By Chris Tomasson
St. Paul Pioneer Press
In his first draft as an NFL coach, Mike Zimmer might not have been thoroughly ready for what he saw from Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. But Spielman said it simply was par for the course.
Spielman has earned a reputation for being a freewheeling dealer during the draft, and that continued with his latest one. The Vikings ended up drafting 10 players for the third time in four years in the seven-round event.
The Vikings had made two deals during the first two days of the draft. They made two more Saturday as they concluded a draft in which seven of their players selected were on defense.
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“Zim, I know Cincinnati’s not very big in moving around the draft, trading up, trading down, trading sideways,” Spielman said of Zimmer, who was the Bengals’ defensive coordinator before coming to Minnesota.
“This was a little bit of an experience for him. I said, ‘We’ll be fine. ... We’ll get good players.’ ”
The Vikings selected six players, five on defense, on a Saturday when rounds four through seven were held. That followed Thursday taking UCLA linebacker and Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the first round and on Friday selecting Oregon State defensive end Scott Crichton and Georgia Southern running back Jerick McKinnon.
Minnesota on Saturday took Stanford guard David Yankey in the fifth round, Virginia Tech safety Antone Exum and Maine cornerback Kendall James in the sixth round, and Connecticut defensive tackle Shamar Stephen, Georgia Tech linebacker Brandon Watts and North Carolina cornerback Jabari Price in the seventh round.
The Vikings had entered Saturday with four picks before swinging trades with Carolina and Atlanta to end up with six selections. They dealt a fifth-rounder to Carolina for a later fifth-rounder and a seventh-rounder and traded a fifth-rounder to Atlanta for a sixth- and a seventh-rounder.
“I was trying to get as many draft picks because of the depth of the draft,” said Spielman, who apparently really wanted to beef up his secondary as he took three defensive backs Saturday.
Most of his picks were used on defense as the Vikings seek to improve a unit that finished 31st last year in total defense. That follows the Vikings having concentrated on that side of the ball in free agency.
“That will yet to be determined,” Spielman said about how much the Vikings have improved defensively since last season. “I know we have upgraded athletically. We’re a lot younger on defense than we were last year.”
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The only offensive player signed in free agency was a reserve guard, and the highest offensive player taken in the draft was Bridgewater, who likely won’t play much next season. Spielman, though, said he’s unconcerned about the Vikings possibly not having added any new impact players to an offense that does return all 11 starters.
Spielman said Zimmer and offensive coordinator Norv Turner like many of the offensive players already in place. And Spielman expressed optimism about McKinnon helping the team next season.
As for the Vikings adding so many defensive players in the draft, Watts said it was exciting to see.
“It is,” he said. “With a lot of the new players on defense, it will help you adjust better and work harder because you have people just like you. Then try to get after it, and to contribute the best way you can.”
About the only offensive player the Vikings drafted Saturday, Spielman said Yankey was the top guy left on their board. Although he was drafted as a guard, Spielman said he likes the 6-foot-4, 314-pound Yankey being able to play multiple spots on the offensive line.
“They’re going to love this pick,” Stanford coach David Shaw said on NFL Network. “You put me in a corner, I’m putting him at right tackle. He’s got the length of a tackle.”
Yankey was one of seven players taken by the Vikings with picks they acquired through trades, while just three were taken with selections Minnesota had entering the draft. The Vikings got the pick used on Yankey when they traded down with Cleveland on Thursday from No. 8 to No. 9 in the first round and then took Barr.
The Pioneer Press is a media partner with Forum News Service.
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Team-by-Team Draft Picks
Key: round, overall pick, player, position, college
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
1 (9) Anthony Barr, lb, UCLA.
1 (32) Teddy Bridgewater, qb, Louisville.
3 (72) Scott Crichton, de, Oregon State.
3 (96) Jerick McKinnon, rb, Georgia Southern.
5 (145) David Yankey, ot, Stanford.
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6 (182) Antone Exum, db, Virginia Tech.
6 (184) Kendall James, db, Maine.
7 (220) Shamar Stephen, nt, UConn.
7 (223) Brandon Watts, lb, Georgia Tech.
7 (225) Jabari Price, db, North Carolina.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
1 (27) Deone Bucannon, db, Washington State.
2 (52) Troy Niklas, te, Notre Dame.
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3 (84) Kareem Martin, de, North Carolina.
3 (91) John Brown, wr, Pittsburg State.
4 (120) Logan Thomas, qb, Virginia Tech.
5 (160) Ed Stinson, de, Alabama.
6 (196) Walter Powell, wr, Murray State.
ATLANTA FALCONS
1 (6) Jake Matthews, ot, Texas A&M.
2 (37) Ra’Shede Hageman, de, Minnesota.
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3 (68) Dezmen Southward, db, Wisconsin.
4 (103) Devonta Freeman, rb, Florida State.
4 (139) Prince Shembo, lb, Notre Dame.
5 (147) Ricardo Allen, db, Purdue.
5 (168) Marquis Spruill, lb, Syracuse.
7 (253) Yawin Smallwood, lb, UConn.
7 (255) Tyler Starr, lb, South Dakota.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
1 (17) C.J. Mosley, lb, Alabama.
2 (48) Timmy Jernigan, dt, Florida State.
3 (79) Terrence Brooks, db, Florida State.
3 (99) Crockett Gillmore, te, Colorado State.
4 (134) Brent Urban, de, Virginia.
4 (138) Lorenzo Taliaferro, rb, Coastal Carolina.
5 (175) John Urschel, c, Penn State.
6 (194) Keith Wenning, qb, Ball State.
7 (218) Michael Campanaro, wr, Wake Forest.
BUFFALO BILLS
1 (4) Sammy Watkins, wr, Clemson.
2 (44) Cyrus Kouandjio, ot, Alabama.
3 (73) Preston Brown, lb, Louisville.
4 (109) Ross Cockrell, db, Duke.
5 (153) Cyril Richardson, g, Baylor.
7 (221) Randell Johnson, lb, FAU.
7 (237) Seantrel Henderson, ot, Miami.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
1 (28) Kelvin Benjamin, wr, Florida State.
2 (60) Kony Ealy, de, Missouri.
3 (92) Trai Turner, g, LSU.
4 (128) Tre Boston, db, North Carolina.
5 (148) Bene’ Benwikere, db, San Jose State.
6 (204) Tyler Gaffney, rb, Stanford.
CHICAGO BEARS
1 (14) Kyle Fuller, db, Virginia Tech.
2 (51) Ego Ferguson, dt, LSU.
3 (82) Will Sutton, dt, Arizona State.
4 (117) Ka’Deem Carey, rb, Arizona.
4 (131) Brock Vereen, db, Minnesota.
6 (183) David Fales, qb, San Jose State.
6 (191) Patrick O’Donnell, p, Miami.
7 (246) Charles Leno, ot, Boise State.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
1 (24) Darqueze Dennard, db, Michigan State.
2 (55) Jeremy Hill, rb, LSU.
3 (88) Will Clarke, de, West Virginia.
4 (111) Russell Bodine, c, North Carolina.
5 (164) A.J. McCarron, qb, Alabama.
6 (212) Marquis Flowers, lb, Arizona.
7 (239) James Wright, wr, LSU.
7 (252) Lavelle Westbrooks, db, Georgia Southern.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
1 (8) Justin Gilbert, db, Oklahoma State.
1 (22) Johnny Manziel, qb, Texas A&M.
2 (35) Joel Bitonio, g, Nevada.
3 (71) Christian Kirksey, lb, Iowa.
3 (94) Terrance West, rb, Towson.
4 (127) Pierre Desir, db, Lindenwood.
DALLAS COWBOYS
1 (16) Zach Martin, g, Notre Dame.
2 (34) Demarcus Lawrence, de, Boise State.
4 (119) Antony Hitchens, lb, Iowa.
5 (146) Devin Street, wr, Pittsburgh.
7 (231) Ben Gardner, de, Stanford.
7 (238) Will Smith, lb, Texas Tech.
7 (248) Ahmad Dixon, db, Baylor.
7 (251) Ken Bishop, dt, Northern Illinois.
7 (254) Terrance Mitchell, db, Oregon.
DENVER BRONCOS
1 (31) Bradley Roby, db. Ohio State.
2 (56) Cody Latimer, wr, Indiana.
3 (95) Michael Schofield, ot, Michigan.
5 (156) Lamin Barrow, lb, LSU.
6 (207) Matt Paradis, c, Boise State.
7 (242) Corey Nelson, lb, Oklahoma.
DETROIT LIONS
1 (10) Eric Ebron, te, North Carolina.
2 (40) Kyle Van Noy, lb, BYU.
3 (76) Travis Swanson, c, Arkansas.
4 (133) Nevon Lawson, db, Utah St.
4 (136) Larry Webster, de, Bloomsburg.
5 (158) Caraun Reid, dt, Princeton.
6 (189) T.J. Jones, wr, Notre Dame.
7 (229) Nate Freese, k, Boston College.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
1 (21) Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, db, Alabama.
2 (53) Davante Adams, wr, Fresno State.
3 (85) Khyri Thornton, de, Southern Mississippi.
3 (98) Richard Rodgers, te, California.
4 (121) Carl Bradford, lb, Arizona State.
5 (161) Corey Linsley, c, Ohio State.
5 (176) Jared Abbrederis, wr, Wisconsin.
6 (197) Demetri Goodson, db, Baylor.
7 (236) Jeff Janis, wr, Saginaw Valley State.
HOUSTON TEXANS
1 (1) Jadeveon Clowney, de, South Carolina.
2 (33) Xavier Su’a-Filo, g, UCLA.
3 (65) C.J. Fiedorowicz, te, Iowa.
3 (83) Louis Nix, dt, Notre Dame.
4 (135) Tom Savage, qb, Pittsburgh.
6 (177) Jeoffrey Pagan, de, Alabama.
6 (181) Alfred Blue, rb, LSU.
6 (211) Jay Prosch, rb, Auburn.
7 (216) Andre Hal, db, Vanderbilt.
7 (256) Lonnie Ballentine, db, Memphis.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2 (59) Jack Mewhort, g, Ohio State.
3 (90) Donte Moncrief, wr, Mississippi.
5 (166) Jonathan Newsome, lb, Ball State.
6 (203) Andrew Jackson, lb, Western Kentucky.
7 (232) Ulrick John, ot, Georgia State.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
1 (3) Blake Bortles, qb, UCF.
2 (39) Marqise Lee, wr, Southern Cal.
2 (61) Allen Robinson, wr, Penn State.
3 (93) Brandon Linder, g, Miami.
4 (114) Aaron Colvin, db, Oklahoma.
5 (144) Telvin Smith, lb, Florida State.
5 (159) Chris Smith de, Arkansas.
6 (205) Luke Bowanko, c, Virginia.
7 (222) Storm Johnson, rb, UCF.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
1 (23) Dee Ford, de, Auburn.
3 (87) Phillip Gaines, db, Rice.
4 (124) De’Anthony Thomas, rb, Oregon.
5 (163) Aaron Murray, qb, Georgia.
6 (193) Zach Fulton, g, Tennessee.
6 (200) Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, ot, McGill.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
1 (19) Ja’Wuan James, ot, Tennessee.
2 (63) Jarvis Landry, wr, LSU.
3 (67) Billy Turner, ot, North Dakota State.
4 (125) Walt Aikens, db, Liberty.
5 (155) Arthur Lynch, te, Georgia.
5 (171) Jordan Tripp, lb, Montana.
6 (190) Matt Hazel, wr, Coastal Carolina.
7 (234) Terrence Fede, de, Marist.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
1 (29) Dominique Easley, de, Florida.
2 (62) Jimmy Garoppolo, qb, Eastern Illinois.
4 (105) Bryan Stork, c, Florida State.
4 (130) James White, rb, Wisconsin.
4 (140) Cameron Fleming, ot, Stanford.
6 (179) Jon Halapio, g, Florida.
6 (198) Zach Moore, dt, Concordia, St. Paul.
6 (206) Jemea Thomas, db, Georgia Tech.
7 (244) Jeremy Gallon, wr, Michigan.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
1 (20) Brandin Cooks, wr, Oregon State.
2 (58) Stanley Jean-Baptiste, db, Nebraska.
4 (126) Khairi Fortt, lb, California.
5 (167) Vinnie Sunseri, db, Alabama.
5 (169) Ronald Powell, lb, Florida.
6 (202) Tavon Rooks, ot, Kansas State.
NEW YORK GIANTS
1 (12) Odell Beckham, wr, LSU.
2 (43) Weston Richburg, c, Colorado State.
3 (74) Jay Bromley, dt, Syracuse.
4 (113) Andre Williams, rb, Boston College.
5 (152) Nat Berhe, db, San Diego State.
5 (174) Devon Kennard, lb, Southern Cal.
6 (187) Bennett Jackson, db, Notre Dame.
NEW YORK JETS
1 (18) Calvin Pryor, db, Louisville.
2 (49) Jace Amaro, te, Texas Tech.
3 (80) Dexter McDougle, db, Maryland.
4 (104) Jalen Saunders, wr, Oklahoma.
4 (115) Shaquelle Evans, wr, UCLA.
4 (137) Dakota Dozier, g, Furman.
5 (154) Jeremiah George, lb, Iowa State.
6 (195) Brandon Dixon, db, Northwest Missouri State.
6 (209) Quincy Enunwa, wr, Nebraska.
6 (210) IK Enemkpali, lb, Louisiana Tech.
6 (213) Tajh Boyd, qb, Clemson.
7 (233) Trevor Reilly, lb, Utah.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
1 (5) Khalil Mack, lb, Buffalo.
2 (36) Derek Carr, qb. Fresno State.
3 (81) Gabe Jackson, g, Mississippi St.
4 (107) Justin Ellis, dt, Louisiana Tech.
4 (116) Keith McGill, db, Utah.
7 (219) T.J. Carrie, db, Ohio.
7 (235) Shelby Harris, de, Illinois.
7 (247) Jonathan Dowling, db, Western Kentucky.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
1 (26) Marcus Smith, lb, Louisville.
2 (42) Jordan Matthews, wr, Vandrbilt.
3 (86) Josh Huff, wr, Oregon.
4 (101) Jaylen Watkins, db, Florida.
5 (141) Taylor Hart, de, Oregon.
5 (162) Ed Reynolds, db, Stanford.
7 (224) Beau Allen, dt, Wisconsin.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
1 (15) Ryan Shazier, lb, Ohio State.
2 (46) Stephon Tuitt, de, Notre Dame.
3 (97) Dri Archer, rb, Kent State.
4 (118) Martavis Bryant, wr, Clemson.
5 (157) Shaquille Richardson, db, Arizona.
5 (173) Wesley Johnson, ot, Vanderbilt.
6 (192) Jordan Zumwalt, lb, UCLA.
6 (215) Daniel McCullers, de, Tennessee.
7 (230) Rob Blanchflower, te, UMass.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
1 (2) Greg Robinson, ot, Auburn.
1 (13) Aaron Donald, dt, Pittsburgh.
2 (41) Lamarcus Joyner, db, Florida State.
3 (75) Tre Mason, rb, Auburn.
4 (110) Maurice Alexander, db, Utah State.
6 (188) E.J. Gaines, db, Missouri.
6 (214) Garrett Gilbert, qb, SMU.
7 (226) Michell Van Dyk, ot, Portland State.
7 (241) Christian Bryant, db, Ohio State.
7 (249) Michael Sam, de, Missouri.
7 (250) Demetrius Rhaney, c, Tennessee State.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
1 (25) Jason Verrett, db, TCU.
2 (50) Jeremiah Attaochu, te, Georgia Tech.
3 (89) Chris Watt, g, Notre Dame.
5 (165) Ryan Carrethers, db, Arkansas State.
6 (201) Marlon Grice, rb, Arizona State.
7 (240) Tevin Reese, wr, Baylor.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
1 (30) Jimmie Ward, db, Northern Illinois.
2 (57) Carlos Hyde, rb, Ohio State.
3 (70) Marcus Martin, c, Southern Cal.
3 (77) Chris Borland, lb, Wisconsin.
3 (100) Brandon Thomas, g, Clemson.
4 (106) Bruce Ellington, wr, South Carolina.
4 (129) Dontae Johnson, db, N.C. State.
5 (150) Aaron Lynch, de, South Florida.
5 (170) Keith Reaser, db, FAU.
6 (180) Kenneth Acker, db, SMU.
7 (243) Kaleb Ramsey, de, Boston College.
7 (245) Trey Millard, rb, Oklahoma.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2 (45) Paul Richardson, wr, Colorado.
2 (64) Justin Britt, ot, Missouri.
4 (108) Cassius Marsh, de, UCLA.
4 (123) Kevin Norwood, wr, Alabama.
4 (132) Kevin Pierre-Louis, lb, Boston College.
5 (172) Jimmy Staten, dt, Middle Tennessee.
6 (199) Garrett Scott, ot, Marshall.
6 (208) Eric Pinkins, db, San Diego State.
7 (227) Kiero Small, rb, Arkansas.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
1 (7) Mike Evans, wr, Texas A&M.
2 (38) Austin Seferian-Jenkins, te, Washington.
3 (69) Charles Sims, rb, West Virginia.
5 (143) Kadeem Edwards, g, Tennessee State.
5 (149) Kevin Pamphile, ot, Purdue.
6 (185) Robert Herron, wr, Wyoming.
TENNESSEE TITANS
1 (11) Taylor Lewan, ot, Michigan.
2 (54) Bishop Sankey, rb, Washington.
4 (112) DaQuan Jones, dt, Penn State.
4 (122) Marqueston Huff, db, Wyoming.
5 (151) Avery Williamson, lb, Kentucky.
6 (178) Zach Mettenberger, qb, LSU.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
2 (47) Trent Murphy, lb, Stanford.
3 (66) Morgan Moses, ot, Virginia.
3 (78) Spencer Long, g, Nebraska.
4 (102) Bashaud Breeland, db, Clemson.
5 (142) Ryan Grant, wr, Tulane.
6 (186) Lache Seastrunk, rb, Baylor.
7 (217) Ted Bolser, te, Indiana.
7 (228) Zach Hocker, k, Arkansas.