Operation Offense: NFL Combine Provides Weapons That Vikings Need
With the combine beginning this week, the Minnesota Vikings can begin their road to redemption at the combine. While they can’t make any selections yet, there are plenty of players to keep an eye on. Minnesota should consider themselves pretty lucky as most of their positional needs will come from deep groups of prospects. If you don't pay attention to the college game, it can be difficult to know who is who and who you need to watch. Today, we break down a list of needs for the Vikings and players that fans can follow.
If you're not sure where the Vikings pick in the NFL draft, here is a look at where the Vikings will select. Some of the picks have yet to be finalized, but you can at least get an idea of where they will be. Now, to the positional needs (all information was taken from CBS Sports).
Boone is the one bright spot returning. Who will join him?
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OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Unless you have been avoiding social media or any type of contact with the sports world, this need is by far the most obvious and glaring. Minnesota struggled immensely keeping players healthy and getting consistent play up front. Only one spot is believed to be a lock (guard Alex Boone), but the other four are up for grabs. The Vikings can still sign Matt Khalil and Andre Smith if they choose, but even if they do, this will be a high need going into the draft and free agency. Here are a bunch of names you will hear and can pay attention to during the combine.
Center Ethan Pocic, LSU (6-6, 307)----Pocic is the highest rated center and is projected to go in the second round. Minnesota probably wouldn't reach for a center with their pick in this round, but Pocic definitely is difficult to miss with his size at the position.
Center Pat Elflein, Ohio State (6-2, 300)----Elflein moved around the line during his career at Ohio State, but he may have found his best position in his final year. Elflein is the second best center, and is projected to fall when the Vikings third round pick arrives. He may not be as big as the other two centers listed, but he will still be a solid pick.
Center Jon Toth, Kentucky (6-5, 308)----Size-wise, Toth gives Pocic a run for his money. Should the Vikings pass on both Pocic and Elflein (which wouldn't be surprising), Toth could be a great later round selection. Projected to go in either rounds five or six, he could be a valuable selection on Day 3.
Guard Dan Feeney, Inidiana (6-4, 304)----Feeney and the next man listed will constantly fluctuate on draft boards, so an impressive combine will go a long way in winning that battle. Feeney has been a stud at guard for the Hoosiers, and prospect Devine Redding as well as Chicago Bears RB Jordan Howard can speak to Feeney's dominance. He is projected to be a late first/early second round pick, so the Vikings may have to move up to get him.
Guard Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky (6-4, 305)----Feeney played better competition overall, but Lamp put his name on the map this season by dominating Conference USA competition. He also benefited immensely from facing nation runner-up Alabama, and faced multiple defensive ends who could get drafted on the first day. Lamp proved he could hold his own against the big boys, and a strong showing at the combine could help him jump into the first round. So, like Feeney, Minnesota may have to trade away some picks to get him if they decide he is their man.
Guard Dorian Johnson, Pittsburgh (6-5, 300)----Projected to go second round when the Vikings select, Johnson is a viable option. He helped Pittsburgh rush for 2,926 yards this season and was a big part of the Panthers offense. The Vikings' run game needs to get back on track in 2017, and Johnson could be a key piece to that goal. If Feeney and Lamp aren't available, Johnson may just fall into Minnesota's lap.
Guard Zach Johnson, North Dakota State (6-4, 346)----Realistically, Minnesota may not select a guard until later in the draft if they don't have offensive tackle figured out. If both Khalil and Smith are signed, they may have flexibility to choose a guard. Johnson is projected to be a seventh round pick at best, but his teammates have shown that FCS players can compete. He would be the next Bison lineman to be drafter after Billy Turner (Dolphins) and Joe Haeg (Colts) were chosen in two of the previous three drafts.
Tackle Garrett Bolles, Utah (6-5, 296)----Until a tackle (or more) are signed to the roster, this has to be the primary focus. Bolles has good size, and can still add more weight to his frame. He is projected to be picked earlier than Minnesota's slot, but they could move up. The top two tackles, Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk and Alabama's Cam Robinson, are projected to be first round picks and may be too high for the Vikings to get.
Tackle Taylor Moton, Western Michigan (6-5, 330)----Moton was an integral part in the Broncos' offense, and was a major contributor for a team that finished the regular season undefeated. Moton's coach (PJ Fleck) came to Minnesota to coach the Gophers, but will he follow his coaches' lead and head west? He is projected to land in the second round, and Minnesota could trade back for more picks and select him.
Tackle Roderick Johnson, Florida State (6-6, 308)----Another player that could let the Vikings trade back, and still get a great option. While scouts think he should have returned for another year in college, he still has the skill to make it in the NFL.
Tackle Antonio Garcia, Troy (6-6, 293)----When watching film, Garcia's athleticism is instantly noticeable. He moves extremely well for a lineman, and that athleticism will catch the attention of multiple teams. Even though he needs to add size, he has the tools that teams will want. Minnesota's third round pick is right around where is he projected to go, but may have to move up to ensure no one else takes him.
Tackle Zach Banner, USC (6-8, 361)----Banner, Toledo's Storm Norton, and UCLA's Conor McDermott (brother of Vikings long snapper Kevin) all are massive tackles at 6'8", and all could be selected in the later rounds. Banner has been working on losing weight to become more agile, but his size will help him out in the meantime. Personally, I'm not sure if I want another Phil Loadholt coming to Minnesota. Don't get me wrong, Loadholt did well in purple and gold, but his career came to screeching halt with injuries.
The biggest question surrounding Peterson is his health and if the Vikes are willing to pay him for his potential.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
RUNNING BACK
Minnesota isn't expected to give Adrian Peterson what he wants, nor should they. With Peterson expected to ask for big money, the Vikings best option is appearing to be drafting a back. This year's class is loaded with talent, and Minnesota can hold off from drafting one until later if they need to do so. Dalvin Cook and Leonard Fournette are out of the question, but there is still plenty of mid-round talent to choose from.
Joe Mixon, Oklahoma (6-1, 226)----Character issues will keep him in the mid-round range, but he is one of the most talented backs entering the draft. If he can convince teams that his rough past is behind him, someone will get a steal in the third round. I'm not sure if the Vikings would take a chance on him, but he can definitely become a big contributor this season.
Marlon Mack, South Florida (5-11, 205)----Relatively unknown coming from USF, Mack's stock could rise at the combine. Mack has great speed, and can producd big runs by slipping defenders. Minnesota would have to acquire a pick or move up to get him, but he could be worth the risk.
Kareem Hunt, Toledo (5-10, 208)----If they don't move up to get Mack, they could wait to get Hunt. That being said, Hunt's stock could rise after the combine. A decent pass catcher, Hunt will have to show he has the same burst as those backs higher than him, but he is a reliable big back. He had a few injuries in 2015 that could be a concern.
Donta Foreman, Texas (6-1, 250)----Foreman's name has coincided with the Vikings for a little while now, and I can see why. He has the ability to shake defenders, which is surprising for someone his size, and also is a big frame which makes him tough to bring down. Ultimately, I don't like how big he is, but he could be a good complement to Jerick McKinnon. Projected to be a fourth round pick, I really hope the Vikings don't move up to get him.
Elijah McGuire, UL-Lafayette (5-10, 212)----McGuire was a focus point for the Ragin Cajuns, and proved he can do it all out of the backfield. A fifth/sixth round projection, McGuire can impress at the combine and could be the back that Minnesota needs.
Joseph is dominant, but will need some help on the interior.
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DEFENSIVE TACKLE
With Shariff Floyd's injured past and a lack of consistency from anyone else, Minnesota should look to add another tackle to the roster. Linval Joseph has nose tackle locked up, but adding talent to defensive tackle should open up space for Joseph to get even better.
Malik McDowell, Michigan State (6-5, 276)----This is a stretch, as McDowell won't be around when the Vikings pick. But he is a freakish athlete and has tremendous power to win battles on the inside. While it probably won't happen, one can dream about adding his talent.
Jaleel Johnson, Iowa (6-3, 309)----Johnson is projected to be around when the Vikings select late in the third round. His athleticism and motor are something the Vikings could use in the pass rush, as they don't really need run stoppers.
Tanzel Smart, Tulane (6-1, 296)----Smart's motor never stops, and he is constantly looking to make plays. Even though he plays inside, he has the quickness and power combination to rush the passer. A fourth round projection could land the Vikings a solid pass rusher inside.
DT Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA (6-3, 320)----With Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks already on the team, Vanderdoes could be the latest Bruin to join the Vikings defense. He will need to produce at the combine and convince teams that he can trim down and stay healthy. His body of work doesn't provide much, and his injured knee could be a concern for teams.
Those three positions are probably the biggest needs for Minnesota heading into the draft and free agency. While there are other needs, those are more depth needs than anything. Here is a look at those positions.
Linebacker depth could be addressed with veteran Chad Greenway at the end of his career. Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks should be locks for their spots, but more depth at the position should be beneficial. Houston's Tyus Bowser (6-2, 244; projected third round), Kansas State's Elijah Lee (6-3, 220; projected third/fourth round), and Louisville's Devonte Fields (6-3, 242; projected fifth round) could all land in Minnesota's hands and contributed to solid group in 2017.
The other position that could use depth is defensive end. Brian Robison is getting towards the end of his career, and with just Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen contributing, another body could be helpful to rotate in. TCU's Josh Carraway (6-3, 241; projected fifth round) could be the highest end that Minnesota considers, but don't expect them to use one of their higher picks on this position.
Lastly, quarterback has been presented as a potential need. With Teddy Bridgewater's future uncertain, Minnesota's depth at the position rides on Sam Bradford. Bridgewater's knee is a huge question mark, so this position may need to be addressed. The only problem is this quarterback class is not deep, so don't expect the Vikings to use a pick on one.
Overall, Minnesota seems to have a simple path towards filling their needs: start with offensive line and go from there. While able to sign Khalil, Smith, and Peterson, General Manager Rick Spielman has plenty of work to do in the offseason. Expect one of those players to sign, or Spielman may also dip into free agency to get a name that will become a starter (most likely on the offensive line). Regardless of what he decides, the combine should have fans excited about potential prospects donning the purple and gold. You should find many of these players on mock drafts and projected selections going to Minnesota, so keep an eye on them this week.
