The NFL Scouting Combine is complete and draft experts are coming out with another round of their mock drafts.
After many thought the Vikings would be drafting a receiver in the first round, it looks like many now believe Minnesota may be looking to fill another area of need – the offensive line.
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco has the Vikings shifting their focus to the offensive line, by selecting Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin.
NFL analysts talk about Jack Conklin's strengths and draft status: https://t.co/twJ2lvlnBX @Jack_Conklin74 #NFLCombine #Spartans
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) February 29, 2016
USA Today’s Draftwire agrees.
“Again, this isn’t the pick I would make here, but Conklin fits what Mike Zimmer wants up front, and the Vikings staff know they need to improve in the trenches. Conklin can play guard as a rookie or move directly to right tackle, providing a nasty-road-grading presence in the run game, perfect for Minnesota’s gap-heavy scheme.”
SB Nation’s Mocking the Draft also has the Vikings going with Conklin.
“At this point, Conklin’s talent is too good to pass up. Like Washington with Brandon Scherff a year ago, the Vikings could take Conklin and move him inside to guard before eventually kicks outside to tackle.”
However, some experts think Conklin could be off the board well before the Vikings pick at No. 23 overall.
Everyone on NFL.com’s panel of experts has Conklin off the board by the time the Vikings pick and they are split on whether the Vikings go offensive line or receiver in the first round.
- Bucky Brooks – Kansas State OG Cody Whitehair
- Daniel Jermiah – Baylor WR Corey Coleman
- Charles Davis – Mississippi WR LaQuon Treadwell
- Lance Zierlein – Kansas State OG Cody Whitehair
The Vikings won’t have to decide until the weekend of April 28-30 in Chicago. Before then they will have many workouts and pro days to attend, while experts will continue their predictions on what draft day will look like.
