Minnesota Vikings: Reviewing the 2016 NFL Draft

For the Minnesota Vikings, now that the NFL Draft is over, we can look back and review the 2016 draft as a whole.

We went into this year’s draft with eight draft picks. One in every round, 1 through 7, and had two picks in that final round. Over this “mock draft season” we saw 95% of analysts were calling for the Vikings to select a wide receiver in the first round. Norv Turner was looking for his new “Michael Irvin” type X receiver.

Rick Spielman did his homework and was at all the pro days of this year’s top WR prospects, and he was often the first one there to get a prime position to study and get some interaction with these kids. Mississippi for LaQuon Treadwell, Baylor for Corey Coleman, TCU for Josh Doctson, and Ohio State for Michael Thomas.

In the first round, the first wide receiver to come off the board was Corey Coleman of Baylor. Next, Houston traded up to get Will Fuller, another speedster from Notre Dame. That left Josh Doctson of TCU and LaQuon Treadwell of Ole Miss. Washington selected Doctson. As it ended up, the widely known number one WR in the class, fell right into Spielman, and the Vikings lap.

With the 23rd pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected LaQuon Treadwell, a wide receiver from Ole Miss. Treadwell is a big-bodied wide receiver, that has a very large catching radius and what Mike Zimmer said, “the best blocking wide receiver prospect he has seen in years.”

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With speed being his knock after a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, Treadwell’s power and burstt at the line of scrimmage are how he gets open. He is a perfect fit with Teddy Bridgewater, and a chain mover and red-zone threat. He will get an opportunity for playing time right away as a rookie. With pro comparisons to Anquan Boldin, Deandre Hopkins, and Dez Bryant, this kid will be something special.

With the 54th pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Mackensie Alexander, CB from Clemson. I know everyone’s first reaction was “Wait, what? Another CB?” As the Vikings selected Trae Waynes in the first round, just a year ago. Alexander was simply the best shutdown, cover corner in college football last year. This was simply a ‘Best Player Available” selection. He has first round talent.

In today’s NFL, you need to have 3 good corner backs and with the upcoming free agency of Captain Munnerlyn and the free agency or possible retirement of Terrance Newman, the Vikings are looking to the future with this pick also.He is projected to play “Nickel Corner,” which is Munnerlyn’s position. I am sure that he will be a rotational backup, and see plenty of playing time in 2016.

Rick Spielman has always been known to move around in the draft as a GM. He has been quoted to have ten picks in each draft. This year we had 8. After getting two nice prospects out of our first two selections, and staying put, the Minnesota Vikings traded their 3 round pick, selection 86, to the Miami Dolphins. In return, they received 2017 Round 6 pick, selection 186, and a 3rd round and 4th round pick in 2017. With this trade, Rick showed patience to get his investment back next year but gave himself ammunition to move around a lot next year. We have 9 selections in 2017.

With the 121st pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Willie Beavers, Left Tackle from Western Michigan. With the uncertainty at the tackle position, this selection made sense. A lot of fans were probably thinking like I was; that the Vikings were going to select Andrew Billings, Defensive tackle from Baylor, who early had some first round grades and slipped to the end of round 4.

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They went for some insurance as Matt Khalil, Phil Loadholt, and newcomer Andre Smith, are all free agents next season. Interesting prospect, as he is still raw. Still a lot of room for him to fine tune his craft. He is projected to kick inside to guard.

With the 160th pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Kentrell Brothers, MLB from Missouri. This was a good value pick in the 5th round. Most analysts have a 3rd round grade on Brothers.

He slipped due to a mediocre combine, but he jumps off the tape. Leading the SEC in impact tackles last year, Brothers could play middle linebacker, and Eric Kendricks could slide back to the outside, where he excels. With this being Chad Greenways last year, this pick was not an immediate need, but Spielman again looks to the future.

In the sixth round, the Vikings had two selections. With the 180th pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Moritz Boehringer, Wide Reciever from Germany. This kid has all the measurables. Being 6ft 4inches and 223 pounds, while running a 4.43 40 yard dash, and having a 39inch vertical. MVP of the German Football League yet the competition is a step behind. If he can learn the craft and work hard, we will see what he becomes.

To me, this was more of a PR stunt. Helps the NFL and the Vikings get a lot of good press, and increase international following. I do not see him making the final roster. Hopefully, he can be stashed on the practice squad. After some moving around and eventual trade back up a few spots, with the 188th pick of the 2016 NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected David Morgan, a Tight end from University of Texas San Antonio.

An All-American, and known for his blocking skills and great hands, he is kept as insurance in case of injuries flaring back up for Vikings tight end corps.

In the seventh round, the Vikings also had two selections. With the 227th pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Stephen Weatherby, Defensive End from Vanderbilt. Another project for Mike Zimmer and his defensive philosophy. Weatherby has all the measurables.

The Minnesota Vikings have done well in the past on raw, athletic projects. With the 244th pick of the NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Jayron Kearse, Safety from Clemson. Another member of the National Championship runner-up Clemson Tigers secondary, Kearse is another raw prospect.

The nephew of Javon Kearse, he has the measurables that Mike Zimmer looks for in his defensive backs. The Vikings are betting on their coaching staff with these 7th round picks. Both have insane athleticism and are very raw, similar to last years Danielle Hunter.

In conclusion, the Minnesota Vikings had another strong draft. Addressing a combination of needs and best player available. Building this team piece by piece through the draft and free agency for the last few years, there are not many glaring needs or holes left on this roster. We will have to wait a couple years before we can judge this class, but initially, I would give the Vikings 2016 draft class a B+.

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There were a few spots where I thought I might have looked at different prospects, but that is why I am not an NFL GM. I trust the process. The Minnesota Vikings have one of the best front offices and coaching staffs in the NFL. I am excited to see what comes from this year’s class, and who steps up and makes an impact on the 2016 season.

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