2015 Possible First Round Draft Picks

There have already been many mock drafts out already, as it’s one of the next big things to look forward to after your team doesn't make the playoffs. Unfortunately for Vikings fans that’s been the case much more often than not in the past few years. For me, at least, it’s given me a very good working knowledge of the younger players coming into the NFL in the last few years. We are also going into the 2015 draft not looking for a quarterback. That’s an astounding feeling.

From the few (underexaggeration) drafts I’ve perused, there’s one player that is being mocked to the Vikings more than any other. I’ll start with that one, but there are three others I want to touch on briefly. They are a combination of players I could see the Vikings taking and players I would love the Vikings to take.

DeVante Parker, WR Louisville

from: draftpanthers.com

This is the player that the vast majority of mock drafters have the Vikings taking at 11. And why not? The Vikings could use a number one receiver. Jennings isn’t that person in Norv Turner’s offense, and though Cordarrelle Patterson was supposed to be that person, he isn’t there yet. Charles Johnson came out of nowhere and provided a solid target for Bridgewater when none were to be found, but he’s still a bit rough yet as well. The 6’3, 210 pound Parker would give Bridgewater not only a target that he is familiar with from his time at Louisville, but it would give him a red-zone target where, minus Kyle Rudolph, we have none. Amari Cooper will be gone by the time we pick, but for the type of player our offense needs on the outside, Parker may be a better fit anyway.

Brandon Scherff, OL Iowa

from: nfl.com

Scherff is likely to be gone by 11, as he can excel at nearly every position on the line. He would be especially beneficial for the Vikings, though. John Sullivan is timeless at center, and our right side is locked down with Fusco at guard and Loadholt at tackle. The left side could use some work though. I’m not one of those fans that is calling for Kalil’s head. He definitely deserves to play out his rookie contract starting at left tackle, and I believe he’ll show considerable improvement next year. That allows Scherff, 6’5 and 320 pounds, to step in at left guard day one. Charlie Johnson definitely won’t be here next year, and then the Vikings’ staff can ease David Yankey into a backup role. If the worst happens, as in Kalil plays the whole year like he did the first just of 2014, then Scherff can step in for the 2016 season.

Landon Collins, S Alabama

from: dabearsbeat.com

He’s probably the only safety that will go in the first round, and he most likely won’t go outside the top fifteen. At 6’ and 220 pounds he’s the perfect size to play alongside Harrison Smith as the strong safety. He’s quick, hits hard, reads runs well, plays expert zone coverage, and plays man coverage well enough to shadow a tight end. In essence, he’d be perfect for our defense. The only things that will prevent Goodell calling Collins’ name for the Vikings is that he will probably be gone before pick 11, and we have other positions that could use more of an upgrade than the strong safety position.

Shaq Thompson, LB Washington

from: espn.go.com

This is a bit of a stretch. Either he’ll go higher, or he’ll drop because of his size. Shaq Thompson is a freak of an athlete. If you’ve been following the big names in college football, you know how Washington played him at linebacker and running back. The reason he could fall is not because of his 6’2 height, but his weight of around 225. I’m not sure what the average weight of a linebacker in the NFL is these days, but if I had to guess I’d say it is 240 or 245. I recently read a mock draft that thought Thompson would be a great fit at strong safety. Safeties like Kam Chancellor and Taylor Mays both play at weights in that range, and while Mays hasn’t really come on, Chancellor is a beast. But that’s poppycosh. The Vikings are not running the traditional cover 2 defense that we saw for many years. We’re running Zimmer’s defense. That means Anthony Barr, a 255 pound pass rushing specialist freak of an athlete on the strong side, would fit perfectly with a 230 pound freak of an athlete on the weakside. Yes, I’m assuming he’ll play at 230. I don’t have the stat on hand, but the Vikings played in their nickel package more than they played in their base defense. With only two linebackers on the field, it would make sense to pair Barr, who is getting better but still struggles in coverage, with a rangy linebacker who can do everything. He’d be perfect as the second backer in the nickel defense, and great on the weakside in our base defense. I’m thinking something in the Lavonte David mold, and what defense couldn’t use Lavonte David?

The first round is all about getting someone who can step in immediately and make an impact. In my opinion, each of these players fits that description perfectly. If we look at the offense as we need to do whatever we can to assist Teddy’s development, Devonte Parker and Brandon Scherff are both solid selections. I know this has been beaten to death as well, but the Cowboys did prove how far a great offensive line will get you. Better lineman will only help Teddy. On the other hand, more time to throw will only help if Bridgewater has receivers to throw to. It's a viscous, viscous circle.  Under Mike Zimmer, the defense is always high on the list as well. The Vikings took some major strides this year under Zimmer, and plugging in a rangy linebacker or a safety that could be just as good as Harrison Smith in a few years (just as good, not better) would send our defense to the top of the pack. And defense wins championships, right? If we could grab any of these picks, I’ll be a happy fan. I hope to do an in-depth post about each of these picks in the next few weeks, and then it’s on to the second round!