Poll: Which Position should the Vikings Take with Pick 11?

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It seems like everyone has the ideal plan figured out for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. Admittedly, it’s going to be a lot easier to build a team around a quarterback than to build a team with no quarterback, which has been the case in recent years. It’s unfortunate we aren’t watching the Vikings in the playoffs, yes. But come April 30th, we won’t feel so badly. There are going to be some awesome players on the board when the Vikings hit the clock at pick 11.

Let’s look at some possible positions and candidates.

Offensive Tackle

Phil Loadholt, you don’t have anything to worry about. It’s the other side of the line that is causing some concern. I’ve gone on record saying we should stick it out with Matt Kalil, but many thought his performance was too disastrous this year. David Yankee was a 5th round pick who saw no action in 2014, so if Kalil goes sour again, I wouldn’t mind giving him a look.

Top Candidates:

Brandon Scherff – Iowa – 6’5″ 320 pounds – Projected 6th overall

Adrus Peat – Stanford – 6’7″ 312 pounds – Projected 11th overall

La’el Collins – LSU – 6’5″ 321 pounds – Projected 16th overall

Offensive Guard

There is almost no doubt it my mind Charlie Johnson will not be the starter at left guard in 2015. Regressing has been a trend for him lately and I don’t foresee a breakout year at age 31. The Vikings would be better off waiting until the second round, but it is a position of dire need none-the-less. You might start to notice a theme here: we’ve got to help out Teddy Bridgewater.

Top Candidates:

A.J. Cann – South Carolina – 6’3″ 311 pounds – Projected 42nd overall

Josue Matias – Florida State – 6’6″ 325 – Projected 66th overall

Linebacker

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With the 9th pick in the 2014 draft, the Vikings selected Anthony Barr, the perfect linebacker for Zimmer’s scheme. Now, they have to find his running mate or “mike” linebacker. Whoever is brought in will be competing with Gerald Hodges for the starting role, unless Chad Greenway returns. I think Audie Cole can step in at the middle position when the Vikings get into their base defense (3 linebackers). When they move into a nickel defense in passing situations, the linebacker position becomes even more important. So important, it might be worth the first round pick in April.

Top Candidates:

Vic Beasley – Clemson – 6’2″ 235 pounds – Projected 9th overall

Shaq Thompson – Washington – 6’2″ 231 pounds – Projected 10th overall

Dante Fowler Jr. – Florida – 6’2″ 261 pounds – Projected 14th overall

Eric Kendricks (2nd round) – UCLA – 6’0″ 230 pounds – Projected 59th overall (Barr’s former teammate)

Wide Receiver

There’s something to be said for drafting an all-american wide receiver and letting him build chemistry with Teddy. If so, we can’t neglect that fact that some unwanted changes will have to be made. Every single roster spot is crucial. Of the current rostered wide-outs, Greg Jennings, Adam Thielen, Cordarrelle Patterson, Jarius Wright and Charles Johnson, I think only Wright and Johnson are safe from cuts or trades. So if you are a fan protesting for wide receiver, don’t forget you have to pick one to get rid of, too!

That said, this is a really nice WR draft class, just like last year.

Top Candidates:

Amari Cooper – Alabama – 6’1″ 210 pounds – Projected 5th overall

DeVante Parker – Louisville – 6’3″ 209 pounds – Projected 12th overall (Bridgewater’s former teammate)

Kevin White – West Virginia – 6’3″ 210 pounds – Projected 15th overall

Running Back

There are a lot of different ways the Vikings can fix the running back position. If they’re going to take one in the first round, this isn’t a bad year to do it. This wouldn’t be my choice because there are other viable options at this position and plenty of other needs with the pick. However, trading back deeper into the first round and picking up Melvin Gordon is something they should look into.

But let’s be real here. Who doesn’t want to watch the show that Adrian Peterson and Jerick McKinnon would put on in 2015?

Top Candidates:

Melvin Gordon – Wisconsin – 6’1″ 207 pounds – Projected 22nd overall

Todd Gurley – Georgia – 6’1″ 227 pounds – Projected 35th overall

Ameer Abdullah – Nebraska – 5’9″ 195 pounds – Projected 44th overall

My Choice: I would pick a wide receiver 11th in the 2015 draft. Unless Amari Cooper falls, it will likely be DeVante Parker or Kevin White. Neither of which is a bad option. If I had to guess, we will be seeing Bridgewater to Parker again in purple, instead of Louisville red.

I had a tough time choosing between receiver and linebacker and would be happy with either. But it’s crucial to surround Teddy with weapons to build his confidence. I’d like to see Chad Greenway restructure his deal and play next season.

Next: The Vicious Cycle Killing the Timberwolves

Dec 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman speaks along the sidelines before the game with the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

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