One last all-inclusive mock draft!
Now onto the new one
Gut feeling for quite a while has been that the Purple select Alijah Vera-Tucker instead of trading down. So the ideal situation would be finding a way to do both. But working without that flexibility mean AV-T was the guy at 14.
The final run-through gave one more surprise possibility as Texas DE Joseph Ossai was available at 78 for the first time. I would say that that makes him a low probability option for the team tomorrow but once again amplified the unpredictability. A more frequently-available player is Florida State's Janarius Robinson and he, like Ossai, has several of the traits that the team has proven to prefer so he got the nod.
The final two of the top-eight quarterbacks remained available when 90 came around. Depending on who turns out to be correct Davis Mills, Kellen Mond & Kyle Trask could all be selected by this point in the real thing. It won't surprise me one-bit if Minnesota gets into the second round to take one of those three so when given the chance I picked the guy that I've beaten the drum for over the last month+ - from College Station, TX to Eagen, MN.
If the Purple make all four of the selections in the fourth round they will get at least two impact players. Yes indeed, that is a prediction! The best way for them to get at least a 50% return is to take the truly best player available at 119 and let the chips fall how they may after that. In this case I consider DE Dayo Odeyingbo to be the top player.
There are a few positions worthy of consideration at 125 but ultimately settled on adding to the back-end of the defense. That could well result in another developmental safety joining the team but I opted to go with a cornerback - Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas.
Adding another competitor for guard or tackle reps would be welcomed by one and all but at this point there's only one who seems like a possible scheme fit. The converted defensive lineman needs more coaching but Illinois's Kendrick Green would have a better shot at developing than the previous young guys got.
The fourth pick of the round could also develop into a contributor as he watches Harrison Smith & Xavier Woods for a year. Hampered by a couple of flukey injuries at Cincy, S James Wiggins could redeem that last name in the Twin Cities!
At 157 another cornerback could be in play, possibly Marco Wilson from Florida but considering all the additions that were made from free agency I opted for offense and could see the team going that way as well. I would like it eve more if he slipped into the sixth but taking receiver/return-man Cade Johnson from SoDak St. at 157 would be another solid addition.
Wilson & safety Caden Sterns are still on the board at 168. If the team's intel gives them the impression that the same could happen on Saturday then they may wait to address those positions until this part of the draft.
Back to the closing-theme of offense, Oklahoma's Adrian Ealy would also need some time to learn but with the size of a tackle and fair athleticism he's one to watch for.
Another possible late-round receiver that could be a success is Illnois's Josh Imatorbhebhe but with all the WR talent that has been available late in every mock the Purple need to try and capitalize so that Justin Jefferson never becomes a one-man show!
Now, finally, the speculation can stop & the dreams will be realized!
Thanks for following along!
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