Forget defensive needs. One analyst suggests a falling offensive lineman could be the Vikings' surprise No. 18 pick, challenging their draft strategy.
The Minnesota Vikings are set to make a mid-round pick in the first round of the NFL draft. Conventional wisdom says the team needs to draft a defensive player.
The Vikings have locked up the top free agent quarterback on the market in Kyler Murray after his release from the Arizona Cardinals. The former Cardinals quarterback signed with the Vikings for less than $1.5 million. Now many see the Vikings drafting a defensive star. One analyst might disagree.
Trevor Ripley of Zone Coverage discussed an interesting prospect who might be under consideration with the No. 18 pick in the draft. Ripley identified Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano as a quality player who could fall. He wrote the following of the potential surprise pick.
"The true test of the Minnesota Vikings’ potential best-player-available approach is here, and it’s sure to ruffle some feathers. As the NFL Draft quickly approaches, one player who had been consistently projected as a top-10 pick has begun to fall into the teens in recent mocks and could still be on the board at No.18. So, if all of the top safeties and cornerbacks are off the board by the time the Vikings pick, would they possibly entertain selecting Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano?
Fano played mostly tackle in college, but after getting the arm-length measurement kiss of death at the combine, his status as the draft’s top tackle took a big hit. His 32 ⅛” arms fall below the NFL standard of 33 inches for tackles and measure even shorter than those of the polarizing Will Campbell of the New England Patriots. Other players like Peter Skoronski and Alijah Vera-Tucker, both tackles with sub-33” arms, slipped in the draft after their initial projections."
Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis (96) and Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) battle during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesUtah has seen some recent success in player development. That much is true with Spencer Fano as well. The highly regarded prospect could be drafted before the Vikings, but if not would certainly challenge Minnesota's adherence to best player available strategy.
The Vikings do have clear needs at defensive tackle and safety, but they also possess a general need to improve at offensive line even if the offensive interior of the line is the primary need. If the Vikings can find an elite tackle with the pick, it's easy to see them adding Fano that late in the draft.
We'll monitor where they seem to be going with the pick over the next two weeks.