{"id":867640,"date":"2026-04-16T11:26:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T11:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/867640\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T11:26:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T11:26:34","slug":"todd-mcshays-mock-draft-throws-a-grenade-at-vikings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/867640\/","title":{"rendered":"Todd McShay’s Mock Draft Throws a Grenade at Vikings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"WashingtonFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington wideout Denzel Boston (WO08) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

For the last five weeks, nine out of ten NFL mock drafts have featured Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman to the Minnesota Vikings. Only very recently has the mock-draft community begun to diversify. Among those examples is The Ringer\u2018s Todd McShay, formerly of ESPN. connecting Minnesota to Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston<\/a> in Round 1.<\/p>\n

McShay may have reopened Minnesota\u2019s WR debate at No. 18.<\/p>\n

Fans shouldn\u2019t rule out a WR pick, and one week before the draft, McShay is all over it.<\/p>\n

Why a Receiver at No. 18 Has Real Traction<\/p>\n

The idea sounds jarring, though the logic is easy to find.<\/p>\n

\"DenzelWashington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) reacts after hauling in a touchdown reception during second-quarter action, Oct. 12, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, celebrating the scoring play as Washington builds momentum against Iowa in a cross-conference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

McShay: Boston to MIN at No. 18<\/p>\n

Passing on Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, McShay rolled with Boston to Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s team.<\/p>\n

He defended the selection<\/a>, \u201cThe Vikings had real issues catching the football last season, and the situation hasn\u2019t exactly improved. With Jalen Nailor now in Las Vegas, they\u2019re currently planning to give Tai Felton and his three rookie receptions a starting role. That\u2019s a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis pick might feel a bit rich for Boston, but based on conversations I had with a couple of teams over the weekend, the gap between him, KC Concepcion<\/a>, and Omar Cooper Jr. isn\u2019t nearly as wide for some teams as the draft community may think. It really comes down to stylistic preference, and for Minnesota, the need is clear: a big, physical outside receiver to complement Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Boston fits that mold perfectly.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the first prominent mock draft to link Boston to the Vikings.<\/p>\n

Boston\u2019s Rookie Profile<\/p>\n

Boston is 6\u20194\u2033 and 210 pounds. He\u2019s 22 and ran a 4.6 forty at the NFL Combine<\/a>. The Washington alumnus is a deep-ball killer, touchdown scorer, and yards-after-catch guy on top of it all. On the downside, he might struggle to beat man coverage early in the pros, and the 4.6 speed obviously isn\u2019t dazzling.<\/p>\n

At Washington in the last two seasons, Boston tabulated 125 receptions, 1,715 yards, and 20 touchdowns.<\/p>\n

NFL Draft Buzz on Boston<\/a>: \u201cBoston isn\u2019t going to run past NFL corners with pure speed, and his decision to skip the 40-yard dash at Washington\u2019s pro day only adds to the questions about his long speed. When a receiver with his profile chooses not to run, evaluators notice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe vertical jump improvement to 37.5 inches at the pro day was a nice touch, reinforcing the short-area explosiveness, but it doesn\u2019t answer the straight-line concerns. Still, he plays the position with intelligence and physicality that should translate.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Vikings don\u2019t have many tall receivers, and Boston would instantly fix that.<\/p>\n

\"DenzelWashington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) celebrates after reaching the end zone during first-half action, Sep. 20, 2025, at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium in Pullman, marking a touchdown in the Apple Cup rivalry matchup against Washington State. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

NDB added, \u201cThe adjustment period at the next level will center on his release package and ability to defeat press coverage consistently. Physical NFL corners<\/a> will test him early, and he\u2019ll need more variety and craftiness off the line to avoid getting rerouted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe speed questions won\u2019t go away until he proves it on Sundays, and that\u2019s a fair concern for a receiver being discussed in the first-round conversation. That said, his ball skills are dependable, his competitive makeup suggests he\u2019ll put in the work, and he has the tools and mentality to develop into a productive starter who wins his share of one-on-one opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes, a WR Could Be the Pick<\/p>\n

Some fans will see wide receiver for the Vikings in mock drafts<\/a> and think, \u201cWhat are we even doing?\u201d On the surface, that\u2019s a fair assessment.<\/p>\n

However, Justin Jefferson\u2019s guaranteed money<\/a> runs out after 2026, Jalen Nailor no longer works for the Vikings, Jordan Addison\u2019s off-the-field patterns are sketchy, and no one knows if last year\u2019s rookie, Tai Felton, is any good. Then, that\u2019s it for Vikings wide receivers.<\/p>\n

\"DenzelWashington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) secures a touchdown catch during second-quarter play, Nov. 8, 2025, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, completing the scoring play against Wisconsin as Washington\u2019s offense capitalizes on a key drive in conference action. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

The position is not an urgent need, but the case for a Round 1 wideout in Minnesota is not silly. Also remember that Minnesota has a rich, rich history of drafting wide receivers. It\u2019s the Vikings\u2019 thing.<\/p>\n

Other Frontrunners<\/p>\n

If you want the Vikings to pick a wide receiver next week, with the plan for that man to contribute sooner rather than later, but Boston isn\u2019t quite the guy, then the draft list looks like this with one week to go:<\/p>\n

Makai Lemon (USC | R1)<\/p>\n

Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State | R1)<\/p>\n

Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana | R1)<\/p>\n

Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M | R1)<\/p>\n

Chris Bell (Louisville | R2)<\/p>\n

Chris Brazzell (Tennessee | R2)<\/p>\n

Germie Bernard (Alabama | R2)<\/p>\n

Zachariah Branch (Georgia | R2)<\/p>\n

Antonio Williams (Clemson | R3)<\/p>\n

Malachi Fields (Notre Dame | R3)<\/p>\n

Elijah Sarratt (Indiana | R3)<\/p>\n

Ted Hurst (Georgia State | R3)<\/p>\n

Skyler Bell (UConn | R3)<\/p>\n

Bryce Lance (North Dakota State | R3)<\/p>\n

Deion Burks (Oklahoma | R3)<\/p>\n

Ja\u2019Kobi Lane (USC | R4)<\/p>\n

Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State | R4)<\/p>\n

De\u2019Zhaun Stribling (Mississippi | R4)<\/p>\n

The Vikings have reportedly met with Williams, Hurst, and Stribling. <\/p>\n

Boston will turn 23 in December. <\/p>\n

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