We haven’t even gotten to the Super Bowl yet and already we are starting to hear growing speculation on how this year’s NFL Draft will go.
A pair of mock drafts were released on Thursday and interestingly enough both have the Vikings reuniting Teddy Bridgewater with his top college weapon.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper – the best-known of the “draft gurus” – has the Vikings taking Louisville receiver DeVante Parker with the 11th pick in the first round.
Vikings going to reunite Teddy Bridgewater with old Louisville teammate, Mel Kiper predicts.http://t.co/hUydJvsbck pic.twitter.com/DQWcDIorAF
— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) January 15, 2015
Kiper’s reasoning:
“Teddy Bridgewater showed he can be the long-term answer at quarterback if his development continues, and while there are also questions along the offensive line, Parker is a tantalizing talent at this point, as I think some teams will have him graded as the best receiver in this draft class once they’ve wrapped up evaluations. This is A.J. Green lite, and he’s not that lite. Parker doesn’t just have the leaping ability and length to go up and get it and beat even longer defensive backs at the catch point, he can create space with his short-area explosiveness underneath. Teddy needs another weapon. Here he is.”
NFL.com’s Jeremiah Daniel also thinks Parker will be the pick at 11 for the Vikings.
The move would make some sense for the Vikings, who have a need at receiver.
Parker played in just seven games for Louisville in 2014, but he made a big impact when he was on the field, catching 43 passes for 855 yards and five touchdowns.
The Pioneer Press notes Parker’s best season was Bridgewater’s senior year at Louisville. Parker made 55 catches for 885 yards and 13 touchdowns.
If the draft works out that way, a Louisville reunion may be just what the Vikings offense needs.
