With the 23rd pick in the 2016 Arrowhead Pride draft, Vikings GM kcsno56 selects...
The Vikings are taking a WR round 1. They have some other needs that could be filled such as OL or S, but they have spent money this offseason to address those via the additions of Andre Smith, Alex Boone and Michael Griffin. So, again, the Vikings are taking a WR in round 1. Bridgewater needs more time, sure, but what he is really missing are more weapons on the outside to pair with Stefon Diggs. The rumor that they will not be picking up Cordarrelle Patterson’s 5th year option, who almost entirely has been a disappointment, only brings this more into focus.
So, which WR to take in round 1? I think the Vikings would love for Laquon Treadwell to fall to them, but that is probably not going to happen, even if he probably isn’t going as early as #9 as he did in the AP mock. After that, pretty much all of the WR’s have a chance to be there.
In our mock, Will Fuller is gone…although if the Colts draft WR, then I have no clue what else will happen on day one, if he was still there this would’ve been a tougher decision.
Corey Coleman is still on the board, and while I loved watching the kid play at Baylor, and he may have more big play potential than anyone in the draft, he’s just as likely to end up as a return guy than a solid starting WR, which the Vikes are in major need of.
That leaves my choice of WR Josh Doctson from TCU as the somewhat obvious pick here. Doctson, potentially behind only Treadwell is the most likely to fit in as a starting WR, right away. Doctson may not have one attribute that blows you away, but he has great hands, and a very solid size/speed combo. He can make the big play, but also convert on third down. Doctson expects the ball to be thrown his way (targeted 36.5% of the time), and he expects to catch it (career 3.6% drop percentage). Coming in with such an obvious need, the Vikings would be happy to walk out of next Thursday night with Doctson, feeling like that need was filled.
Michael Thomas from Ohio State is another guy that could get a look, but I think that would only be if Treadwell and Doctson were gone…which could happen.
Anyway, the Vikings will be taking the best WR on their board when it’s their turn to pick in the first round, that much I’m as sure of as a chip-shot, 27-yard FG, by a solid NFL kicker to send his team on in the playoffs.
Here are some Doctson highlights from last year if you’re into that sort of thing.
1. Titans - OT Laremy Tunsil
2. Browns - OT Ronnie Stanley
3. Chargers - CB Jalen Ramsey
4. Cowboys - DE Joey Bosa
5. Jaguars - LB Myles Jack
6. Ravens - DL DeForest Buckner
7. 49ers - QB Carson Wentz
8. Eagles - QB Jared Goff
9. Bucs - WR Laquon Treadwell
10. Giants - RB Ezekiel Elliott
11. Bears - CB Vernon Hargreaves
12. Saints - LB Jaylon Smith
13. Dolphins - CB Eli Apple
14. Raiders - CB William Jackson III
15. Rams - QB Paxton Lynch
16. Lions - DT A'Shawn Robinson
17. Falcons - LB Reggie Ragland
18. Colts - WR Will Fuller
19. Bills - DE Shaq Lawson
20. Jets - LB Leonard Floyd
21. Washington - DT Jarran Reed
22. Texans - DL Robert Nkemdiche
23. Vikings - WR Josh Doctson
24. Bengals -