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Vikings 2018 SeasonVikings 2019 OffseasonU.S. Bank StadiumMinnesota Vikings PodcastsMinnesota Vikings 2019 NFL DraftChris’ Minnesota Vikings Mock v2.0: You Only Mock TwiceNew Infant Dru Samia Jersey ,62commentsAnother trip into the breachCSTShareTweetShareShareChris’ Minnesota Vikings Mock v2.0: You Only Mock TwiceThe name is Spielman. . .Rick Spielman.Yes, it is once again time for yours truly to fire up the FanSpeak On the Clock mock draft simulator and take another run at what a potential draft for the Minnesota Vikings could look like this April. As we did last year, Ted and I have been taking turns doing this, and we’ll be putting all of these mocks into a stream for you to find them all easily for comparison’s sake. For now, you can check out Ted’s first mock and his second mock, as well as my first mock, at those links there.So, let’s get into the mock for this week, shall we?This week, to change things up a bit, we’re going to use the Big Board from the folks at DraftTek. Again, I’ll likely change things up for this to give a few different perspectives and generate some different outcomes. I’ve also selected “Random” for what big boards the other teams should use, and set the difficulty to “Classic.”As the draft gets underway, here are the picks the Vikings currently possess, as the folks from FanSpeak have already projected Compensatory selections.Before the festivities get underway, I get two proposals, one of which presents an interesting conundrum.I’m going to completely ignore the Bengals’ offer, because again I have no interest in moving up here and certainly not at the expense of my second round pick. However, the Packers’ offer presents an interesting issue. Green Bay already has their first round pick at #12 overall, and they’re offering the pick they got from New Orleans last year and their second rounder to move up 12 spots.According to ye olde draft chart, the 18th pick is worth 900 points, while the value of #30 and #44 is a combined 980 points. So, from that perspective, I would be coming out ahead if I made that deal. On the other hand, it would allow a division rival to move up and potentially snag a piece that could help push them back into contention. It’s something that you probably wouldn’t see in the actual NFL Draft, but you know. . .this isn’t the actual NFL Draft, so let’s roll with it and accept Green Bay’s offer.So, now our first selection is at #30, and by the time it comes around, here’s what the Big Board looks like:The DrafTek Big Board doesn’t appear to value offensive linemen very highly. At this point, four have gone off the board (Jonah Williams to Green Bay at #11, Greg Little to Carolina at #16, Jawaan Taylor to Seattle at #21, and Martez Ivey to Houston at #23). Again, it looks like the sweet spot for offensive linemen is going to be Round 2, so that extra second we snagged is going to come in handy.So, with that in mind, and with the thinking that we’re going to address our primary need in the second round, let’s see if we can’t add a weapon for our offense.Round 1, Pick #30 (from Green Bay) - Noah Fant, TE, IowaFant is the sort of tight end that is going to present nightmare-level matchup problems for NFL defenses. Offenses in the NFL are becoming more friendly to “flex” targets, and Fant is just the sort of player that fits that bill. Fant might be the best athlete available in this draft at the tight end spot, and with the future of Kyle Rudolph in a bit of doubt for the Vikings, Fant could very easily be his replacement in a very short time.On to Round 2 we go, and as our new selection comes up at #44, I get a couple of trade offers.While both of these offers are intriguing, to be sure, this is the time to start hitting the offensive line need Dru Samia Jersey nfl draft , and there are players that have fallen to this spot that will fill that need. Yes, we pick again at #50, but since we need two offensive linemen (at a minimum), I’d rather see if I can get both of those taken care of here rather than risk missing out like we saw happen in the 2018 Draft. So, I turn down both offers and make my selection.So, here’s what our board looks like:There are some very good offensive line prospects here, and rather than doing what I did in the last mock and draft someone that’s probably going to have to change positions, let’s just address the biggest need.Round 2, Pick #44 (from Green Bay) - Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston CollegeLindstrom isn’t a prospect that’s going to make anyone say “wow,” necessarily, but there really aren’t any flaws in his game. He’s got very good size (6’4”, 305) and movement skills, and would appear to have the ability to step in and start at either guard spot for the Vikings. He’s played tackle for Boston College in stretches as well, but would certainly be an immediate starter for Kevin Stefanski’s offense.Since the board hasn’t changed much when we get to #50, let’s fill the other guard spot, shall we?Round 2, Pick #50 - Dalton Risner, G, Kansas StateRisner had a very good outing at the Senior Bowl a couple of weeks ago, doing an outstanding job against projected first-round pick Montez Sweat, among others. Risner has been among the best offensive linemen in college football for the past couple of seasons, and like Lidstrom would immediately step in and start at guard for the Vikings, in my opinion. That would likely make the Vikings’ 2019 starting offensive line (from left to right):Riley Reiff - Dalton Risner - Pat Elflein - Chris Lindstrom - Brian O’NeillI don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty damn good to me.On to the third round, and no trade proposals come in for our spot, so we’re back on the clock at pick #81. Here’s what the board looks like:Well, when the guy you took at #18 in your first mock is sitting there at #81 in your second one, you have to take him, right?Round 3, Pick #81 - Devin Bush, LB, MichiganIf you want my thoughts on Devin Bush, I’ve got them in my first mock. I don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance that he’s available to anyone in the third round, but hey. . .you play the cards you’re dealt, right?We’re on to “Day 3” of our virtual mock, and a couple of trade proposals come in.There’s nobody that intrigues me enough to move up for in this round, as far as I can see, but I can always Spielman my way into an extra pick, so let’s take Philadelphia’s offer and drop a few spots to pick up another fourth. That means we now have six more picks. . .two fourths, two sixths, and two sevenths. . .giving us the “magic number” of ten.When we get on the board at #127, here’s what things look like:In a Minnesota Vikings’ tradition in the vein of Ray Edwards, Brian Robison, and Everson Griffen, let’s grab an edge rusher in the fourth round.Round 4, Pick #127 (from Philadelphia) - Anthony Nelson, DE Replica Dru Samia Jersey , IowaNelson had a solid season for the Hawkeyes in 2018 with 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. He’s someone that should be able to work his way into the rotation for the Vikings relatively early on.With our second pick in this round, let’s swing back to the offense with a pick that could, eventually, pay off huge.Round 4, Pick #139 (from Philadelphia) - Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio StateI’m not sure where, exactly, Campbell would fit in the Vikings’ offense, but for a player like this, you find room. Campbell has all sorts of speed and could be used in any number of ways. He does have some issues with drops, but again. . .he could be a huge get at this point in the draft.We’ve got a long wait to our next selection, which comes at #192 overall in the sixth round. Here’s a look at the updated board:Again, virtual Mike Zimmer wants a corner, and that’s still showing as one of our needs in the simulator here, so let’s fill that spot.Round 6, Pick #192 - Jamel Dean, CB, AuburnDean is a big corner (6’2”, 205) who had a very good season for the Tigers in 2018 despite playing all year with a cast on one hand. He projects best as a press-man corner, and I think we can safely assume that the Vikings can find a spot for him there.With our second pick in the round, we’re going to take a guy that the Vikings might not be able to use that much this year, but if they can stash him away and get him healthy he could be a big-time contributor down the road.Round 6, Pick #210 - Bryce Love, RB, StanfordLove was a Heisman Trophy contender in 2017, and his numbers dropped in 2018 as defenses were able to focus more heavily on him. He tore his ACL in December and likely isn’t going to be ready to do much this season, but he’s the sort of player that could pay huge dividends for the Vikings going forward when he gets healthy.On to the final round, with our two picks coming at the tail end of things. When we finally get back on the board at #249, here’s what we’re looking at.Our “needs” list says we need a safety, so let’s grab one.Round 7, Pick #249 - Chris Johnson, S, North AlabamaGotta be honest. . .I don’t know a heck of a lot about the guy, but he’s the only safety left of any note, so let’s grab him.Last. . .literally, last, because this pick would be “Mr. Irrelevant”. . .I’m going off the board to fill the backup quarterback spot.Round 7, Pick #254 - Easton Stick, QB, North Dakota StateWe finish things off with the second-best quarterback in Bison history. . .behind Brock Jensen, naturally.So, that’s this mock, ladies and gentlemen. Here’s a look at who I wound up with during this session.If you want to check out the entire draft, you can check it out right here on the FanSpeak website.So, what do you think of my second mock draft of the offseason, folks? Every week, the Green Bay Packers are like any other NFL team, sending video of officials' calls they didn't agree with to the league office for review.This week's will have one that undoubtedly the league already knows the team is unhappy with: Linebacker Clay Matthews' controversial roughing-the-passer penalty late in the fourth quarter Dru Samia Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , a call that wiped out a Packers interception and allowed the Minnesota Vikings to escape Lambeau Field with a 29-29 tie on Sunday.McCarthy said he and his coaching staff reviewed the tape of the game early Monday morning, and that they'll compile those plays they took issue with and send them on Monday night or Tuesday morning.Matthews was flagged for a 15-yard personal foul for roughing Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins with 1 minute, 37 seconds left and the Packers leading, 29-21.Instead of Jaire Alexander's interception that would have sealed a win for the Packers, they watched as Cousins threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thielen and completed a 2-point conversion to Stefon Diggs to force overtime.Neither team scored in OT, with Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson missing a pair of field-goal attempts, including one as overtime expired. The Vikings cut Carlson Monday."I addressed it with the team. We don't focus on the uncontrollables. I don't focus on officiating," McCarthy said Monday. "We focus on the fundamentals (of tackling), doing things right 鈥?footwork, approach, strike and finish of any tackle."And I felt Clay did what he was asked to do. Obviously, they saw it differently. For me to sit here and dispute it is really a waste of everybody's time."Asked if he felt calls such as the one referee Tony Corrente made on Matthews should be subject to instant replay review, McCarthy said, "Well, I think anytime a play can change the game. ... We're not going to sit there and gripe and moan and count on them to get a call to win the game."But also, when you have a chance to reflect and evaluate, everybody's about trying to improve. We're no different. We give the feedback that's part of the process for the officiating department."Speaking to a pool reporter after the game, Corrente said Matthews was flagged because he took Cousins and "lifted him and drove him into the ground. ... It has nothing to do with the rule of full body weight. It has nothing to do with helmet to helmet. He picked the quarterback up and drove him into the ground."While McCarthy said it was incumbent on the Packers defense to respond to the call by still holding the Vikings, Matthews was clearly upset that the call went against him."If you aren't being biased, I think it was a legal hit. You can't help but think if you didn't have that call, how does this game go?," Matthews said. "At the same time, you're bewildered as far as what to think, what to do, how to feel. That's frustrating, no doubt about it."I know there's an emphasis on protecting quarterbacks, but it's gotten out of control. I don't know what else to do. It's frustrating because Jaire's interception, that's game, right?"Instead, they go down and score 鈥?overtime. We had opportunities to win the game, no doubt about it, but (it's) frustrating to allow a call which I feel like I did the right thing to influence the game."McCarthy said the Packers, who were flagged for only one roughing-the-passer penalty all of last season, have talked about how the plays are being officiated and are trying to adjust accordingly.McCarthy also acknowledged that a roughing-the-passer call on Minnesota's Eric Kendricks for hitting Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers appeared incorrect."It's definitely a topic. I mean, we've had four (penalties) in two weeks. Anytime patterns become abnormal, I mean, there's a reason behind it," McCarthy said. "The way that particular play is being officiated is different. But in Clay's particular case, I felt that he did what he was coached to do."You've got to make sure you're looking at all the variables. I'm not sure that all the variables are clear right now. You look at both of the penalties that were called in the game, the quarterbacks, they're trying to throw the ball."I think that's where a little bit of the gray area is in the judgment of the defender hitting the quarterback. Because I get what the goal is, and we're all for the goal being achieved. But in the same breath we've got to make sure it's not a competitive disadvantage to the pass rusher trying to hit the quarterback."NOTES: McCarthy said a holding penalty on guard Lane Taylor, which wiped out Jimmy Graham's touchdown catch also bothered him. "Frankly, I was more upset about that call than Clay's," McCarthy said. ... McCarthy didn't think Rodgers was any worse for wear after playing with a large brace to protect his injured left knee. "I mean he's obviously sore. That's to be expected," McCarthy said. "He's a warrior, just for what he gave us yesterday. (It) was outstanding. But I don't have a read on whether he's better this week than last week." ... McCarthy said he wouldn't know until Wednesday whether second-year cornerback Kevin King's groin injury is significant enough to keep him out of Sunday's game at Washington. King was out of the game when Cousins threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to get the Vikings going during the second half. "We're different when he's in there," McCarthy said of King.