Work is already underway for the Minnesota Vikings as they prepare for the NFL Draft. This week really sees that process shift into high gear with the Senior Bowl.
There is no question the Vikings will have to spend some significant time and money trying to rebuild their offensive line, either through the draft or free agency.
So here is a quick look at three offensive linemen they might be watching closely during the Senior Bowl this week.
Zach Banner OL – USC
Former USC OL Zach Banner after Senior Bowl practice. pic.twitter.com/teIbcZJb1w
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) January 24, 2017
Zach Banner was the biggest prospect measured during the Senior Bowl weigh-in this week. He stands a massive 6-foot-8, and weighs in at roughly 360 pounds.
According to Sports on Earth, Banner will likely face some questions about his mobility. He played a big part in improving the USC offensive line, which allowed only 12 sacks in 13 games in 2016.
CBS Sports projects Banner to be selected in the second or third rounds, which could put him on the clock when the Vikings make their first pick in the draft.
Banner is also the son of former Oakland Raiders’ lineman Lincoln Kennedy.
Taylor Moton OT- Western Michigan
How does new Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck describe his former offensive tackle? “Elite,” of course.
Moton played an important role on Western Michigan’s offensive line, helping to lead the Mustangs to a 13-1 record.
247 Sports says Moton is one of the more athletically gifted tackles in the class. Moton weighed in at 6-foot-5, and 328 pounds. He’s also projected as a 2nd-to-3rd round pick.
Conor McDermott OT – UCLA
Conor McDermott may be more of a sentimental favorite. He is the younger brother of Vikings long snapper Kevin McDermott.
But at 6-foot-8, 310 pounds he also has the physique of an NFL tackle. CBS Sports projects McDermott as a third-round draft pick and ranks him as the No. 9 offensive tackle in the draft.
He converted from tight end at UCLA and 1500 ESPN notes that he’s still learning some of the fundamentals of the position.
