Instead of waiting for their turn to come with pick 48 in round two of the NFL Draft, the Vikings pulled the trigger on a trade with the Bengals for the 41st pick.
The pick: former Florida State running back Dalvin Cook.
What the Vikings gave up: Traded their first-round pick, No. 48, and one of their fourth-round picks, No. 128 overall.
Cook was considered by most the third-best running back in a deep class. He racked up 4,464 rush yards and 46 touchdowns in his college career. ESPN’s Todd McShay called him “the most explosive” running back in the draft, and potentially “one of the steals of this draft.”
Vikings add offensive lineman Pat Elflein
Fans were panicking on Twitter as the picks passed and Western Kentucky guard Forrest Lamp was still on the board in the second round. Lamp, taken by the Chargers at 38, was considered by most to be the best guard in the draft.
Word from @DWolfsonKSTP was Vikings were trying to move up to SEA 2nd round pick, but didn't work out. Gotta think it was for Lamp.
— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) April 28, 2017
But Minnesota stayed patient and after drafting Cook they made another trade to move up from 79 to 70 in a deal with the Jets. With the 70th pick, the Vikings took former Ohio State center/guard Pat Elflein.
“One of the most technically advanced offensive lineman in this draft,” said NFL Network’s Mike Mayock. “He’s not the best athlete in the world, but he’s technically proficient. He’s one of those guys that will play 10 years in the NFL. I love the fact that he can play center and both guards. Really solid pick by the Vikings.”
Pro Football Focus believes Elflein is a better guard than center and a much better run blocker than pass protector.
Minnesota then traded the 104th pick (third round) to the 49ers for pick 109 (second pick of the fourth round) and pick 219 (first pick of the seventh round).
To recap, the #Vikings have 7 picks Saturday. That's Nos. 109, 120 and 132 in fourth, No. 199 in sixth, Nos. 219, 232 and 245 in 7th.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) April 29, 2017
