NFL Draft 2019: Minnesota Vikings full mock draft

By Joe Romano | Apr 1, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 18: Stefon Diggs #14 and Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings speak during warmups before the preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 18, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Khalen Saunders of Western Illinois in action during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Round 3 – Pick 81

Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois

A big loss for the Vikings team on defense was defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. They watched him leave to sign a long-term deal with the Cleveland Browns. Minnesota probably felt comfortable because of the presence of Linval Joseph and the depth of the defensive tackle position in the NFL draft. Currently slotted to start next to Joseph is any one of the three between former fourth round pick in 2017 Jaleel Johnson, fourth round pick in 2018 Jalyn Holmes and practice squad player Shamar Stephen. While Johnson and Holmes offer upside, they need another body along that rotation.

Khalen Saunders of Western Illinois is a riser throughout the draft process and would be a smart pick-up by Minnesota. Saunders made waves for his back-flipping ability in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. That may have went viral but his play is what NFL teams will love.

Saunders is a raw defensive lineman prospect who won, in college and at the Senior Bowl, with incredible physical traits. He’s the definition of a “dancing bear” who at 320 pounds can move like a linebacker. Minnesota would be able to rotate the bodies at defensive tackle until one pops. That is most likely Saunders whose physical traits are better than anyone else in that rotation.

This is a spot where the Vikings could also grab an impact tight end to prepare for life after Kyle Rudolph. However they invested a fifth round pick in Tyler Conklin last year and he will likely get the first crack at being the long-term answer. It is hard to envision this pick being a tight end with Conklin there and the depth of the class.

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