By Alec Lewis
The Minnesota Vikings couldn’t have waited any longer to make a Day 2 pick. That’s not hyperbole.
Minnesota traded its third-round pick (No. 97) to the Houston Texans for No. 102, which was the final selection Friday night. The Vikings used the pick on Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton. Two picks — Nos. 139 and 142 (via the Texans) — remain.
The Vikings could target the defensive line, running back and tight end on Day 3. Here are the best remaining players for Minnesota.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Edge/DT, Georgia
The Vikings already have six likable defensive tackles on the roster: Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Harrison Phillips, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez and Taki Taimani. Drafting another might leave an odd man out, so Minnesota must weigh the ramifications of cutting one of these players.
Still, the decision-makers could deem Ingram-Dawkins worthwhile. He is a bit of a wild-card selection in that he was not overwhelmingly productive in college, tallying just 37 career tackles and four sacks. He’s lighter, but defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves versatility, and Ingram-Dawkins could play every spot on the defensive front.
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Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA
Cornerbacks with this combination of size and speed don’t come around often. Frazier, a 6-foot-2, 186-pounder, doesn’t have trouble tracking the ball downfield, either. His body type and play style aren’t too different from Khyree Jackson, whom the Vikings drafted last year. The questions to consider: How far will Frazier fall? And how much do the Vikings feel they need to draft a cornerback with youngsters Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern in the room? The answers to both could sway whether Minnesota targets him.
Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
The Vikings don’tnecessarily need a running back, but Smith isn’t your typical back. He played receiver for three years in college and returned kicks. Combine the versatile skill set with his running potential (he rushed for more than 1,300 yards at SMU), and Minnesota could infuse its roster with an intriguing weapon for head coach Kevin O’Connell to deploy.
Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
Does Minnesota need a running back? No, not after acquiring Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers. That said, Ty Chandler is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has never played consistently enough to earn the offensive staff’s full trust. Brooks is a hammerhead, a 5-foot-10, 220-pound bowling ball who ran for more than 1,500 yards in two straight college seasons. He is also represented by Minneapolis-based agency IFA.
Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pittsburgh
Losing tight end Johnny Mundt to the Jacksonville Jaguars leaves a void for the No. 3 tight end role. The Vikings must think seriously about addressing this position because of T.J. Hockenson’s and Josh Oliver’s injuries in recent years. Bartholomew is a former team captain who tracks the ball well and played on special teams.
Benjamin Yurosek, TE, Georgia
Yurosek visited Minnesota during the draft process. He’s similar to Bartholomew, though he might not have as much upside as a receiver. Yurosek is a winner hailing from a competitive program who would blend in well with the current makeup of the tight end room.
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Craig Woodson, S, California
Most expected the Vikings to target a safety in the draft. The Vikings, though, felt confident in Harrison Smith and Theo Jackson as starters in the deep half with Josh Metellus roving around underneath. Woodson won’t blow away any explosiveness metrics, but he was a rock-solid player for Cal coach Justin Wilcox, who pushed for former Vikings safety Cam Bynum.
Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
Are the measurables perfect? No. Bryant hovers around 6 feet and 180 pounds. Is he the fastest cornerback in the draft? Also no. Bryant’s overall burst leaves something to be desired. The instincts, competitiveness and ability to read plays in off coverage? That’s where he thrives. Frazier would likely be the preference, but Bryant would also strengthen the competitiveness of the cornerback room.
(Photo of Brashard Smith: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
Alec Lewis is a staff writer covering the Minnesota Vikings for The Athletic. He grew up in Birmingham, Ala., and has written for Yahoo, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Kansas City Star, among many other places. Follow Alec on Twitter @alec_lewis
