(Note: Look below for a Thursday -- i.e. day of -- update of mock drafts)
Well, the time is finally here. After waiting months -- and hearing endless talk -- the NFL Draft is upon us.
There have been a myriad of mock drafts issues over this time period but there's always time for one more right before the draft hits.
Who will the Minnesota Vikings select with the No. 23 overall pick in the first round of the draft? If you think wide receiver, well, that's what most of the mock-ers think will happen as well. But not all. There are a couple of surprise picks out there -- as well as those who think Minnesota will trade the pick (and with a glutton of receiver, if the Vikings want to go that way that might not be a bad idea).
Most have issued their final mock draft but some do wait until the day of the draft. However, we know you want the information as soon as possible, so be sure to check back Thursday and we'll do our best to update/add any new mocks we see.
As usual, if we included a mock previously (some of the ones we had before have not been updated since), we'll also include the picks from that earlier mock draft (note: some mocks update often; we'll just include the pick we used). Not all mocks have updated since our last roundup, so if you are curious, click on the links off on the side for the previous mocks.
Be sure to check back with FOXSportsNorth.com for coverage of all of Minnesota's picks (as well as Minnesota Gophers, if you are also a fan) and what the experts thought of them.
And now, here's the sixth -- and final -- look of who the prognosticators think Minnesota will take in the NFL Draft. Clip and save to see who was right and who was wrong (and who were totally off base).
UPDATE: THURSDAY MOCKS
Mike Mayock, NFL.com: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "His lack of straight-line speed might turn off some, but he has a big body and a unique ability to catch the ball in traffic."
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "Treadwell or Josh Doctson would each fit well in this system."
Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.
Todd McShay of ESPN.com: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report: Round 1 -- Josh Doctson, WR, TCU; Round 2 -- Darian Thompson, FS; Round 3 -- Isaac Seumalo, C; Round 4 -- Caleb Benenoch, OT; Round 5 -- Matt Ioannidis, DL; Round 6 -- Drew Kaser, P; Round 7a -- Jimmy Pruitt, CB; Round 7b -- Ken Crawley, CB.
Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.
Evan Silva of Rotoworld.com: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.
Jeff Risdon of RealGM.com: Round 1 -- Josh Doctson, WR, TCU; Round 2 -- Darian Thompson, S, Boise State; Round 3 -- Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska; Round 4 -- Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia; Round 5 -- Arjen Colquhoun, CB, Michigan State; Round 6 -- Daniel Lasco, RB, California; Round 7a -- Geronimo Allison, WR, Illinois; Round 7b -- Vad Lee, QB, James Madison.
Nate Davis of USAToday.com: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.
Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.
Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.
Previous mocks
Walter Cherepinsky of WalterFootball.com (April 27): Round 1 -- Josh Doctson, WR, TCU; Round 2 -- Chris Jones, DE/DT, Mississippi State; Round 3 -- Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah; Round 4 -- Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia; Round 5 -- Tyler Johnstone, OT, Oregon; Round 6 -- Dadi Nicolas, LB, Virginia Tech; Round 7a -- Brandon Wilds, RB, South Carolina; Round 7b -- Beau Sandland, TE, Montana State. (Previously: Round 1 -- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi; Round 2 -- Kyle Fackrell, OLB, Utah State; Round 3 -- Sean Davis, S, Maryland; Round 4 -- Willie Henry, DT, Michigan; Round 5 -- Johnstone.)
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (April 27): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "The Vikings could use more pass-rush help, and Clemson's Kevin Dodd or Oklahoma State's Emmanuel Ogbah will be tempting here. But they badly need to get Teddy Bridgewater a wide receiver; he has only Jarius Wright, Stefon Diggs, and first-round bust Cordarrelle Patterson. Treadwell has the big body (6-2, 221) that the Vikings covet."
Will Brinson of CBSSports.com (April 27): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "True No. 1? Debatable considering his timed speed isn't there, but he shows up on tape and is a devastating red-zone threat. Teddy Bridgewater needs more help. " (Previously: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame.)
Jonathan Valencia of BreakingFootball.com (April 27): Round 1 -- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "The Vikings get the steal of the 1st round here at 23 as Laquon Treadwell slips due to concerns about his 40 time and overall speed. You can throw that out the window. Bottom-line, this dude is a straight up baller. You won't see a receiver play as physical as he does with the willingness and ability when blocking. Treadwell is great when the ball is in the air and comes down with just about everything thrown his way."; Round 2 -- Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State; Round 3 -- Jeremy Cash, S, Duke; Round 4-- Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan; Round 5 -- Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota; Round 6-- Denver Kirkland, G, Arksansas; Round 7a -- Darius Latham, DT, Indiana; Round 7b -- Drew Kaser, P, Texas A&M. (Previously: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State.)
Mark Maske of the Washington Post (April 27): Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor.
Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (April 27): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "The goal should be to help promising young QB Teddy Bridgewater. The Vikings boosted the offensive line with the addition of Alex Boone. Now the attention turns to the inconsistent group of receivers. Stefon Diggs was a terrific find in Round 5 last year, but the Vikes need some size. Doctson, 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, is the best receiver in the class and excels at winning with the ball in the air." (Previously: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.)
Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (April 27): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.
Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead (April 27): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame.
Steve Serby of the New York Post (April 27): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News (April 27): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. (Previously: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.)
Doug Farrar and Don Banks of SI.com (April 27): Banks -- Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame; Farrar -- Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma. (Previously: Farrar -- Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky.)
Steven Ruiz of For The Win (April 27): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. " This is the dream scenario for the Vikings. They need a true No. 1 wide receiver, and Treadwell has the size and mentality to fill that role."
Pete Fituak of collegefootballnews.com (April 27): Round 1 -- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "Don't be stunned if the Vikings pass on Treadwell for Corey Coleman or Will Fuller, if either one is still around here. Treadwell might not be a speed receiver, but the hope will be that Stefon Diggs continues to grow into that. Treadwell is a No. 1 target for Teddy Bridgewater."; Round 2 -- Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State. (Previously: Treadwell.)
Joe Marino of DraftBreakdown.com (April 27): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.
Bob Glauber of Newsday (April 27): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.
Brennan Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune (April 27): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.
Greg Cote of the Miami Herald (April 27): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.
Devon Jeffreys of Football Insiders (April 27): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame (note: projects trade with Carolina to No. 30). " The Vikings get a solid haul from Carolina to move down from 23 to 30 and still land one of the first round talents at wide receiver in Fuller. The Fighting Irish product isn't the all-around talent that Coleman is, but he's an outstanding vertical threat to stretch the defense, something offensive coordinator Norv Turner loves to do. The threat alone would open things up for the rest of the Vikings offense to have success in the intermediate areas as well."
Peter Schrager of FOXSports.com (April 26): Round 1 -- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss. "Treadwell's 4.65 40-yard dash time is a little bit of an eyesore, but better wide receivers have run slower times. Teddy Bridgewater isn't throwing many deep balls, anyway. The Vikings scoop him up if he's there."; Round 2 -- Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU; Round 3 -- Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas; Round 4 -- Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State; Round 5 -- Graham Glasgow, OT, Michigan; Round 6 -- John Theus, OT, Georgia; Round 7a -- Nile Lawrence Stample, DT, Florida State; Round 7b -- Drew Iddings, DE, South Dakota. (Previously: Round 1 -- Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame; Round 2 -- Le'Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech.)
Peter King of SI.com (April 26): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "The Vikings have no idea why the best receiver in the draft -- according to several teams -- fell to number 23, but they'll take the gift. One of the things GM Rick Spielman wants to get for Teddy Bridgewater is an outside receiver with game-breaking speed and sure hands. Doctson has both."
Eddie Brown of the San Diego Union-Tribune (April 26): Round 1 -- Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "Only Treadwell's ball skills compare to Doctson. It's scary to think of the play-action possibilities Teddy Bridgewater will face with this addition."; Round 2 -- Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech; Round 3 -- Joe Dahl, OG, Washington State; Round 4 -- Tom Hackett, P, Utah; Round 5 -- KJ Dillon, S, West Virginia; Round 6 -- Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson; Round 7a -- Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB, Minnesota; Round 7b -- Mortiz Boehringer, WR, Schwabisch Hall. (Previously: Round 1 -- Doctson; Round 2 -- Vadal Alexander, OG, LSU; Round 3 --John Theus, OT, Georgia; Round 4 -- Hackett,; Round 5 -- Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan; Round 6 -- Ken Crawley, CB, Colorado.)
Greg Bedard of SI.com (April 26): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "Minnesota has not had a good record with speedy outside receivers (Cordarrelle Patterson, Mike Wallace), who don't really fit the strengths of QB Teddy Bridgewater. Treadwell is the perfect big-bodied and physical receiver the Vikings are lacking.â"
Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com (April 26): Round 1 -- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "The 6-foot-2, 221-pound Treadwell is a natural receiver who is good at winning 50-50 passes and running after the catch. However, he lacks the speed to separate from most NFL cornerbacks. Thus, he's not a prospect on a par with A.J. Green, Julio Jones or Amari Cooper. The big wideout does a phenomenal job as blocker though."; Round 2 --Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State; Round 3 -- C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame; Round 4 -- Vadal Alexander, G/OT, LSU; Round 5 -- Tyrone Holmes, DE, Montana; Round 6 -- Rees Odhiambo, OL, Boise State; Round 7a -- Darrell Greene, OL, San Diego State; Round 7b -- K.J. Maye, WR, Minnesota. (Previously: Round 1 -- Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor; Round 2 -- Darian Thompson, S, Boise State; Round 3 -- Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State; Round 4 -- Alexander; Round 5 --Anthony Zettel, DE, Penn State.)
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com (April 26): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "I will stay with Treadwell in this spot. His speed isn't great, but he plays faster than he's timed." (Previously: Treadwell.)
Charles Davis of NFL.com (April 26): Laquon Treadwell, WR, TCU. "Throw out the stop watches and evaluate his production. Treadwell loves the game and is a big-time worker who competes very well for the ball in the air, and will give young QB Teddy Bridgewater more confidence to throw the ball downfield." (Previously: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.)
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (April 26): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. (Previously: Doctson)
Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post (April 26): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.
Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (April 26): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.
Matthew Glenesk of the Indianapolis Star (April 26): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.
Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (April 26): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com (April 26): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "The Vikings can help Teddy Bridgewater by adding a big-bodied WR1 with sticky hands and superb ball skills." (Previously: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State.)
Dan Kadar of SBNation/Mocking the Draft (April 25): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "Having Treadwell be the second or even third wide receiver off the board has become a popular notion the past couple of weeks. Here he's the second one gone. For the Vikings he's a possession receiver plus some. Treadwell is a good receiver after the catch. He's not going to make people miss, but he sure will run a few defensive backs over." (Previously: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State.)
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (April 25): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "The Vikings could have their choice of wide receivers at this spot. Treadwell will be a big help on third down and in the red zone." (Previously: Treadwell.)
Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus (April 25): Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State. "There are a number of wide receiver options remaining on the board, but Thomas is the best fit for Minnesota and QB Teddy Bridgewater. Thomas suffered through poor quarterback play at Ohio State, but he can create separation as well as any wide receiver in the class, and that should open up the much-needed intermediate passing game for the Vikings' offense." (Previously: Thomas.)
Ourlads (April 25): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. (Previously: Treadwell.)
Josh Norris of Rotoworld.com (April 25): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "There's a real chance Treadwell is drafted in the second round, but his fit here makes so much sense. Treadwell is the type of possession receiver teams should pursue, winning with physicality and contact both before and after the catch. He can also be a downfield receiver thanks to his ball skills and size. That area of the field is not limited to fast receivers." (Previously: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.)
Jason LaCanfora with an NFL college scout for CBSSports.com (April 25): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame.
Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com (April 25): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "The Vikings landed Teddy Bridgewater in the late first round two years ago and Christmas arrives in April once again this year for Minnesota. Treadwell is the top wide receiver in this class and gives Bridgewater a powerful possession target on the outside." (Previously: Treadwell.)
Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union (April 25): Round 1 -- Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor; Round 2 -- Joshua Garrett, OG, Stanford.
Mike Tanier of Bleacher Report (April 25): Su'a Cravens, LB, USC.
Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com (April 25): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "With the needs along the offensive line addressed via free agency, the Vikings may look to help out young quarterback Teddy Bridgewater by boosting his receiving corps on draft day. The 6-2, 202-pound Doctson has enough speed to challenge vertically and he's a master at winning contested passes due to his strong hands and body control." (Previously: Doctson.)
Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post (April 25): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.
Charlie Casserly of NFL.com (April 25): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "Teddy Bridgewater needs some weapons." (Previously: Treadwell.)
John McClain and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (April 25): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.
MyNFLDraft.com (April 25): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. (Previously: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.)
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com (April 23): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "Vikings fans seem convinced the team would have no interest in guys with questionable hands, which would rule out Will Fuller and Corey Coleman. I, however, believe Fuller would be squarely on their board if available. Regardless, Doctson gives Teddy Bridgewater a big, consistent threat with amazing hand strength and body control." (Previously: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame.)
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free-Press (April 23): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "Doctson is faster than Treadwell, and might turn out to be a better NFL player." (Previously: Doctson)
Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic (April 23): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "It'll probably be a wide receiver, but will it be Doctson, Coleman or Notre Dame's Will Fuller? All I know is the Vikings don't have much in the tank at that position and on my board, Doctson is the next-best available receiver, hands down."
Jonathan Mack of NFL Draft Blitz (April 23): Round 1 -- Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia; Round 2 -- Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame; Round 3 -- Connor McGovern, OG, Missouri.
DraftTek (April 22): Round 1 -- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi; Round 2 -- Su'a Cravens, OLB, USC; Round 3 -- John Theus, OT, Georgia; Round 4 -- Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama; Round 5 -- Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame; Round 6 -- Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida; Round 7a -- Jacob Coker, QB, Alabama; Round 7b -- Joe Schmidt, ILB, Notre Dame. (Previously: Round 1 -- Josh Doctson, WR, TCU; Round 2 -- Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech; Round 3 -- Theus; Round 4 -- Eric Striker, OLB, Oklahoma; Round 5 -- Day; Round 6 -- Taylor; Round 7a -- Drew Kaser, P, Texas A&M; Round 7b -- Kris Frost, ILB, Auburn.)
Chad Reuter of NFL.com (April 22): Round 1 -- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "OK, how far is this guy going to fall? I'm not sure . . . but whichever team picks him will like what it gets. The Vikings took advantage of a falling star when they selected quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Maybe they'll find another gem this year."; Round 2 -- Joshua Perry, OLB, Ohio State; Round 3 -- Jordan Jenkins, DE, Georgia; Round 4 -- Rees Odhiambo, OL, Boise State; Round 5 -- Ken Crawley, CB, Colorado; Round 6 -- Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida; Round 7a -- Moritz Boehringer, Germany; Round 7b -- Marquis Lucas, OT, West Virginia. (Previously: Round 1 -- Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.; Round 2 -- Darian Thompson, S, Boise State; Round 3 -- Perry; Round 4 -- Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State.)
Cris Collinsworth of Pro Football Focus (April 22): Chris Jones, DT, Minnesota. "This is a non-traditional pick for Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer, but I'm going to do it anyway. Jones is a huge guy with poor technique who I think Zimmer can coach into a first-class player." (Previously: Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State.)
Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (April 22): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "The Vikings lack a true possession receiver, and they'll have a chance to pick among the best of the bunch. Also keep an eye on TCU receiver Josh Doctson here; both players have strong hands and route-running ability." (Previously: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State.)
Todd McShay of ESPN.com Insider (April 21): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "With outstanding hand-eye coordination and body control, Treadwell is highly effective on contested throws and jump balls. He'd give QB Teddy Bridgewater a receiver who can consistently win on short-to-intermediate throws. Great value at No. 23, too." (Previously: Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State.)
Michael Schottey, Forbes (April 21): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "Treadwell has taken some heat this draft season because he doesn't bring the triangle numbers (especially in terms of speed) that teams love from top receivers. I still think he's the best in the class though, and for the Vikings to get him this low in the draft is huge for them." (Previously: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State.)
Louis Riddick, ESPN.com Insider (April 21): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame.
Nate Davis of USAToday.com (April 21): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "He's got a shot to emerge as the best all-around wideout from this draft and could fulfill the Vikes' desire to open up their passing game in 2016." (Previously: Doctson.)
Jared Dubin of CBSSports.com (April 21): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame. "With Fuller and Stefon Diggs, the Vikes have the start of a real wide receiver corps for the first time in a while. It helps that they?ll have Adrian Peterson running behind an improved offensive line to give Teddy Bridgewater some better lanes through which to throw." (Previously: Fuller.)
John Harris of the Washington Post (April 21): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. "The Vikings might not have thought Treadwell would be on the board at this point, but he is and he's the selection. If the Vikings truly have a wide receiver for Teddy Bridgewater in their sights, there are plenty of them; in fact, all of them still on the board. TCU's Josh Doctson would satisfy the receiver itch as well, but Treadwell is a perfect fit in this offense."
Curtis Conway of NFL.com (April 21): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.
Brennan Smith and Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune (April 21): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "Teddy Bridgewater gets a new target in Doctson. He has the best body control in this draft at WR and will help the Vikings QB progress."
Mel Kiper and Todd McShay of ESPN Insider's head-to-head mock (April 21): Round 1 -- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi; Round 2 -- Darian Thompson, S, Boise State; Round 3 -- Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia.
Chris Burke of SI.com (April 20): Round 1 -- Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. "A Doctson-Stefon Diggs combo would set up Teddy Bridgewater to blow past his previous career bests."; Round 2 -- Darian Thompson, S, Boise State; Round 3 -- Kentrell Brother, LB, Missouri. (Previously: Doctson.)
Nick Klopsis of Newsday (April 20): Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor. "He would infuse some explosiveness into the Vikings' receiver corps, and his well-rounded skillset would make him a solid No. 1A for Bridgewater anywhere on the field."
Eric Galko of The Sporting News (April 20): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss. (Previously: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State.)
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