Minnesota Vikings

2017 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings 7-Round Mock Draft, Overreaction Edition

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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It may be an overreaction, but it seems the Minnesota Vikings need to invest more than just a pick or two in the offensive line in the 2017 NFL Draft.

If you watched the Minnesota Vikings lose to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night in Week 13, then you likely saw one of the worst individual offensive line performances of all time. It’s safe to say Vikings left tackle T.J. Clemmings was a complete trainwreck.

If he wasn’t giving defenders a free run at Sam Bradford, he was getting flagged for holding or a false start. Seriously, it got to the point where Clemmings may have just been stepping aside and letting the Cowboys defensive ends take a shot at his quarterback. It was like Minnesota put a high school player on the field and hoped he wouldn’t get Bradford killed.

That putrid performance not only has the Vikings’ playoff hopes circling the drain, but it shed further light on the fact that their offensive line as a whole needs some serious help. Obviously injuries have played a big part this year. But the depth wasn’t there when the starters inevitably began falling.

That’s why it dawned on me—the Vikings need to go on an offensive line shopping spree during the 2017 NFL Draft. Free agency likely won’t yield any serious upgrades, so why not build through the draft? I mean, it worked for the Cowboys this season with Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott.

Now the word “overreaction” is in the title for a reason. This isn’t a serious mock draft by any means. It’s more a dramatic approach to getting Clemmings out of the lineup for good. So take it with a grain of salt and realize that it’s just meant to poke fun at the Vikings’ miserable offensive line.

Enjoy it for what it is. And bask in the awfulness that is Clemmings’ pass blocking.

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Round 1 (Trading Up): Ryan Ramcyzk, OT – Wisconsin

Obviously the Vikings would have to trade for this pick. In this situation, I have them trading their second-round pick, third-round pick and sixth-round pick for a late-first-round pick (mid 20s). With their newfound pick, they land arguably one of the most intriguing offensive linemen in the draft.

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Ryan Ramcyzk is a fast riser who burst onto the scene in 2016 as a first-year starter. Since taking over as a starter along the Badgers’ front five, he’s done nothing but dominate. Whether he’s mauling opposing defenders in the ground game or keeping his quarterback upright in pass protection, it’s quite impressive to see the impact he’s had in Year 1.

So imagine the upside if Ramcyzk gets some NFL coaching and builds on those budding abilities.

As poor as the Vikings offensive line has been this year, they have a pretty great coach in Tony Sparano. With that type of guidance, the sky truly could be the limit for Ramcyzk. He’d be an upgrade over Matt Kalil, and it’s not like there are many better options scheduled to hit the open market in 2016.

If Minnesota truly wants to get better along the front five in 2017, they need to make a splash. Ramcyzk would provide that splash and so much more for the next decade or so. Well worth the package needed to move up into the first round.

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Round 3: Billy Price, G – Ohio State

With the left tackle position now locked down, it’s time to look towards the interior. Both Alex Boone and Brandon Fusco have been decent this season, but could use some competition. So why not add a high-upside prospect like Billy Price to the mix?

The Ohio State product has done nothing but impress during his time in Columbus. Starting since 2014, Price has quietly developed into one of the most reliable parts of the Buckeyes offense. While he doesn’t possess amazing size or elite athleticism, he’s got the tools to get the job done at the next level.

Although he’s still a work in progress as a pass blocker, Price is an outstanding run blocker who uses his impressive footwork and power at the point of attack to win in the trenches. Some NFL coaching should be just what he needs to round out his game.

More than anything, the Vikings need some more potential along the interior. Boone is nearing the end of his career, and Fusco appears to have already hit his ceiling. Given a few years to grow and develop in Minnesota, Price could easily become one of the league’s most reliable guards. For a third-round pick, you can’t ask for much more than that.

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Round 4: Chad Wheeler, OT – USC

Considering both Kalil and Andre Smith are free agents, it’s time to add another offensive tackle. It’s not like Clemmings is going to provide any quality depth behind Ramcyzk and even him starting at right tackle is a scary thought.

Hence, the selection of Chad Wheeler.

Now, I was hesitant to go with the USC product because he has a lot of off-the-field baggage. Spielman seems to have shied away from those types of players, but I believe desperate times call for desperate measures. If he checks out during the pre-draft interviews, Wheeler is definitely worth the risk.

When he’s healthy and has his head on straight, Wheeler is one of the most impressive offensive tackles in college football. He sports a solid 6-6, 310-pound frame and plenty of athleticism to go along with it. The former top recruit has all of the tools to be an excellent starter on either side, and just needs a season or two in an NFL weight room to get to where he needs to be physically.

There will be a lot of red flags, which is why Wheeler will even be available in the fourth round. However, if Spielman likes what he sees and hears, he should be willing to gamble on a guy who could turn out to be a Day 1 talent down the road.

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Round 4 (via Dolphins): Mason Cole, C – Michigan

Yes, the run on offensive linemen continues. This time, the Vikings grab the versatile Mason Cole to continue rounding out their rebuilt front five. What I like about Cole is his experience at a couple of different positions. During his days with the Wolverines, he’s been the starting left tackle and center. Although most scouts agree his future lies at center, the Vikings could use him on the blindside instead of Clemmings if it came to it.

The other thing I like about Cole is he’s seen as a plus pass protector. As we’ve seen this season, the Vikings can use all the help it can get in terms of pass blocking. Cole has diligently honed his craft since landing at Michigan and saw even more improvement in 2016 under Jim Harbaugh’s regime.

Obviously the Vikings don’t have a dire need at center with Joe Berger on the roster. However, he’s getting up there in age and is a bit injury prone. Relying on Nick Easton as the go-to backup isn’t ideal either, which makes Cole a solid selection in the middle rounds.

Cole has taken big steps in his progression during his time in Ann Arbor. Assuming he continues to capitalize on his intriguing mix of size, strength and leadership skills, he’d be a welcomed addition in the Twin Cities.

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Round 5: Jon Heck, OT – North Carolina

What do you know? Another offensive lineman for the Vikings as we head into Day 3. There are a lot of mixed opinions when it comes to Jon Heck. The Tar Heels starting right tackle has had an up-and-down college career, but has shown flashes of NFL potential. Whether that’s on the outside or along the interior is still to be determined.

Either way, I think he could be an asset for the Vikings. They obviously lack depth along the offensive line, and it appears Heck can provide that at a number of positions.

Although the North Carolina standout has been a bit inconsistent, it’s hard to deny the raw skills are there. He’s got the size, athleticism and power at the point of attack to intrigue NFL scouts. Injuries were a bit of an issue this season, but that’s nothing Minnesota isn’t used to at this point.

Like a couple of guys in this mock, Heck is a work in progress. His run blocking is a step ahead of his pass protection, which needs to catch up if he’s going to see the field. However, he’d probably be able to provide better protection than Clemmings in a year or two. What have the Vikings got to lose? The more shots they take at fixing the offensive line, the better their chances are of landing a quality starter or two.

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Round 7: Calvin Munson, OLB – San Diego State

Since taking over as general manager for the Vikings, Rick Spielman has grabbed a developmental linebacker in the seventh round every year. Even with the complete overhaul of the offensive line, we can’t change the status quo in that regard.

So here it is—a selection of a developmental linebacker in the seventh round.

I’m a big fan of Calvin Munson, who has been a star for the Aztecs in 2016. He’s spent the entire season racking up tackles and making big plays for the San Diego State defense. While he isn’t a supreme athlete, he wins with tenacity, a relentless motor and impeccable instincts. That’s exactly the type of player Spielman would love to add to this roster.

Realistically, he may never turn into a starting-caliber NFL talent. He may also never be much more than a solid backup and special teams contributor. But as Audie Cole has proven, you can make a living off of serving in that exact role in Minnesota. The Vikings could do a lot worse with this pick. For Spielman’s sake, though, Munson is the final addition to the team’s 2017 draft class.

Although, another offensive lineman probably wouldn’t hurt.

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