Welcome to either the second-to-last or third-to-last version of this year's Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Database, ladies and gentlemen. There will definitely be one of these next Saturday, and I may or may not be able to bang one out on draft day as well, but we'll have to see how things go when the time comes.
For this week's Database, I did a little bit of cleaning and dumped a bunch of mock drafts that hadn't been updated in a long time from our listing of 100 drafts. Basically, if a site hadn't updated their mock in the past calendar month, they got kicked out of the proverbial pool. I'll probably follow the same sort of guideline for next week's update as well. The oldest mock in this week's Database is dated 21 March, with 82 of our 100 mocks having been updated since the first of April. These drafts aren't done by "big name" experts or anything, but for the most part these folks have done quite a bit of research in the draft world and have taken the time to put their thoughts on the matter together.
With that, here is our list of mock drafts for this time around.
Site | Name | Date | Round 1 (23) | Round 2 (54) | Round 3 (86) |
Alpha Football | Staff | 15-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State | |
Baltimore Sun | Mark Selig | 15-Apr | William Jackson III, CB, Houston | ||
Campus Insiders | Pete Fiutak | 15-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | ||
Detroit Free Press | Dave Birkett | 15-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
DraftTek | Consensus | 15-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech | John Theus, OT, Georgia |
Forbes | Michael Schottey | 15-Apr | Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State | ||
New NFL Draft | Staff | 15-Apr | Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama | ||
NFL.com | Bucky Brooks | 15-Apr | Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State | ||
NFL.com | Charles Davis | 15-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
NFL.com | Chad Reuter | 15-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | ||
NFL.com | Charley Casserley | 15-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | ||
SI.com | Chris Burke | 15-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Vikings Territory | Carl Knowles | 15-Apr | Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State | ||
Walter Football | Walter Cherepinsky | 15-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State | Sean Davis, S, Maryland |
24/7 Sports | Luke Rogers | 14-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Bigfoot Sports | Staff | 14-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Black Sports Online | Kel Dansby | 14-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
CBS Sports | Dane Brugler | 14-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | ||
CBS Sports | Rob Rang | 14-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
CBS Sports | Will Brinson | 14-Apr | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | ||
CBS Sports | Pete Prisco | 14-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | ||
CBS Sports | Jared Dubin | 14-Apr | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | ||
NESN | Nicholas Goss | 14-Apr | Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh | ||
NFL.com | Daniel Jeremiah | 14-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | ||
NFL.com | Lance Zierlein | 14-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Ourlads | Staff | 14-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | ||
Read American Football | David Howell | 14-Apr | Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State | ||
San Diego Union-Tribune | Eddie Brown | 14-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Vadal Alexander, G, Louisiana State | John Theus, OT, Georgia |
The Score | Dan Wilkins | 14-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | ||
The Sports Bank | Paul Banks | 14-Apr | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | ||
Tony's Take | Staff | 14-Apr | Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State | ||
USA Today | Nate Davis | 14-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Vikings Territory | Brett Anderson | 14-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
We Talk Fantasy Sports | Michael Lott | 14-Apr | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | ||
Draft Season | Lupagus | 13-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Su'a Cravens, LB, Southern California | |
Sports Unbiased | Adam Solowiei | 13-Apr | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | ||
Breaking the Shield | Staff | 12-Apr | Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor | ||
Draft Examiner | Staff | 12-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
ESPN | Todd McShay | 12-Apr | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | Deion Jones, LB, Louisiana State | Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State |
Fanspeak | Steve Shoup | 12-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Huddle Report | Drew Boylhart | 12-Apr | Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor | ||
New York Post | Steve Serby | 12-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
The Big Lead | Jason McIntyre | 12-Apr | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | Su'a Cravens, LB, Southern California | |
Vikings Territory | Austin Belisle | 12-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Detroit Jock City | Austin Smith | 11-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Draft Ace | Ryan McCrystal | 11-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Deion Jones, LB, Louisiana State | C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame |
Mock Draft Central | Nick | 11-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Music City Miracles | Terry Lambert | 11-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | Jeremy Cash, S, Duke | |
SB Nation | Dan Kadar | 11-Apr | Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State | ||
Walter Football | Charlie Campbell | 11-Apr | Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor | Darian Thompson, S, Boise State | Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State |
EDS Football | Kevin Hanson | 10-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn | |
National Fanatic | James Fedewa | 9-Apr | Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State | Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia | David Perkins, DE, Illinois State |
Draft King | Lou Pickney | 8-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Guy's NFL Draft Locker Room | Guy Pritchard | 8-Apr | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | ||
Mac's Sports and Suds | Doc | 8-Apr | Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor | ||
Sporting News | Eric Galko | 8-Apr | Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State | ||
Draft Board Guru | Doug Martz | 7-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Draft Preview | Staff | 7-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Football Draft Analysis | Staff | 7-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State | |
Football Insiders | John Owning | 7-Apr | Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State | ||
Huddle Report | Robbie Esch | 7-Apr | Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State | Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State | Vadal Alexander, G, Louisiana State |
Draft Season | Ultimate | 6-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Darian Thompson, S, Boise State | |
Draft Wire | Jonah Tuls | 6-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Christian Westerman, G, Arizona State | |
ESPN | Mel Kiper | 6-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Football Fan Spot | Staff | 6-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State | T.J. Green, S, Clemson |
Pro Football Focus | Steve Palazzolo | 6-Apr | Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State | Jeremy Cash, S, Duke | C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame |
Vikings Territory | Adam Warwas | 6-Apr | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | ||
Draft Season | Onebar | 5-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State | |
Draft Utopia | Chris Ransom | 5-Apr | Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State | Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State | Jordan Payton, WR, UCLA |
My NFL Draft | Staff | 5-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
BFLO360 | BFLO | 4-Apr | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | ||
DC Pro Sports Report | Thomas Threlkeld | 4-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Skyscraper Sports | A.J. Milack | 3-Apr | William Jackson III, CB, Houston | ||
Chicago Tribune | Brad Biggs | 2-Apr | Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State | ||
Houston Chronicle | Aaron Wilson | 2-Apr | Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State | ||
Houston Chronicle | John McClain | 2-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Great Blue North | Staff | 1-Apr | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford | Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State |
Sleeper U | Staff | 1-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
The Game Haus | Joey Heisman | 1-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Walter Football | Consensus | 1-Apr | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Yahoo! Shutdown Corner | Eric Edholm | 1-Apr | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M | |
Draft Countdown | Scott Wright | 31-Mar | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia | Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State |
Draft Site | D.J. Boyer | 31-Mar | Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State | John Theus, OT, Georgia | Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State |
Mock Draft HQ | Staff | 30-Mar | Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State | ||
Behind the Steel Curtain | big_jay71 | 29-Mar | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi | Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State | Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State |
Breaking the Shield | Zach | 29-Mar | Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor | ||
NFL Mock | Staff | 29-Mar | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Su'a Cravens, LB, Southern California | Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech |
Breaking Football | Jonathan Valencia | 28-Mar | Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State | Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford | Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh |
College Football Metrics | Xavier Cromartie | 28-Mar | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | T.J. Green, S, Clemson | Joshua Garrett, G, Stanford |
Fantasy Football Starters | Staff | 28-Mar | Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor | ||
Fox Sports | Peter Schrager | 28-Mar | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
NFL.com | Ike Taylor | 28-Mar | Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor | ||
Pride of Detroit | Chris Lemieux/Alex Reno | 28-Mar | Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor | ||
Riggo's Rag | Maurice Barksdale | 28-Mar | Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor | ||
Fantasy Football Auction | Staff | 25-Mar | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | ||
Five Foot Nothing Sports | Coach K | 25-Mar | Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State | Austin Johnson, DE, Penn State | |
NFL Spin Zone | Dan Schmelzer | 25-Mar | Josh Doctson, WR, Texas Christian | Su'a Cravens, LB, Southern California | Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State |
Sports Giggles | Charlie3317 | 24-Mar | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | ||
Roto Professor | Eric Stashin | 23-Mar | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame | ||
NFL.com | Maurice Jones-Drew | 21-Mar | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame |
With the removal of some of the older mock drafts in the Database, the discrepancy between the most popular position for the Minnesota Vikings to select among draftniks and the rest of the field has gotten even greater.
As it stands right now, we are up to a full 87% of mock drafts that are projecting the Minnesota Vikings to select a wide receiver with the 23rd pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Basically seven out of every eight mock drafts have the purple selecting a new target for Teddy Bridgewater twelve days from now. That's a ridiculously huge consensus, but not one that you can say is entirely baseless, to be certain.
Josh Doctson of Texas Christian continues to lap the field in the wide receiver hierarchy, as he racked up 42% of the selections in our Database this week. The other five wide receivers in the Database combined for 45 selections, so you can see the level of domination Doctson is at right now. Will Fuller of Notre Dame has reclaimed second place, as he moved from 12% in last week's Database to 14% this week. Mississippi receiver Laquon Treadwell had a slight drop this week, going from 14% down to 13%. Michael Thomas of THE. . .dramatic pause. . .Ohio State University saw a bit of a renaissance this week. After garnering just 4% of the selections in last week's Database, he's up to 9% this week. That puts him ahead of Baylor's Corey Coleman, who dropped a percentage point from last week down to 8%. Tyler Boyd of Pittsburgh has, inexplicably, held on to his one selection once again. He has consistently been backed by the folks from NESN, and they even updated their projection a couple of days ago. They must really like him a lot, I guess.
The offensive linemen took a huge hit this week, as they picked up just 5% of the selections this week after grabbing 10% last week. Both Ohio State tackle Taylor Decker and Kansas State guard Cody Whitehair came in with 2% of the selections this week, while Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin picked up just 1%.
Those five selections were a big enough hit to drop the offensive linemen down into a tie with the linebackers. Darron Lee of Ohio State took a slight drop this week, falling from six picks last Saturday to just 4% today. Alabama inside backer Reggie Ragland held on to 1% of the selections.
Defensive backs have fallen all the way to 2% in our Database this week, and both of those selections belong to Houston cornerback William Jackson III. Ohio State safety Vonn Bell fell out of the Database for this week.
Last, but not least, Baylor defensive tackle Andrew Billings held things down for the defensive linemen in this week's Database, holding steady with one selection from last week.
Debuting This Week: None
Dropping Out This Week: Vonn Bell
So, that brings us on to the visuals for this week. Unless you're a big fan of the color purple. . .the actual color, not the book. . .there really isn't a whole lot else to be seen on either one of them. We'll start, as always, with the Donut Graph to reflect what things look like in this week's Database only.
If it's a little difficult for you to see, you can see the full-sized version at this link here.
Finally, we wrap things up with the "Jell-o Salad" graph that shows how things have been trending for the different players in our Database from the Pre-Combine version up to this week's update.
Once again, you can see an enlarged version of the graph by checking out the link here.
Overall thus far, we've tracked 23 different players being selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 23rd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. At the present time, only 13 of those 23 players are in our most recent update, while ten of them have dropped out after their initial appearance in the Mock Draft Database for this year.
That's this week's update, ladies and gentlemen! We will be back here once again with Version 9.0 next Saturday, and (hopefully) Version 10.0 on Draft Day or the day before.