Drafting OL in the first round is boring but necessary for Vikings

It’s mock draft season again and this year, nearly every media outlet covering the NFL has the Vikings taking an offensive lineman in the first round of the 2018 mock draft. Will they be correct? 

It’s that time of year again folks. The big name free agents have signed, the combine is in the rear view mirror and the pro days are all but completed. It’s NFL draft season. This year the Vikings will be looking to add depth to a number of positions via the draft, most notably at offensive line. If the majority of mock drafts are to be believed, the Vikings will be selecting an o-lineman in the first round.

Drafting offensive lineman early in the draft, when done correctly can lay the groundwork for consistent production and protection at that position for five to ten years (example: Dallas Cowboys). When done poorly, you are left hoping for enough health to compete and enough effort to camouflage lack of interest (example: Matt Kalil). It makes sense for the Vikings to draft lineman high in the draft, given their starting skill position players are all potential All-Pros and all under 30 years old.

Next: Offseason workout schedule released

The last time there were this many mock drafts in agreement on the Vikings first round selection, the player was Trae Waynes and the Vikings obviously wound up taking him. This season, there have been a number of mock draft linking the Vikings to Billy Price, but after he tore a pectoral muscle at the combine, a number of outlets have swapped Price out for a different lineman. This OL pick might be a boring pick for the fans, but its one that the Vikings have to make.