
I promise I won't come rushing to this space every time an NFL INSIDER (very serious tone) puts out a new mock draft, but … let's catch up to a couple of recent and interesting mocks in two parts — how they might challenge conventional wisdom about the Vikings' plans at No. 18, and what the significance of any prediction is at this point in the process.
OK, OK. Shut up, Rand, you're probably thinking. Tell us about the mock drafts.
The two of note from NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah (who put out his version 2.0 on Tuesday) and ESPN's Todd McShay (who crushed his competition by putting out version 3.0 on Wednesday) both have the Vikings taking a defensive player in the first round.
Jeremiah has Michigan linebacker Devin Bush going to Minnesota at that spot, while McShay has interior lineman Ed Oliver of Houston going to the purple (pictured above at the combine).
Vikings fans: BOOOOOOOOOOO. TAKE AN O-LINEMAN!
Jeremiah is succinct in his reasoning, noting "Anthony Barr is a free agent. Bush is a three-down linebacker with outstanding playmaking skills and leadership ability."
McShay has a longer explanation that rests on both value and potential need: "Value, value, value. Oliver is one of the top 10 players in the class. So although offensive line is a more glaring immediate need here, the Vikings could plug Oliver into the middle of that defensive line between Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter and create headaches for offensive coordinators. He's a perfect replacement for free agent Sheldon Richardson.
At least McShay has the decency to address the elephant in the room: the Vikings' offensive line need.