Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings: 3-Round 2017 Mock Draft Post-Free Agency

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:50 p.m. ET

Fansided, Justin Huffman/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

The Minnesota Vikings made key moves in NFL free agency, but there's more work to day in the 2017 NFL Draft. A mini-mock draft for their first three picks.

After addressing their offensive tackles in free agency, the Minnesota Vikings now turn to the 2017 NFL Draft to address other key positions. Now, that doesn't mean Minnesota will not address the offensive line again through the draft. Actually, it's almost expected that they will at least dive into that position one more time before the season begins.

The defensive side of the ball brings back quite a few former Pro Bowl players from last season, priming the purple and gold for another strong season on the defensive side of the ball. On the offensive side of the ball, question marks fill out the roster.

Will quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, ever return from injury? Can Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer fix the offensive line issues while keeping them healthy? Who's going to run the ball with Adrian Peterson and Matt Asiata gone? Who will fill in for the losses of Cordarrelle Patterson and Charles Johnson? Questions are in abundance.

We are currently 44 days away from the opening of the 2017 NFL Draft, adraft stocked full of game changers on both sides of the ball, and a multitude of depth at many positions. With the lack of a first round pick, Minnesota may have to gamble once again to jump back into the first to draft a player they covet by making a trade. Or they could just patiently wait and take the best player available on their board.

All options are on the table with general manager, Rick Spielman and, while watching his team lose many of their own free agents in the last week and a half, many hope Spielman will pull the pieces together to create a competitive football team. With that in mind, here's what the Vikings could do with their first three picks in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Mixon

Running Back, Oklahoma

At this point, with no signing imminent and Latavius Murray being the only back available visiting, Minnesota may have no other choice but to address this position in the draft. Quite frankly, it's the best option available to Rick Spielman and the Vikings. The running back positional has made quite the comeback these last two drafts, and this 2017 draft will be no exception.

Names like Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, and Christian McCaffrey are expected to jump off the board in the first round, but there are a few other backs that may just be as good as the top three in the draft. Guys like D'onta Foreman, Marlon Mack, Alvin Kamara, Wayne Gallman, Curtis Samuel, and Samaje Perine should be available. However, a name that has received little attention (at least in terms of his actual performance) due to his off-field mistakes is Joe Mixon.

More from NFL Spin Zone

His talents will transition to the NFL beautifully with the right fit, and he could potentially become one of the best dual-threat backs in the league. It is becoming vital that these running backs learn how to hit the gaps out of the shotgun and be reliable in pass protection, while also catching the ball just as well as a wide receiver. Mixon is the type of back who would bring that to the Vikings.

At Oklahoma, he and Samaje Perine created an almost unstoppable backfield, a tandem jam-packed with thunder and lightning. Perine known as the bruiser and short-yardage back, while Mixon did it all and didn't lack in any phase.

His tape speaks for itself. Mixon's vision and toughness through the hole is an aspect Minnesota lacked last season, along with his home run ability. Out of the backfield Mixon has put together quite a few one-handed grabs to display to pro teams interested. At his pro day, Mixon put on a show in front of coaches and general managers alike; it just so happened that head coach Mike Zimmer and Spielman were both there with their new running backs coach to evaluate Joe.

Yes the kid comes with baggage, an incident that he has addressed regrettably, yet teams will have to take his short comings into consideration when it comes to his on-field talent. In this case with Minnesota not having a first round pick, Joe Mixon would probably be the best talent available, if he's even available when the Vikings are on the clock.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Bisnowaty

Tackle/Guard, Pittsburgh

You may have never heard of the name, but it should become a name we become familiar with on Sundays. Tough, gritty, athletically gifted, strong, a captain for the Pittsburgh Panthers while being known to have a mean streak; all these traits define offensive tackle Adam Bisnowaty.

Minnesota fans must be thinking to themselves, why draft another tackle when we just spent a boatload of money on two in free agency, and signed another to secure his spot on the team? Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer love players who can easily transition to other positions, and the former Pitt tackle can do just that. Scouts are split on whether this behemoth of a man should fill a future right tackle role, or slide inside to play guard. Fortunately enough for the Vikings, they could use both in this draft.

Now, Bisnowaty is a bit raw in his pass protection ability. He has shown the tremendous punch and power to bully a rusher pass the quarterback when he gets beat with speed, but isn't as fluid continuing the block.

Minnesota's offensive line was a complete train wreck last season, especially at the tackle positions. The Vikings went out and spent a premium on the left tackle position signing Riley Reiff, but were able to rebound with a cap friendly deal with right tackle Mike Remmers. With Brandon Fusco gone, Bisnowaty could step in immediately at guard and bring an intimidating force along the Vikings line.

Sign me up for an Alex Boone/Adam Bisnowaty combination at guard. The football version of the "smash brothers" on the offensive line, these guys would surely get the lackluster run game on track for the 2017-18 season.

Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Godwin

WR, Penn State

This may be some wishful thinking on my part, but boy how happy Vikings' fans would be if they can nab a receiver like this in the third round. Chris Godwin's NFL combine performance may have jetted him up into the second round, but in the third he's an absolute steal for Spielman. Godwin is the type of guy who shows up in big games, brings the tenacity with 50/50 balls, and has the speed to take the top off most defenses.

At the Combine, Godwin came in at 6-1 and 209 pounds. He posted an impressive 4.42-second 40-yard dash, while posting other godly numbers in other events. His 40-yard dash and bench press were among the top results for the wide receiver class, while showing a natural ability to grab everything with his hands while running routes and catching passes.

In his three-year career at Penn State, Godwin amassed over 150 catches, 2,241 yards, and 18 touchdowns, while averaging just shy of 15 yards per catch.

Minnesota needs a physical, speedy receiver who can run by defensive backs and out-muscle them when need be. First round pick, Laquon Treadwell, wasn't given the opportunity last year to prove to anyone that he can do the job, and the Vikings just let Cordarrelle Patterson and Charles Johnson walk. Even with Adam Thielen getting re-signed, it's not the greatest position for Minnesota to be in on offense. A dysfunctional offensive line with minimal offensive weapons could lead to a very long season for quarterback Sam Bradford if he doesn't wind up hurt.

Zimmer made the point during Combine interviews that he "doesn't want to rob Peter to pay Paul," referring to not adding players to his defense in order to address his offense. Well, I hate to say it coach, this offense needs all the help it can get. Offensive line, running back, wide receivers, and even the quarterback position becomes a big question mark if Bradford gets hurt.