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Minnesota Vikings: List of 2017 NFL Draft picks

By John Buhler

Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) looks on before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) looks on before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Vikings have eight picks in the 2017 NFL Draft to get better as a football. Here is when they are picking and what they could do with them.

Sometimes when it gets tough, you have to roll up your sleeves and trade for a quarterback that doesn’t roll up his sleeves. Despite losing starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a freak injury in practice for the season, the Minnesota Vikings were the last undefeated team in 2016 with Sam Bradford as their starting quarterback.

Well, as the weather changed and the sleeves of Bradford couldn’t keep the shivering Vikings offensive line warm for the winter, the Vikings season collapsed to a .500 campaign, resulting in a third-place finish in the NFC North and a missed playoff berth.

Minnesota will not have a first-round pick this spring, as the Vikings traded it to the Philadelphia Eagles to get ace up their sleeves. However, Minnesota will have eight picks to improved their football team this fall. Here is the order with which Vikings general manager Rick Spielman will have to sweep with threshing oar.

Round 2 – 48th overall
Round 3 – 79th overall
Round 3 – 86th overall
Round 4 – 121st overall
Round 4 – 129th overall
Round 5 – 160th overall
Round 6 – 199th overall
Round 7 – 232nd overall

With long-time running back Adrian Peterson clearly not coming back to the team, look for the Vikings to go with a running back in either the second or third round. They made upgrades along the offensive line in free agency, but didn’t the Vikings do that last year and we all saw how that shook out.

Getting Bradford a few receiving weapons that can get open in press man will be huge for the Vikings passing game. He had statistically his best year as a professional. Bradford proved to be a very accurate quarterback in an ever-changing Norv Turner to Pat Shurmur offense.

Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick Of All-Time

Unless we catch wind of a Shurmur murmur of a mid-season departure, Minnesota will have its opportunity to contend for a playoff spot in the NFC North. This defense of Mike Zimmer’s should be fantastic once again. Let’s hope the Vikings offense can right the ship in 2017.

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