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Final mock from me ... and no pre-draft CB trade this time.

On my final mock of the season, I am going to go without any pre-draft trades for players (like a cornerback trade to get cap space and a pick in the top 50). Instead I will focus on the draft, and my focus in the draft will be offensive line. To me, the Vikings have treated the offensive line like a weak campfire they can keep going with tiny sticks. And the results have killed several recent promising seasons.

It's time to resist the shiny toys at sexier positions and sink their teeth into the offensive line. If they

hit on their OL picks and (combined with a very respected OL staff) produce a markedly upgraded OL, I think every piece on the offense will feel the effects, most notably Kirk Cousins, their largest investment. Best in a play-action environment, Cousins would thrive with a line that can run the ball without the necessity of gimmicks or surprise. A unified unit that can pass protect and run the ball even when the defense is expecting it. Imagine passing to Diggs, Thielen, Cook and Rudolph with that kind of balance. One of the best play action QBs in the NFL (PFF's label, not mine) would suddenly get to enjoy the threat of the run to support play action.

Vikings fans and pundits seem fixated on whether the Vikings can land one of the top tackles at 18. If one fell, sure, I can get on board with that. But no to tradeups. And outside of Jonah Williams, who I expect will be gone by 18, I think I prefer the option of picking from either the best center in the draft (Bradbury) or the best guard in the draft (Lindstrom) at 18, and perhaps even in a tradeback.

Trade pick 18 to PIT for pick 20 and pick 122 (round 4)

When pick 18 arrives, Spielman sees two blue-chip interior line targets still on the board and decides he can stomach the risk of a small tradeback that nets the Vikings some capital in round 4, in a draft where rounds 3-4 are likely to be very productive. It helps reduce the pain of having no fifth-round pick. And they move a little back to still get the top player at one of their positions of need. That in itself is a big OL investment for this team, but they should (and I think will) target a second OL in the first four rounds who could potentially provide two starters through the draft, which they need given their pedestrian interior OL options right now (Kline? Meh).

Draft picks after trade with PIT:

Rd 1 (20)
Rd 2 (50)
Rd 3 (81)
Rd 4 (120, 122)
Rd 5 (none)
Rd 6 (190, 209)
Rd 7 (247, 250)

Round 1 (20 overall): Garrett Bradbury, OC, NC State

This pick seems too easy to me. For one, the Vikings were heavily rumored to be targeting Arkansas center Frank Ragnow in last year's draft before the unexpected OL run. That tells you they can envision a move of Pat Elflein to guard, which as we all know was a position he played at Ohio State (and if you put stock into college PFF scores, he was better at guard than center at Ohio State). Strong and athletic, Bradbury would come aboard knowing outside zone blocking like the back of his hand. The only question is whether he can be had later, but after last year's run on OL, the Vikings accept the risk of a short tradedown to pick up a fourth-rounder and take the best interior offensive lineman in this draft who is ready to start day 1.

It's entirely possible the Vikings do get the hoped-for breakout from Elflein, but even if they do, Bradbury is still the best interior OL in this draft. But what if you don't get that breakout? There is a lot riding on this season. Strategy of hoping Elflein breaks out at a key position after two poor seasons (albeit injury-affected) isn't sound.

Round 2 (50 overall): J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford

If the Vikings truly can revamp their offensive line to be able to support a play action strategy, they would do well to upgrade their WR3 spot, which plagued them in 2018 with the continued underperformance of Laquon Treadwell. Arcega-Whiteside is a power receiver who lacks elite speed but still would clock in faster than Treadwell. 6-2, 225 and ran a 4.49 at his pro day ... sign me up even if he's closer to 4.55 (inflated pro day). The Vikings were looking for an 'X' receiver with Treadwell. They find one with Arcega-Whiteside, who is a load to handle with single coverage and a red zone stud with top-shelf ball skills and body control.

Round 3 (81 overall): Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston

I went into this thinking Round 3 was the sweet spot for the second OL pick. And with Waynes kept in this scenario, CB doesn't have nearly the need as if he left. But the Vikings see Johnson fall to 81 and see a future starter -- and that is value with Waynes or Rhodes likely not both being in MIN in 2020. Talented corner with size and length who runs a 4.4, this is an easy pick this late. I'm always more comfortable drafting for talent over need anyway. OT is a thought here but multiple OTs are on the board still and Spielman sees big dropoff at CB after Johnson, and gambles on one of his OT targets falling close to 120.

Round 4 (120 overall): **TRADE**
(MIN trades pick 120, 2020 fourth-round pick to SF for pick 104)
Round 4 (104 overall): Bobby Evans, OT, Oklahoma

As day 3 starts, the Vikings have identified their target in round 4 and realize he likely won't last until pick 120. The Vikings see Evans as a possible starter in year 1 but mostly a year 2 guy to replace Reiff's contract after this season. Very athletic with the length a team wants in a tackle, Evans provides a possibility of moving Brian O'Neill to LT and Riley Reiff inside to guard if the rookie has a good camp.

Powerful, athletic tackle with right tackle mentality to finish his blocks. The offensive line rebuild is complete, and the Vikings have a talented center to go with young, athletic bookend tackles. Guards will be a competition between Elflein, Kline and possibly Reiff and Isidora. With expected comp picks coming in 2020, the Vikings can justify spending a 2020 4th to move up for Evans.

Round 4 (122 overall): **TRADE**
(MIN trades picks 122, 209 to NYG for picks 132, 171)
Round 4 (132 overall): Daniel Wise, DT, Kansas

By round 4, you are looking for overlooked or small-school players who fit what you do and could be developed into starter material by a very good DL coach. More penetrator than run-stopper at this point, but there is a need for that skill set on the interior of the line. I would imagine the Vikings would try to add some lower-body strength to round out his skill set. But the effort, pass rush moves are there to add diversity to the DL.

Round 5 (171 overall): Germaine Pratt, LB, NC State

By this point, the Vikings are monitoring athletes who might have fallen a bit. Pratt's inexperience as a starter in college could make him fall. But his athleticism, size and his ability to cover (former safety) will surely catch Zimmer's eye. Sub-package guy who won't be much of a threat to replace Kendricks or Barr in year 1, Pratt adds needed athleticism to the LB group's depth, which is pretty pedestrian aside from Eric Wilson (Brothers, Gedeon). At 6-2, 245, you get a LB who can cover without sacrificing size. Tight end coverage and pursuit tackling could be his niche year 1 aside from special teams.

Round 6 (190 overall): Ryquell Armstead, RB, Temple

Big, physical one-cut runner with speed (4.45 40) who diversifies the RB group. Lacking technique in pass pro, which will limit him. But gives you aggression and power that the RB group lacks right now. Will need to work on pass protection, and unfortunately not a factor at Temple in the pass game. But at pick 190 …

Round 7 (247 overall): Diontae Johnson, WR/PR, Toledo

Small-school playmaker with versatility who is drafted here to harness his abilities as a return specialist and possible eventual contributor in the slot on offense. Line from one capsule caught my eye: "Has ‘look out!’ talent with the ball in his hands."

Round 7 (250 overall): Easton Stick, QB, North Dakota State

Yearly developmental QB who would be a nice get with a pick this late.

Summary:

Rick Spielman took a big step to keeping his defense together by retaining Barr with a large offseason contract. He looks to the draft to build up the offense with the additions of Bradbury, Evans, and Arcega-Whiteside with three of their top four picks.

The Vikings still have holes but all teams do. The key is how well you do your best things well. For the Vikings that is:

- Defense: cover and rush the passer

- Offense: play action (now that OL has improved) and spread the ball

If the Vikings can max out their ability to hurt teams with their core skill set on both sides of the ball, they will do more than enough to cover their deficiencies at DT and TE.

Speaking of TE, I would have liked to have dipped into a deep TE class. It would be tempting to go with Noah Fant in round 1. But that is the pick that would only sharpen the focus on the lack of OL: "All these talented receivers and we can’t get the ball to them????" No, because your QB got sacked again.

I am very excited about this team in 2020 and long term. Lots of young talent, and less anxiety about OL ruining an otherwise talented roster. Kirk Cousins? Well, with pass protection and an ability to actually run the ball, maybe you get the version of him from the first half of the season in 2020. I can't speak to how he plays in big games that come down to a single possession. But at least he has all he needs now.

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.