Minnesota Vikings: 7-Round 2019 NFL mock draft brings O-line help

By Joe Kipp | Apr 16, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 06: Julian Huff #20 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers pushes Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes out of bounds during the second quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 24: Trevor Knight #8 of the Texas A&M Aggies celebrates his touchdown with Erik McCoy #64 against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Round 2, Pick 50: Erik McCoy, IOL, Texas A&M

It’s no secret the Vikings need help on the offensive line, specifically the interior. After electing to take Fant in the first round, Rick Spielman grabs his guy in Erik McCoy to help shore up the Vikings’ O-line woes. McCoy is largely considered a top 50 prospect and one of the best offensive lineman in the 2019 draft.

With Riley Reiff manning the left tackle spot and Brian O’Neill securing the right side, Minnesota needs to focus on the interior. The athletic McCoy should help relieve that issue. Standing at 6-4 and 303 pounds, McCoy impressed at the NFL Combine by running a 4.89-second 40-yard dash and jumping 31 inches in the vertical leap. He’s been compared to Packers center Corey Linsley.

"“McCoy comes gift-wrapped in a thick, strong frame and proved he could hold up to both power (Dexter Lawrence) and athleticism (Quinnen Williams). With his ability match against base and sub-packages, McCoy could carry Day 2 draft value as a future starter.” – NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein"

McCoy could play either center or guard in the NFL, and the Vikings have a need at both spots. With Pat Elflein — who suffered a sophomore slump in 2018 — currently being the Vikings’ starting center, moving to guard could be beneficial. Elflein had extensive experience at guard at Ohio State, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea. This would allow McCoy to be a ‘plug and play’ starter at center right away.

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