Fansided

2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Vikings could take in Round 1

By Rucker Haringey

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings gets sacked in the first quarter by Eddie Goldman #91 of the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings gets sacked in the first quarter by Eddie Goldman #91 of the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 01: Oklahoma Sooners tackle Cody Ford (#74) celebrates during the Big 12 Championship game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns on December 1, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 01: Oklahoma Sooners tackle Cody Ford (#74) celebrates during the Big 12 Championship game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns on December 1, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Cody Ford

There are certain prospects in the draft who seem destined for a particular NFL team. Ford might line up just that well with the Vikings. The nastiness he plays with is a quality that will appeal heavily to a coach like Zimmer.

Scouts are pretty split on whether or not Ford projects as a tackle or guard at the next level. Minnesota is an ideal landing spot for him because they need help at both spots. They can start him out as a road grader at right tackle, but if he struggles too much with edge rushers they can kick him inside to right guard.

Ford is a player who will almost certainly be available when Minnesota goes on the clock. In fact, the Vikings might try to trade down a few spots and accrue some additional draft capital before selecting the former Oklahoma star.

Zimmer’s offense needs a guy who can give the offensive line a real attitude. Ford is exactly that sort of player. He’s not going to be perfect as a rookie, but he’ll punish the opposition whenever he gets an opportunity. Don’t be shocked if he ends up donning purple as a rookie.

Home/Minnesota Vikings