Vikings Draft Options for Second Round

Photo: DraftBreaker

The first round of the NFL Draft has concluded and several quality offensive linemen remain on the board with the second round on the horizon. Daniel House discusses what the Vikings may do on the second day of the draft. 

Updated: April 27th, 2016 11:49pm

By: Daniel House

The first round of the NFL Draft has concluded and several quality offensive linemen remain on the board with the second round on the horizon. The Vikings will have options at pick number 48, but could make a move up the board to select a player like Western Kentucky guard Forrest Lamp. Lamp could play both guard and tackle and is a player many scouts projected would land in the top-15. It would likely take a fourth round pick to move up from pick 48 to 35. However, Green Bay or Seattle may select Lamp with the first two picks of the second round.

Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson also slid out of the first round and may be a tackle the Vikings could target. It seems more realistic the team will look for an interior offensive linemen in the second round. If the Vikings want Robinson, they’d need to trade up to around 35 to make it happen.

Even with that being said, it is realistic Indiana guard Dan Feeney or Temple guard Dion Dawkins will be available when the Vikings pick at 48. Each of them would be solid options to plug into the interior offensive line. Dawkins also has the versatility to potentially play tackle in a pinch. Not to mention, Western Michigan’s Taylor Moton is another option for the Vikings to add a versatile guard/tackle. 

On the other end of the spectrum, the team could draft a safety like Washington’s Budda Baker to pair with Harrison Smith. Baker would be placed in centerfield and has the instincts and explosiveness to make plays. In addition, Harrison Smith could be put in the box more to utilize his full skill-set. Another name to keep an eye on is Connecticut safety Obi Melifonwu. He also could play a similar role as Budda Baker and was widely considered a fringe first round prospect by scouts throughout the draft process.

The Vikings could also have a decision to make if Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon is available at pick 48. If they like him, they may have the chance to pull the trigger. However, there are plenty of talented running backs still on the board that could be selected with one of the Vikings’ two third round picks.

Another option would be to add a three technique defensive tackle like Michigan State's Malik McDowell to solidify the interior of the defensive line. The three technique defensive tackle class is rather weak and this would be a chance for the Vikings to patch a hole in their roster. McDowell had some effort issues at Michigan State, but if Mike Zimmer can get the maximum potential out of him, he has the chance to be a solid prospect.

In order to land a top-tier offensive linemen, the Vikings may need to trade up, but the only player this would seem realistic with is Forrest Lamp. Minnesota would need to tempt Seattle into making a trade for the 34^th pick, which feels unlikely. Nonetheless, with Dan Feeney and Dion Dawkins likely being on the board when the Vikings make their selection at 48, there are plenty of interior offensive line options still available.