As a consequence of winning their first division title since 2009, the Vikings will be picking outside the top dozen selections in the first round of the NFL draft for the first time in three years. It was no surprise when they used their top picks on linebacker Anthony Barr in 2014 and cornerback Trae Waynes last spring. It is much more difficult to pinpoint what they will do Thursday night.
Their lone glaring need heading into this year’s draft is at wide receiver. General Manager Rick Spielman insisted Tuesday at his annual pre-draft news conference that the Vikings are not locked into that position, but a cynic might think that it was a ploy to throw other teams off their scent.