Vikings Draft Big Board at the Combine

Yesterday, I took a look at how the quarterbacks of the 2014 NFL Draft class should currently stack up on the Vikings draft board. With the NFL Combine entering Day 2 today, next up will be the Vikings overall big board with the draft still over two months away.




Here's a look at how the Vikings big board should look right now, with their top 20 prospects listed, all of whom should be taken in the first round.

Note: This is not a ranking of the best players in the draft. It is a ranking as to how the Vikings would order prospects specifically based on the types of systems they run and the kind of players they want.

1. Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina - DE
2. Greg Robinson, Auburn - OT
3. Jake Matthews, Texas A&M - OT
4. Blake Bortles, UCF - QB
5. Sammy Watkins, Clemson - WR
6. Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville - QB
7. Khalil Mack, Buffalo - OLB
8. CJ. Mosley, Alabama - ILB
9. Hasean Clinton-Dix, Alabama - S
10. Anthony Barr, UCLA - OLB
11. Zach Martin, Notre Dame - OT/OG
12. Calvin Pryor, Louisville - S
13. Mike Evans, Texas A&M - WR
14. Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State - CB
15. Taylor Lewan, Michigan - OT
16. Kony Ealy, Missouri - DE
17. Eric Ebron, North Carolina - TE
18. Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh - DT
19. Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State - CB
20. Odell Beckham Jr., LSU - WR

Honorable Mentions:
Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama - OT
Louis Nix III, Notre Dame - DT
Ra'shede Hageman, Minnesota - DT
Jace Amaro, Texas Tech - TE
Timmy Jernigan, Florida State - DT

While these rankings are subject to change now until the draft, do not expect any major shifts because the college game tape for these players in the number one tool for evaluation. While a prospect may run a great 40 at the combine, that does not mean he will jump onto the big board if he did not show up on film.

These rankings are not based on need, which means interesting scenarios could play out if the Vikings have a top prospect at a position of strength fall to them. If Robinson, Matthews or Watkins fall to #8 and Bortles and Bridgewater are gone, expect the Vikings to trade their pick to the highest bidder.

Notes
Breakdown by Position:

• QB - 2
• RB - 0
• WR - 3
• OL - 5
• TE - 2
• DL - 6
• LB - 2
• CB - 2
• S - 2

Breakdown by Conference:

• SEC - 9
• ACC - 4
• Big 10 - 3
• AAC - 3
• Pac-12 - 2
• Big 12 - 2
• Independents - 2

Schools with multiple prospects on Big Board:

• Alabama - 3
• Louisville - 2
• Notre Dame - 2
• Texas A&M - 2