The NFL Draft is two weeks away and when the Vikings go on-the-clock with the No. 11 overall pick they’ll have plenty of talent to choose from.
Past mock drafts have commonly linked the Vikings to Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes, Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker, Alabama safety Landon Collins and a few other players.
But here’s the latest roundup of who the analysts believe the Vikings are most likely to select: and it appears to be a two-horse race.
Yahoo Sports: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
“Have no illusions: Terence Newman signing with the Vikings does not preclude them from drafting a cornerback high. Waynes fits the Mike Zimmer mold, and adding another man-cover corner — along with the underrated Xavier Rhodes — allows Zimmer to be very aggressive with his talented defense he’s building there.”
Sports Illustrated: Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
“With the top three receivers gone, and the No. 1-rated cornerback taken two spots ahead of them, the Vikings should/would happily turn in the card for Scherff, who upgrades a somewhat shaky offensive line, adds versatility, and gets to stay in Big Ten country.”
NFL.com: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
“The Vikings continue to make strides, fulfilling the image of coach Mike Zimmer by becoming a very good defensive team. Waynes is an immediate starter and producer.”
ESPN.com: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
“Waynes is like any CB in that he’s going to have growing pains, particularly in dealing with outstanding route-runners who change direction without any wasted motion, but he has good length and can cover down the field, two things I put a premium on given the QBs and WRs I have to face six times a year in the NFC North.”
FOX Sports: Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
“Just because I have Flowers going before Scherff does not mean I think Scherff plummets. The dude can play. He can be a guard or move outside and play tackle, and can do either right away. He was No. 2 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List last year and has some real football IQ. Teddy Bridgewater was under as much duress as any quarterback in football last year. Adding Scherff to the young offensive line would be a wise — €”albeit, not sexy — pick at 11th overall.”
CBS Sports: Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
“The Vikings preferred (La’el) Collins to Scherff but had nearly identical grades on the two veteran trenchmen. Teddy Bridgewater smiles wide.”
There you have it. Of six fresh mock drafts from respected sports sites, three votes go to Waynes and three to Scherff.
