Most NFL Draft analysts believed that when the Minnesota Vikings traded for wide receiver Mike Wallace it meant they wouldn't be targeting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's favorite target at Louisville, DeVante Parker. That was probably the right call as the Vikings have since been heavily linked to Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes with the eleventh overall pick. But Wallace's presence doesn't mean Minnesota is going to completely neglect the wide receiver position which is especially deep in this draft. The team has the utmost confidence in Bridgewater's ability which means he can never have too many weapons.
That is why ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projects the Vikings to select Missouri wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham with the 45th pick in the draft.
"In Round 2, I'm taking what I consider an educated bet on a big-time talent with Green-Bekcham," Kiper wrote. "Teddy Bridgewater gains a big-time red zone target in the 6-foot-5 athlete with a frame reminiscent of Calvin Johnson, but we're really going to need to coach DGB up when it comes to route running, where he's as raw as any WR in the draft."
As Kiper noted, Green-Beckham has rare physical gifts and a lot of natural ability, but he lacks the fundamentals of a lot of other receiver prospects in this draft. What's more, DGB has significant off-field issues that got him kicked off the team at Missouri and sidelined him for the entire 2014 season. Still, his raw talent is incredibly enticing. So much so, in fact, that he's even been linked to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans in the first round of the draft.
The Vikings may have to fend off a few other teams to ensure they get their guy.
