When Rick Spielman steps on the podium in Eagan on Tuesday afternoon, to make his final public comments before the NFL draft starts on Thursday night, it would be well within character for the Vikings general manager to offer a playful jab at the popular consensus the Vikings must draft an offensive lineman in Round 1.
As the saying goes, though, there’s a grain of truth in every joke. And given Spielman’s track record, such a comment should register as more than bluster.
Last year, Brian O’Neill became only the third offensive lineman taken in the first two rounds by the Vikings since Spielman took control of the draft in 2007, but only after they opted for cornerback Mike Hughes in the first round to provide another option for Mike Zimmer’s defense.