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The Minnesota Vikings hold the 11th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, and they have a handful of holes to fill in the first round. Though they added Mike Wallace from Miami, Greg Jennings departs and the young Charles Johnson is currently slated to start at wide receiver. After drafting Anthony Barr a year ago, the defensive focus likely shifts to the rest of the linebacker group where Audie Cole and Chad Greenway are the incumbents at the other two spots.
One area where the Vikings appear to be set, however, is quarterback, as Teddy Bridgewater had a fairly impressive rookie season. Filling the shoes of GM Rick Spielman for the APC mock is Evan "Tex" Western, and with the 11th pick, the Minnesota Vikings select...
DeVante Parker, wide receiver, Louisville
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 209 pounds
Combine 40 time: 4.45 seconds
It might seem like an obvious pick to match Bridgewater up with one of his favorite college targets, but this pick isn't about setting up a reunion. Parker is a darn good receiver, with all the physical tools to excel at the next level. He admittedly needs to clean up some of his route-running technique, but he shows the ability if not the consistency to win with technique. The Vikings will need that development as they look for a complete receiver, as Mike Wallace is essentially just a deep-ball threat while Cordarrelle Patterson continues to underwhelm.
There are no 4-3 linebackers who are worthy of a top-11 pick in this draft, leaving Parker as the best remaining overall prospect and the best fit for the Vikings.
Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
1 | TB | Jameis Winston | QB | Florida State |
2 | TEN | Leonard Williams | DT | USC |
3 | JAX | Amari Cooper | WR | Alabama |
4 | OAK | Randy Gregory | OLB/DE | Nebraska |
5 | WAS | Dante Fowler, Jr. | OLB | Florida |
6 | NYJ | Marcus Mariota | QB | Oregon |
7 | CHI | Vic Beasley | OLB | Clemson |
8 | ATL | Brandon Scherff | OT | Iowa |
9 | NYG | Kevin White | WR | West Virginia |
10 | STL | La'el Collins | OT | LSU |
11 | MIN | DeVante Parker | WR | Louisville |
12 | CLE |