Minnesota Vikings Draft Analysis Daily Norseman

The NFL Draft has been concluded, yielding a total of twelve draft picks for the Vikings, and included six trades.

To recap, the Vikings drafted:

1.18 – Garrett Bradbury, C, North Carolina State

2.50 – Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama

3.102 – Alexander Mattison, RB, Boise State

4.114 – Dru Samia, G, Oklahoma

5.162 – Cameron Smith, LB, USC

6.190 – Armon Watts, DT, Arkansas

6.191 – Marcus Epps, S, Wyoming

6.193 – Olisaemeka Udoh, OT, Elon

7.217 – Kris Boyd, DB, Texas

7.239 – Dillon Mitchell, WR, Oregon

7.247 – Olabisi Johnson, WR, Colorado State

7.250 – Austin Cutting, LS, Air Force

Starters on Offense, Backups on Defense

Looking at the Vikings draft overall, it's clear they were looking at draft starters on offense – especially offensive line, and backups on defense

In terms of immediate impact, Irv Smith Jr., Garrett Bradbury, and Dru Samia may be the most important draft picks for the Vikings, with Alexander Mattison perhaps the best of Dalvin Cook at RB – similar to Latavius ​​Murray last season.

The rest are all potential upgrades to the depth chart.

Vikings Offensive Line May Have Three New Interior Linemen This Season

Riley Reiff move inside to guard, the Vikings thing to go to.

Both Garrett Bradbury and Dru Samia are very good zone run blockers, which is the run scheme the Vikings will use, which sets them up to be early starters. Moreover, drafting guys that will not have a big position shift (Samia may be to switch sides at guard though).

Given that, the Vikings new offensive line

LT: Riley Reiff | LG: Dru Samia | C: Garrett Bradbury | RG: Josh Kline | RT: Brian O'Neil

– Elsevier Patterson, Brett Jones, and Aviante Collins. Collins could be a potential swing tackle candidate as well.

Overall, the offensive line looks the most primed for improvement in many years.

Tight End Position Group Pretty Solid Looks

Contrary to speculation, I think the Vikings keep Kyle Rudolph, and maybe even extend him. Having Rudolph and newly drafted TE Irv Smith Jr. in double tight-end sets makes a lot of sense in Kubiak's scheme, as they are both receiving threats and Smith can be moved around as an H-back type guy – in-line TE, slot, backfield or out wide. Smith is a good blocker so that works on running plays as well. With David Morgan and Tyler Conklin # 3 and # 4, that's a pretty solid group overall. Smith's skill set both supplements and adds another dimension to the Vikings TE group.

I would not be in the least bit more than a couple of years ago, but I would like to know more about it. . Among the top 3-4 tight-ends in the draft this year, Smith may be the best fit, outside of maybe Hockenson.

Mattison Looks Like A Good Replacement For Murray

RB Alexander Mattison, who gets the Vikings picked up the end of the 3rd round, combines power with elusiveness. He's capable of being a 3-down bell-cow too he has good ability to get out of the backfield. But where is most effective in the money situations – in the red zone and 3rd down. He has a high rate of attempts that turn into first downs or touchdowns.

And like Murray, he should be able to rotate with Dalvin Cook in any situation, which should help keep Cook healthy and fresh.

Day 3 Picks Most Likely To Make The Final Roster

I think we're going to see this one of the defensive picks – we can not wait to pick up the final roster. The most likely candidates:

• Cameron Smith. If he can do it, he could make the team and even become the primary backup. He graduated from USC.

• Olabisi Johnson. He's a lot like Adam Thielen in measurable and character. And he could end up making the team Thielen did – as a special teamer (both gunners and punt returner) and promising receiver. Dillon Mitchell has more flash, but also more drops and questions about his work ethic and ability to take coaching. Not sure he adds much to a special teamer, which makes his path to make the team more difficult.

• Austin Cutting. It seems his biggest obstacle to making the team is his Air Force service commitment. Apparently he's the Michael Jordan of long snappers, with rifle-like velocity, spin and accuracy. Some think spending pick 250 of 254 we have a first long snapper at foolish extravagance, but apparently the Broncos were poised to sign him as a UDFA, so Spielman sniped him with his last pick. For those who are curious, there is precedent for this type of pick. Bill Belichick spent a 5th round pick (# 166) on a long snapper from the Naval Academy in 2015 with the same service commitment issue. He's been their long snapper ever since.

New Coaches Got Their Guys

It's also clear that the Vikings indulged their new coaches with top draft picks:

• Gary Kubiak and Kevin Stefanski got the first pick picks

• Rick Dennison got three new offensive linemen
• Brian Pariani got a new tight-end
• Drew Petzing got two new wide receivers
• New special teams coach Marwan Maalouf got a long-snapper
• Even QB coach Klint Kubiak got something – UDFA QB Jake Browning.

Overall

Overall the Vikings look to have their most

• The offensive line interior has been upgraded with the addition of Bradbury and Samia
• Alexander Mattison should work as a replacement for Latavius ​​Murray
• Irv Smith Jr. should prove a valuable addition to a position in Kubiak's offense

Sheldon Richardson – Armon Watts is not an immediate starter. But there are a couple veterans Andre Patterson has been developing that could be ready to step up to a starting defensive tackle role. We'll see.

Beyond that, we'll have to see you for the rest of the world.