The NFL Draft begins Thursday in Pittsburgh rumors have been swirling about which prospect teams will pick. The Minnesota Vikings have been linked to safety Dillon Thieneman and more recently to tight end Kenyon Sadiq, although not as strongly as Thieneman has been.<\/p>\n
However, there is no guarantee either prospect will be available when the Vikings are on the clock at #18. With that in mind, let\u2019s take a look at some likely scenarios for the Vikings for the first night of the draft.<\/p>\n
The Likely First Prospects Drafted<\/p>\n
For the Vikings, it doesn\u2019t really matter much which team picks the top ten prospects. It\u2019s highly unlikely the Vikings are going to trade up into the top ten so if Caleb Downs is picked at #5 or #9 isn\u2019t relevant. What is relevant are which of the top prospects are picked ahead of the Vikings. With that in mind, here are the top prospects that are highly likely to be picked in the top ten and effectively out of reach for the Vikings:<\/p>\n
QB Fernando MendozaED Arvell ReeseED David BaileyRB Jeremiyah LoveLB Sonny StylesWR Carnell TateCB Mansoor DelaneS Caleb DownsWR Jordyn TysonED Rueban Bain Jr.<\/p>\n
Beyond these ten prospects, I would also add the two top offensive line prospects as very likely to be taken ahead of the Vikings. They are:<\/p>\n
OT Francis MauigoaOT Spencer Fano<\/p>\n
All of the above names are -130 (56.5% implied probability) of being selected in the top ten and even higher therefore that they\u2019d be selected in the top 15.<\/p>\n
#12: Where the First Round Gets Interesting<\/p>\n
Dallas owns the twelfth pick in the draft and there has been rumors that they could trade this pick either up or down. Stephen Jones said its not possible for them to trade up into the top five, presumably ruling that out. But if the Cowboys don\u2019t trade this pick, there is a chance that their preferred prospects for this pick are gone. If that were the case, they might look to trade down or if that didn\u2019t work out, pick the top player on their board, even if its not a great value at #12.<\/p>\n
There really isn\u2019t a good read on who the Cowboys may pick here if they don\u2019t trade the pick. DraftKings has Mansoor Delane at the most likely pick at +600, which is a lot lower probability for the favorite compared to just about any other draft slot in the top 15-20. And Delane is likely to be gone by twelve. The Cowboys reportedly have first-round grades on just twelve players this year<\/p>\n
One of the more likely options if all the above names are off the board is Dillon Thieneman, who has been linked heavily to the Vikings. Jermod McCoy had been linked to the Cowboys, but apparently there are significant medical concerns with McCoy that he may need an additional knee surgery to correct a problem and his knee issue may be a degenerative condition. Given those concerns, McCoy is now expected to be drafted in the late first round or possibly second round.<\/p>\n
This is also where multiple trades could happen<\/p>\n
There is also considerable speculation that there could be multiple trades in this range of the first round as teams looking for an offensive lineman may look to trade up. Some teams picking in this range may also be willing to trade down a bit and select an edge rusher.<\/p>\n
As it stands currently, the Rams picking at #13 are thought to be looking at a pass catcher, most likely Makai Lemon, but possibly Kenyon Sadiq.<\/p>\n
The Ravens at #14 have been strongly linked to the top guard in the draft Olaivavega Ioane, which is also a big need. They have also been rumored to be willing to trade down a bit too.<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay picks next at #15 but is rumored to be looking to trade down a bit and pick an edge rusher, most likely Akheem Mesidor. However, if they don\u2019t trade down there is a significant chance that they take Kenyon Sadiq here, who has been linked to the Vikings recently. The rumor that the Bucs are looking to trade down may indicate that the Bucs prefer to draft an edge rusher first, but they have met with every tight end expected to be drafted in the first three or four rounds.<\/p>\n
The Jets pick at #16 and are rumored to be targeting a receiver here, possibly Omar Cooper Jr.<\/p>\n
The Lions pick next and are widely thought to prefer tackle Kadyn Proctor. In fact, they may be a candidate to trade up a few spots to get their guy.<\/p>\n
And Then the Vikings Are On the Clock<\/p>\n