th in league). The O-line was totally outplayed by the Bears front seven on defense in the two costly losses last season. Last year's second round tackle Brian O'Neill is solid and should be even better in his second season. The team upgraded by releasing Mike Remmers and signing a veteran starter in Josh Kline. Riley Reiff and Pat Elflein are coming off down seasons and must return to their good form in 2017 or be replaced.
The Vikings really need to come out of this draft with two future starters who can be top tier players and hopefully ready to step in immediately as occurred for the Colts last year when they selected guard Quenton Nelson (who made the Pro Bowl) in the first round and tackle Braden Smith in the second round (and the Colts dramatically improved from a league-worst 56 sacks allowed to a league-best 18). If the Vikings draft a top tackle, Reiff could be moved inside to guard and if they draft a top center, Elflein could move to guard or vice versa.
Top-rated offensive linemen (several of whom can swing between tackle and guard): Tackles--Jawaan Taylor (Florida), Jonah Williams (Alabama), Cody Ford (Oklahoma), Andre Dillard (Washington State), Dalton Risner (Kansas State), Greg Little (Mississippi). Center/Guards--Garrett Bradbury (North Carolina State), Chris Lindstrom (Boston College), Erik McCoy (Texas A&M), Elgton Jenkins (Mississippi State), Michael Jordan (Oho State). Williams seems like a great fit if he's there at No. 18 with his guard/tackle versatility and Alabama pedigree.
2. Defensive Tackle--My No. 2 priority as Sheldon Richardson left for Cleveland in free agency and the Vikings signed Shamar Stephen but would like another impact DT from the top position group in this draft from among the following (most of whom will be long gone at No. 18): Quinnen Williams (Alabama), Ed Oliver (Houston), Christian Wilkins (Clemson), Dexter Lawrence (Clemson), Jerry Tillery (Notre Dame), Jeffery Simmons (Misissippi State--suffered an ACL tear in February which will cause him to fall in the draft).
3. Tight End--Kyle Rudolph hits 30 this year and he's still productive. David Morgan is one of the better blocking tight ends in the NFL and Tyler Conklin showed promise as a rookie fifth rounder. But the Vikings offensive coaches would love to draft another receiving threat at tight end who also can help the blocking up front. One of these tight ends could be enticing if they're still available when Minnesota picks in the first two rounds: T.J. Hockenson (Iowa), Noah Fant (Iowa), Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama), Jace Sternberger (Texas A&M).
4. Secondary--Coach Mike Zimmer stresses the importance of quality depth in the secondary so it's always a priority for him. Last year's top pick, corner Mike Hughes, is coming off ACL surgery and corner Holton Hill faces a four game suspension. Several DBs are going into the last year of their contracts but this area is likely to be a Day 3 target. Top DBs include who could be attractive if they make it to Rounds 2 or 3 include: cornerbacks Byron Murphy (Washington), Greedy Williams (LSU), Rock Ya-Sin (Temple), Deandre Baker (Georgia), Lonnie Johnson Jr. (Kentucky) and safeties Johnathan Abram (Mississippi State), Taylor Rapp (Washington), Darnell Savage (Maryland), Nasir Adderly (Delaware), Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Florida).
5. Linebacker--always a focal point for depth and special teams play and perhaps to add a player who can push Ben Gideon at weakside linebacker (Eric Wilson may be that guy as he started four games last season when Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks were hurt). Here are some top inside LBs: Devin White (LSU), Devin Bush (Michigan), Mack Wilson (Alabama), Tre Lamar (Clemson), Germaine Pratt (North Carolina St.) and premier outside linebackers/edge rushers: Josh Allen (Kentucky), Brian Burns (Florida State), Montez Sweat (Mississippi State). Local product Blake Cashman from Eden Prairie and the Gophers can play weakside LB or as an inside LB and his stock has risen after a great Combine performance. He would be a nice mid-round round pick for the Vikings.
6. Wide receiver--looking beyond the Vikings dynamic duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, I expect the Vikings to draft a receiver in the later rounds and inject him into the competition for play time with inconsistent third receiver Laquon Treadwell and two rookies the team liked last year in Brandon Zylstra and Chad Beebe. If the team doesn't draft a receiver, Aldrick Robinson also could be brought back (five TD catches last season). There are some exciting receivers in this draft who the Vikings would prefer to not see on other NFC North teams (the Packers especially could be hunting for one of these guys): D.K, Metcalf (Mississippi), Marquise Brown (Oklahoma), K'Neal Harry (Arizona State), A.J. Brown (Mississippi), Riley Ridley (Georgia), Parris Campbell (Ohio State), JJ Arcega-Whiteside (Stanford), Deebo Samuel (South Carolina), Hakeem Butler (Iowa State). I also really like Hunter Renfro who made so many big plays as a slot receiver for Clemson and would be a good mid to late round pick.
7. Running back--Dalvin Cook is a star when healthy but he has missed 19 games in his first two seasons in Minnesota and his backup Latavius Murray signed with the Saints. That leaves Mike Boone (who has looked good in limited action) and Roc Thomas (who has some legal issues) as backups along with Ameer Abdullah who also is a good returner. So the Vikings could look to add a later round back to the mix. The top backs (one of whom--after the first three listed-- could fall to where the Vikings would think about adding them): Josh Jacobs (Alabama), Damien Harris (Alabama), David Montgomery (Iowa State), Darrell Henderson (Memphis), Miles Sanders (Penn State), Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic), Elijah Holyfield (Georgia).
8. Defensive end--this position is less of a priority compared to defensive tackle for the Vikings as they have a dominant defensive end in Danielle Hunter, an aging starter who took a pay cut to stay but can still be effective in Everson Griffen and a rising talent in Stephen Weatherly who the team likes a lot and he played well in six starts when Griffen was gone last season for mental health reasons. I think Minnesota will hold off until next year's draft at this spot (when Griffen may be gone if his contract voids) and then add a rotational defensive end behind Hunter and Weatherly. The defensive end position is one of the most talented in this draft and includes these top players: Nick Bosa (Ohio State), Rashan Gary (Michigan), Clelin Ferrell (Clemson). The outside linebackers mentioned above also could play as defensive ends in the 4-3 as we did in Minnesota with Hall of Famer Chris Doleman in the 1980s and early 1990s.
9. Quarterback--With Cousins, new signee Sean Mannion and Kyle Sloter in house, the Vikings are unlikely to draft a QB this year and will likely sign an undrafted free agent as a camp arm. Next year could be a different story when Cousins will be going into the last year of his contract. Top QBs in this draft who the Vikings hope will be drafted before their first round pick as it would push the top players at other positions (such as O-line) down to them: Kyler Murray (Oklahoma), Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State), Drew Lock (Missouri), Daniel Jones (Duke) and a sleeper pick in the third round could be Ryan Finley (North Carolina St.).
No kickers or punters are likely to be drafted by the Vikings after picking Daniel Carlson in the fifth round last year and cutting him after his disastrous performance in the Week 2 tie in Green Bay.
Hopefully come Saturday night, the Vikings will look to be an improved team after this draft, especially with some new starters on the offensive line and some good depth additions.
Jeff Diamond was the NFL Executive of the Year in 1998 after the Vikings' 15-1 season. He also is former president of the Tennessee Titans. He does sports/business consulting, media and speaking work including corporate and college speaking on Negotiation, Management, Leadership and Sports Business--contact him at diamondj4@comcast.net
