Everyone assumes a safety is coming to Minnesota, but what if the trenches get addressed?
The overall consensus and mock draft community has decided that Dillon Theineman is officially a Minnesota Viking. Putting the pieces together and roster construction make the pick likely. Harrison Smith may return, but if he doesn't, Theineman can start immediately.
But what if the Vikings select a defensive lineman?
Nate Tice and Charles McDonald of Yahoo Sports have an interesting prediction for the 18th pick.
18. Minnesota Vikings — Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Vikings have a few flavors of prospects they could go after with their first-round pick. There are a couple of interesting safety options: They could look to find the T.J. Hockenson replacement in Kenyon Sadiq, or they could add some tangible beef to their defensive line. Brian Flores is going to scheme pressures and big plays for his defense, but the Vikings could use someone to eat up blocks to let teammates fly to the football. McDonald isn’t the sexiest prospect, but his ability to hold up against the run is his calling card, while also having light enough feet to be used on the twists and stunts that Flores loves so much. McDonald is basically the defensive version of the line of thinking that led to the Donovan Jackson selection last year at offensive guard: a tangible trench talent who can let the creative coaches be creative.
With the losses of Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, defensive tackle is a definite need. Tice and McDonald definitely have a point and have a great grasp on scheme and how players fit.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has D.J. Reader as a pro comp for McDonald.
A talented run defender, McDonald plays with natural leverage and rattles pads with his initial contact. He’s quick to locate ball-carriers, play off of blocks and rally to the action. His technique is a bit underdeveloped and he’s not a natural drain-clogger against double teams, but he still managed an unusually high tackle rate as an interior defender. Quicker hand strikes should allow for more efficient reps and earlier wins at the point. He offers limited rush value, so his money will be made by giving grief to centers and guards as an even-front nose tackle with starting potential.
Taking a run defender in the first round is a risky proposition, but the sum of the parts for the defensive line may make McDonald successful in Minnesota.
How would you feel if Minnesota drafted a defensive tackle in the first round?