NFL Draft Order: Vikings spot finalized

With the divisional round of the NFL playoffs now complete, the NFL has updated their draft order. With the Vikings getting bounced by San Francisco yesterday, all but four draft spots have been decided. Here is the updated draft order:

1. Cincinnati (2-14)
2. Washington (3-13)
3. Detroit (3-12-1)
4. New York Giants (4-11)
5. Miami (5-11)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)
7. Carolina (5-11)
8. Arizona (5-10-1)
9. Jacksonville (6-10)
10. Cleveland (6-10)
11. New York Jets (7-9)
12. Las Vegas (7-9)
13. Indianapolis (7-9)
14. Tampa Bay (7-9)
15. Denver (7-9)
16. Atlanta (7-9)
17. Dallas (8-8)
18. Miami - from Pittsburgh (8-8)
19. Las Vegas - from Chicago (8-8)
20. Jacksonville - from Los Angeles Rams (9-7)
21. Philadelphia (9-7)
22. Buffalo (10-6)
23. New England (12-4)
24. New Orleans (13-3)
25. Minnesota (10-6)
26. Miami - from Houston (10-6)
27. Seattle (11-5)
28. Baltimore (14-2)

———————————-

Tennessee* (9-7)

Green Bay* (13-3)

Kansas City* (12-4)

San Francisco* (13-3)

*The final four draft positions will be determined once the Conference Championships and Super Bowl have been completed.

The Vikings get the 25th spot over the Texans pick that Miami owns due to having the lower strength of schedule tiebreaker. Minnesota has picked 25th six times in their history, and they’ve had a pretty decent track record at that spot. Let’s take a look:

1970: John Ward, G

1974: Steve Riley, T

1975: Mark Mullaney, DE

1976: James ‘Duck’ White, DE

2000:Chris Hovan, DT

2013: Xavier Rhodes, CB

There are several positions the Vikings could be looking at come April, but with Rhodes a possible cap casualty and Trae Waynes an unrestricted free agent, cornerback could be a top priority. Riley Reiff my be a cap casualty as well, so offensive tackle, or another spot on the offensive line will probably be up there. The Vikings need a reliable third wide receiver, but I’m not sure that will or should be the top priority.

So, with the season over, the Vikings are now picking 25th in the first round, and currently the Vikings own seven total picks in the upcoming draft. One pick each in rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, and two picks in the seventh. Their fifth round pick was used to light a fire under Dan Bailey’s ass in the form of a trade to Baltimore for K Kaare Vedvik, who Minnesota cut in training camp. Vedvik’s career has bounced more than his kicked footballs off of goal posts, going from the Vikings, the Jets, the Bengals, and now just signed a reserve/futures contract with Buffalo.

Anyway, there’s your draft order. It’s not 32, and it sucks.