We haven't even hit 2015 yet, but we're already getting the first mock drafts of the year. Sure, there have been some folks doing them for months, but today we've got some mocks from some of the bigger names in the draft world to take a look at.
One comes from Todd McShay of ESPN.com, who has the Vikings taking an offensive lineman with the #11 pick in the first round. That player is Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi, a 6'5", 300-pound offensive tackle.
Yes, tackle. The draft is behind the E$PN paywall, but here is McShay's rationale behind the pick.
This is probably a little earlier than Ogbuehi should go based on where I have him graded right now, due to some of his inconsistencies this season, but offensive tackles with his talent have a tendency to rise during the draft process and don't last long on the board. He needs to become more polished, but he has size, long arms and quick feet, and he'd upgrade the Vikings at right tackle.
That last little bit is the part that has me a little confused. Although it didn't seem like Phil Loadholt was having a great season prior to his injury, it seems that right tackle is the least of the Minnesota Vikings' problems along the offensive line. McShay has a (projected) interior lineman in Iowa's Brandon Scherff going at the pick just before Minnesota's, and another projected guard in LSU's La'El Collins going down at #27.
Over at CBS Sports, their two main draftniks. . .Dane Brugler and Rob Rang. . .both have the Vikings addressing the wide receiver position at #11 overall, but with two different players. Rang has the Vikings tabbing Alabama's standout wide receiver, Amari Cooper. Brugler, on the other hand, as the Vikings reuniting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with his favorite target from Louisville, receiver Devante Parker.
Obviously, players are going to rise and fall, and the Vikings' draft position could very well change between now and the end of the season (hopefully they will be picking lower than #11). But those are a couple of preliminary hacks for now. What do you think? Do you agree with any of the three picks presented here?