The #Vikings have selected Pittsburgh T T.J. Clemmings with the 110th overall pick. #VikingsDraft pic.twitter.com/x4h5Dca8Ed
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 2, 2015
The Minnesota Vikings took offensive players in their first four picks on the final day of the NFL Draft. With their first on Saturday and fourth overall they selected Pittsburgh offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings.
After drafting three new additions to their defense with their first three picks, the Vikings turned to offense with two tackles, a tight end and a wide receiver on Saturday. They chose a defensive end with their fifth choice of the day.
Clemmings was named a second-team All-American by the FWAA as a senior and according to the Star Tribune was expected to have been drafted sooner, going in the end as the 110th overall pick.
The Minnesota Vikings almost always get good to great value with their picks. Love the pickup of Pittsburgh OT T.J. Clemmings in Round 4.
— Draft Countdown (@DraftCountdown) May 2, 2015
The 6 foot 5-inch, 309-pound Clemmings also played high school basketball, and his NFL profile says he has “great foot quickness” who can move like a tight end, exploding out of his stance at defenders.
Minnesota had two picks in the fifth round, and chose tight end MyCole Pruitt of Southern Illinois and Stefon Diggs, a wide receiver from Maryland.
In the sixth round, the Vikings picked Tyrus Thompson, an offensive tackle from Oklahoma.
Pruitt had school record 81 catches in the 2014 season, and finished with 861 yards and 13 touchdowns, according to his NFL profile. He led all Division I tight ends in catches, yards and touchdowns.
New #Vikings TE @flyyCole_x4 was a 2-time All-American at Southern Illinois. http://t.co/KQg6BI6m7H pic.twitter.com/rOlC0yfO9e
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 2, 2015
Diggs is described as “dynamic and dangerous with the ball in his hands,” and a “natural ball-plucker” on his NFL profile, with more potential as a slot receiver than outside. It notes that he had season-ending injuries two years in a row – a broken leg in 2013 and a lacerated kidney in 2014.
Thompson was a first-team All Big 12 selection in 2014. His NFL profile says he has “NFL talent and athleticism,” but knocks him for not having the “consistency or effort” that NFL scouts wanted to see from him.
With their fifth pick of the day, the Vikings went back to defense, choosing defensive end B.J. Dubose of Louisville.
In the seventh round, the Vikings took offensive tackle Austin Shepherd of Alabama. His NFL profile describes him as an “NFL backup with the potential to become a starter.”
Minnesota’s final pick of the day and the 10th of the draft is outside linebacker Edmond Robinson of Newberry College in South Carolina.
Typical #Vikings draft. Piling up picks. Addressing pressing needs early. Betting on athletes. Waiting until final day to take linemen.
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) May 2, 2015
The final tally for the Vikings’ draft this year is 10 picks – five players on offense and five on defense.
It’s also worth noting that the Vikings did not engineer a trade involving running back Adrian Peterson during the draft, which is an indication that his agent is likely giving up on his efforts for a trade, the Star Tribune reports.
Find more about all the Vikings’ draft picks on the NFL Draft site.
