Final Vikings mock draft roundup: Offensive lineman a popular choice

The NFL draft is finally upon us, which means one last look at who the prognosticators around the web think the Minnesota Vikings will select.

We’ve compiled 70 mock drafts, all of which have been recently updated (we hope to add more Thursday, so bookmark this and check back).

When it comes to Minnesota’s first-round pick, the majority of mockers think the Vikings will go with an offensive lineman in the first round (see below for the final tally). Who will be right? We’ll find out soon enough.

All the mocks are listed below — some are more than one round and noted accordingly. If we used the mock last time we’ve also given the previous pick so you see how fickle these mocks can be over time.

And now, our final mock draft roundup for the Minnesota Vikings:

Joel Klatt of FOX Sports: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

Peter King of The MMQB: Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP. “The Vikings can plug holes here rather than seek the best available player, regardless of position. The guard group for Minnesota is its biggest weakness (possible starters: Nick Easton, Tom Compton), and Hernandez, many scouts think, is a plug-and-play day one starter with the kind of mean streak in the running game that will make him an immediate favorite of the pugnacious Mike Zimmer. I love this pick for them.”

Doug Farrar of Bleacher Report: Donte Jackson, CB, LSU. “If they stay at this pick instead of trading down, it would be fascinating to see what Donte Jackson would look like in a defense that is already stacked from front to back. The 5’10”, 178-pounder, who ran a hand-timed 4.28 and official 4.32 40-yard dash at the combine, plays that fast on the field and has excelled at outside cornerback, slot defender and free safety. Some may think it’s a luxury pick, but when you’ve built your team as well as the Vikings, luxury picks can turn into indispensable players pretty quickly.”

John Harris of the Washington Post: Connor Williams, G/T, Texas. “The Vikings started their offensive line reconstruction in 2017, signing tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers and drafting center Pat Elflein. However, it was clear in the NFC championship game that there’s still renovation work to be done on that quintet. Enter Williams. There’s not an opening at tackle but Williams would be an upgrade at either guard position.”

Danny Kelly of The Ringer: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida. “Bryan didn’t have the production you’d hope for in a first-round pick (just 5.5 sacks in three seasons), but he does have something every defensive line coach covets: elite first-step explosiveness. With Sheldon Richardson on a one-year deal, the Vikings need to invest in the future at the interior defensive line; Bryan’s a bit of a bull in a china shop as a pass rusher, but he’s got the athletic ability to develop into a productive player.” (Previously: Bryan)

Mike Tanier of Bleacher Report: Trade down, out of first round.

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today: Connor Williams, G/T, Texas. “A savvy protector, he could be a quick fill-in at guard with potential to be a left tackle down the road.” (Previously: James Daniels, C/G, Iowa)

Dan Kadar of SB Nation: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia. “If Wynn slips, the Vikings shouldn’t hesitate to pick him up at No. 30. Wynn can help protect the investment in Kirk Cousins and could play guard or tackle in the NFL.” (Previously: Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State)

Peter Schrager of NFL.com (3 rounds): Round 1 — Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State; Round 2 — Braden Smith, G, Auburn; Round 3 — Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State.

Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame. “McGlinchey has a varied value in the first round depending on whom you ask, but Minnesota is not as set on the offensive line as much as you think. McGlinchey could start right away at right tackle and allow the team to put Mike Remmers in a more comfortable position at guard.”

Bryan Fischer of Athlon Sports: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP. (Previously: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.)

Nate Davis of USA Today: Connor Williams, G/T, Texas. “Pick him, put him in a battle with Mike Remmers for the right tackle job, and then plug the “loser” into one of the guard spots.” (Previously: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame.)

Josh McGonigal and Josh Moyer of the Centre Daily Times (3 rounds): Round 1 — Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame; Round 2 — n/a; Round 3 — Geron Christian, OT, Louisville.

Walter Cherepinsky of WalterFootball.com (7 rounds): Round 1 — Mike Hughes, CB, UCF; Round 2 — Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays State; Round 3 –Nyheim Hines, RB, North Carolina State; Round 5 — Alex Cappa, OT/G, Humboldt State; Round 6a — Jack Cichy, LB, Wisconsin; Round 6b — Davontae Harris, CB, Illinois; Round 6c — Quentin Poling, LB, Ohio; Round 7 — Jake Wieneke, WR, South Dakota State. (Previously, 6 rounds: Round 1 — Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP; Round 2 — Shepherd; Round 3 — Deontay Burnett, WR, USC; Round 5 –Kyle Fitts, DE, Utah; Round 6a –Dominick Sanders, S, Georgia; Round 6b — Cichy; Round 6c — Riley Ferguson, QB, Memphis)

Ryan Dunleavy of NJ Advance Media (2 rounds): Round 1 – No pick, trade out of first round; Round 2a (trade with Giants) — James Daniels, C, Iowa; Round 2b — Rasheem Green, DE, USC.

Scott Dochterman of Land of 10 (7 rounds): Round 1 — Connor Williams, OT, Texas; Round 2 — Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan; Round 3 — Justin Reid, S, Stanford; Round 5 — Shaq Griffin, LB, UCF; Round 6a — Jake Wieneke, WR, South Dakota State; Round 6b — Will Dissly, TE, Washington; Round 6c — John Kelly, RB, Tennessee; Round 7 — Marcus Frazier, DE, Missouri.

Draftek (7 rounds): Round 1 — Connor Williams, G/T, Texas; Round 2 — Donte Jackson, CB, LSU; Round 3 — Ito Smith, RB, Southen Miss; Round 5 — Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State; Round 6a — De’Asian Richardson, DL, Louisville; Round 6b — Azeem Victor, ILB, Washington; Round 6c — Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, OLB/DE, Toledo; Round 7 — Tyquan Lewis, OLB/DE, Ohio State. (Previously: Round 1 — Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida; Round 2 — Scott Quessenberry, OG, UCLA; Round 3 — Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn; Round 5 — Allan Lazard, WR, Iowa State; Round 6a — Tyquan Lewis, DE/OLB, Ohio State; Round 6b — Breeland Speaks, DL, Mississippi; Round 6c — Greg Gilmore, DL, LSU; Round 7 — Alex McGough, QB, Florida International)

Joe Marino of NDT Scouting: James Daniels, C, Iowa. “Daniels is a physical and athletic interior blocker with the outstanding Iowa offensive line pedigree. His ability to win in space and reach landmarks is rare on the move which is complemented by his power components. Pairing him with rookie standout Pat Elflein will solidify Minnesota’s offensive line after years of it being a weakness.”

Brad Briggs of the Chicago Tribune: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State.

Josh Norris of Rotoworld: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

Jeff Risdon of Real GM (3 rounds): Round 1 — Will Hernandez, G, UTEP; Round 2 — Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis; Round 3 — Braden Smith, G, Auburn.

Chad Reuter of NFL.com’s CFB 24/7 (7 rounds): Round 1 — Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame; Round 2 — Billy Price, C, Ohio State; Round 3 — Tre’Quan Smith, WR, UCF; Round 5 — Dalton Schultz, TE, Stanford; Round 6a — Justin Jackson, RB, Northwestern; Round 6b — Chase Litton, QB, Marshall; Round 6c — Natrell Jamerson, S, Wisconsin; Round 7 — Marquis Haynes, LB, Mississippi. (Previously, 5 rounds: Round 1 — Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State. “New quarterback Kirk Cousins loves throwing to tight ends. Pairing Gesicki with Kyle Rudolph at TE should work well.”; Round 2 — Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State; Round 3 –Darius Leonard, CB, Illinois State; Round 5 — Trey Quinn, WR, SMU)

Gentry Estes of the Louisville Courier-Journal: Connor Williams, OT, Texas. (Previously: Isaiah Wynn, OL, Georgia.)

Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com: Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State. (Previously: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama.)

Kevin Duffy of Masslive.com: Round 1 — Isaiah Wynn, G/T, Georgia; Round 2 — Dorance Armstrong, DE/LB, Kansas.

Connor Riley of SEC Country: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia. “Wynn had a great senior season with Georgia and followed it up with a dominant Senior Bowl.  Guard is one of the few areas the Vikings could get better after adding Kirk Cousins in the off-season.” (Previously: Billy Price, G/C, Ohio State.)

Wayne Staats of Land of Ten: Billy Price, G/C, Ohio State. (Previously: Price)

Daryl Slater of NJ.com (2 rounds): Round 1 — Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa; Round 2 — Nathan Shepherd, DL, Fort Hays State. (Previously: Round 1 – Maurice Hurst, DL, Michigan; Round 2 — Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State.)

The Associated Press: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com (7 rounds): Round 1 — Mike Hughes, CB, UCF; Round 2 — Connor Williams, OT, Texas; Round 3 — Jaylen Samuels, RB, North Carolina State; Round 5 — Nick Gates, OT, Nebraska; Round 6a — Jake Wieneke, WR, South Dakota State; Round 6b — Jack Cichy, OLB, Wisconsin; Round 6c — Davontae Harris, CB, Illinois State; Round 7 — Quentin Poling, OLB, Ohio. (Previously, 4 rounds: Round 1 — Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP; Round 2 — Rasheem Green, DE, USA; Round 3 — M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina)

Charles Davis of NFL.com: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP.

Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

Anthony Licciardi of Breaking Football (7 rounds): Round 1 — Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame; Round 2 — Billy Price, G/C, Ohio State; Round 3 — Terrell Edmunds, S, Virginia Tech; Round 5 — JoJo Wicker, OLB, Arizona State; Round 6a — Christian Campbell, CB, Penn State; Round 6b — Zachary Crabtree, OT, Oklahoma State; Round 6c — Tre’ Williams, LB, Auburn; Round 7 — Kentavious Street, DT, North Carolina State.

Paul M. Banks of The Sports Bank: Connor Williams, G/T, Texas. (Previously: Williams)

Chris Simms of Bleacher Report: James Daniels, C, Iowa. “The Minnesota Vikings are another team without many glaring needs. The biggest thing they should address is the interior offensive line. The Vikings aren’t especially weak there, but Joe Berger’s retirement does create a hole. This is why it makes sense to add Iowa’s James Daniels. While Daniels primarily played center in college, he did play some guard and appears willing to play the position in the NFL. Daniels is a phenomenal player. He has an explosive first step and great hand usage, and he’s a force at the point of attack. He is easily one of the top interior linemen in the draft, and he got a lot of useful experience playing in Iowa’s pro-style offense. I’d rather move Daniels to guard, then add another remaining guard or experiment with moving a guy like Isaiah Wynn from tackle to guard. Adding him would plug one of the few holes Minnesota has.”

Adam Stites of SB Nation: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP. “The Vikings landed their crown jewel of the offseason by signing Kirk Cousins, but now it’s time for the less sexy part. Minnesota needs to stock up on beef up front and it doesn’t get much beefier than the 6’2, 327-pound mauler, Hernandez, who comes with a neck roll for peak nastiness. The Vikings will have more work to do on the line still, but this is a great start.”

Joe Giglio of NJ Advance Media: James Daniels, C, Iowa.

Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead: Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas. (Previously: Harold Landry, OLB/DE, Boston College.)

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Daily News: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP.

Les Bowen of phillynews.com: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

Paul Domowitch of phillynews.com: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville.

Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

Bob Condotta and Larry Stone of the Seattle Times: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP.

Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News: Connor Williams, G/T, Texas. “It wasn’t that long ago that Minnesota’s offensive line was viewed as a bottom 10 unit. Mike Zimmer’s big eaters overachieved last year, but upgrades are needed. Williams will be a plug-and-play interior lineman with the hope that he can transition to tackle.”

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

Ben Volin of the Boston Globe: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State.

Matthew Glenesk of the Indianapolis Star: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

Thor Nystrom of Rotoworld: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

Chris Trapasso of CBSSports.com: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA. (Previously: Miller)

Rhett Lewis of NFL Network: Connor Williams, G/T, Texas.

Tab Bamford of Chicago Now (5 rounds): Round 1 — Connor Williams, G/T, Texas; Round 2 — Equanimeous Brown, WR, Notre Dame; Round 3 — Breeland Speaks, DE, Mississippi; Round 5 — J’Von Moore, WR, Missouri.

Mike Grimala and Case Keefer of the Las Vegas Sun: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama.

Vincent Bonisgnore of the L.A. Daily News/OC Register: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA.

Justin Rogers of the Detroit News: Connor Williams, G/T, Texas. (Previously: Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida.)

Dane Brugler of Dallas Morning News/NFL Draft Scout: Will Hernandez, DT, UTEP. (Previously: Hernandez)

Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free-Press: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan.

MyNFLDraft.com: Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State.

Josh Friedman of the Cherry Hill Courier Post: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP.

Steven Ruiz of For the Win: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado. “With so many talented defenders headed toward free agency, the Vikings are going to be forced to let some of their starters leave in the next few years. Trae Waynes will likely be one of those guys. Drafting Oliver, a long corner who can play man or zone, will make the decision easier.”

Eddie Brown of the San Diego Union-Tribune (7 rounds): Round 1 –Will Hernandez, G, UTEP; Round 2 — Donte Jackson, CB, LSU; Round 3 — B.J. Hill, DT, North Carolina State; Round 5 — Jaylen Samuels, RB, North Carolina State; Round 6a — Johnny Townsend, P, Florida; Round 6b — Jason Cabinda, ILB, Penn State; Round 6c — Nic Shimonek, QB, Texas Tech; Round 7a — Kylie Fitts, DE, Utah; Round 7b — Brandon Facyson, CB, Virginia Tech.

Curtis Conway of NFL.com: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

D.J. Boyer of Draft Site (7 rounds): Round 1 — Will Hernandez, G, UTEP; Round 2 — D.J. Chark, WR, LSU; Round 3 — Dalton Schultz, TE, Stanford; Round 5 — Davontae Harris, CB, Illinois State; Round 6a — Folorunso Fatukasi, DT, UConn; Round 6b — Steve Ishmael, WR, Syracuse; Round 6c — Eddie Pineiro, K, Florida; Round 7 — Viane Talamaivo, G, USC. (Previously: Round 1 — Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn; Round 2 — D.J. Chark, WR, LSU; Round 3 — Geron Christian, OT, Louisville; Round 5 — Javon Wims, WR, Georgia; Round 6a — Mark Walton, RB, Miami; Round 6b — Damon Webb, S, Ohio State; Round 6c — Allen Lazard, WR, Iowa State; Round 7 — n/a.)

Ourlads: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF.

Will Brinson, CBSSports.com: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville.

Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF. (Previously: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado)

John McClain and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle: McClain — Will Hernandez, G, UTEP; Wilson — Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia. (Previously: McClain — Hernandez; Wilson — Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville)

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia.

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com’s CFB 24/7: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia. (Previously: Lorenzo Carter, LB, Georgia)

FIRST-ROUND PICK TALLY

Isaiah Wynn – 16
Will Hernandez – 12
Connor Williams – 11
Mike Hughes – 4
Mike McGlinchey – 4
Jaire Alexander – 3
James Daniels – 3
Billy Price – 3
Dallas Goedert – 2
Kolton Miller – 2
Trade out – 2
Taven Bryan – 1
Lorenzo Carter – 1
Ronnie Harrison – 1
Maurice Hurst – 1
Donte Jackson – 1
Josh Jackson – 1
Isaiah Oliver – 1
Frank Ragnow – 1
Leighton Vander Esch – 1
Dave Heller is the author of Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth’s Shadow (a Larry Ritter Book Award nominee), Facing Ted Williams – Players From the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns