Cynthia Frelund is NFL Network’s analytical expert and she put together a two-round mock draft based entirely on analytics based on wins the pick could net the team and position weakness (it seems like most teams should use this?).
With the Vikings’ first pick at No. 18, Frelund has the Vikings selecting Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. This is interesting because Simmons, who came out after his junior year, is recovering from a torn ACL. He certainly could be a first-round pick, but would it from a team like the Vikings who might not be as patient as other teams? Regardless, it certainly does fill a need with Sheldon Richardson signing with the Browns this offseason.
Our guy Luke Easterling has Simmons ranked as his sixth-ranked defensive tackle, so this might be a bit of a stretch.
With their second-round pick, Frelund has the Vikings selecting Penn State cornerback Amani Oruwariye. With Mike Zimmer’s love for cornerbacks, Holton Hill’s four-game suspension and the fact that Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander are in contract years, this is a move that makes sense, too. Oruwariye is Easterling’s fourth-ranked cornerback.
You can check out Frelund’s full mock draft here.
