After taking cornerback Mike Hughes in the first round of the NFL Draft on Friday, the Vikings addressed their offensive line depth by selecting University of Pittsburgh tackle Brian O’Neill in the second round (62nd overall) on Friday.
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said O’Neil is a former tight end who needs to get stronger, but “he’s got a chance with his length and athletic ability to be special.”
“He can play left tackle at the next level,” Mayock added.
Before anyone answers for me, yes, I like that. @brian_oneill_ welcome to the team!
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) April 28, 2018
O’Neill was considered one of the, if not the, most athletic offensive linemen in the draft. The former tight end ran his 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in an eye-popping 4.80 seconds.
Offensive linemen were flying off the board earlier in the second round, with four of the first seven picks being human road graders.
- Austin Corbett, G, Nevada went 33rd to Browns
- Will Hernandez, G, UTEP went 34th to Giants
- Braden Smith, G, Auburn went 37th to Colts
- James Daniels, C, Iowa went 39th to Bears
- Connor Williams, G, Texas went 50th to Cowboys
Related:
– 5 need-to-knows about Vikings first-round pick Mike Hughes
The Vikings then traded their third-round picked (94th overall) to Tampa Bay for their fourth-round pick (102nd overall) and a sixth-round selection (180th) overall.
