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

By Joe Kipp

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)
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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ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 25: Kevin Woidke #63 of the Ohio State Buckeyes leaps to catch the ball is blocked by David Long #22 of the Michigan Wolverines first half on November 25, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 25: Kevin Woidke #63 of the Ohio State Buckeyes leaps to catch the ball is blocked by David Long #22 of the Michigan Wolverines first half on November 25, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Round 3, Pick 81, David Long, CB, Michigan

It’s time to start preparing for the future at cornerback. Yes, the Vikings drafted Mike Hughes in the first round in 2018. But Hughes only saw action in six games (two starts) before he tore his ACL in October. Then add in the fact that there’s been trade rumors surrounding Xavier Rhodes and his large contract, and Trae Waynes is entering the final year of his current deal. Holton Hill was also recently suspended for the first four games next season.

That’s why, with the 81st pick, Minnesota takes Michigan’s David Long in this scenario. Long is the type of cornerback the Vikings value; athletic with excellent cover skills. He can hold up in man-to-man and posed a great matchup against high-level competition. Long has been called the best cover corner in the draft by a few analysts.

"“He lacks height, length and makeup burst, but it is hard to find tape where those areas came back to haunt him very often. … He’s not as long, loose or fast as teams like, but he’s a consistent cover man with the talent to find reps early in his career.” – NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein"

Long posted outstanding results at the NFL Combine last month, running 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash, leaping 39.5 inches in the vertical jump and 120 inches in the broad jump and benching 15 reps of 225 pounds. His marks in the agility drills were even more impressive. Long posted a 6.45-second 3-cone drill time, along with a 3.97-second short-shuttle. Both times were the best among all defensive backs at the combine.

Long wouldn’t need to start right away, but could be a valuable asset in the future for the Vikings as a reliable insurance policy.

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