While their moves in free agency garnered the headlines over the past several weeks, the Vikings have also quietly been gathering more information on the prospects they are eyeing for this month's NFL draft.
Our growing list of Vikings pre-draft visits, private workouts for 2017
While free agency recently garnered the headlines, the Vikings also have been quietly gathering more information on the prospects they are eyeing for April's NFL draft.
April 14, 2017 at 1:48PM
That has included sending scouts and top decision-makers such as general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer to college pro days and conducting private workouts with potential draft picks.
In early April, some of the top prospects on their draft board were in town for the all-important "Top 30" visits at Winter Park. Current Vikings players Trae Waynes, Laquon Treadwell, Anthony Barr, T.J. Clemmings, Anthony Harris and Moritz Bohringer were all brought in for official visits.
Local prospects do not count toward the Vikings' 30 pre-draft visit limit. Ex-Gophers receiver Drew Wolitarsky is among the Winter Park visitors, a source told Joe Christensen, our excellent Gophers beat writer.
Here is a list of all of the team's known interactions, reported by us or others, with 2017 prospects. Note that this is far from a complete list, and we will continue to update this post as the NFL draft approaches.
QUARTERBACKS
- Jerod Evans, QB, Virginia Tech: met with Vikings at combine
- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech: met with Vikings at combine
RUNNING BACKS
- Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming: reported official visit
- Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo: official visit
- Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee: official visit
- Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma: met with Vikings at his pro day
- Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma: met with Vikings at combine
- Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: met with Vikings
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
OFFENSIVE LINE
- Dan Feeney, G, Indiana: reported official visit
- Forrest Lamp, OT, Western Kentucky: met with Vikings at combine
- Damien Mama, G, Southern Cal: met with Vikings at combine
- DEFENSIVE LINE
Davon Godchaux, DT, LSU: met with Vikings at combine - Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn: reportedly met with Vikings at combine
- Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State: reported private workout
LINEBACKERS
- Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State: official visit
- Duke Riley, LB, LSU: met with Vikings at combine
- Eric Wilson, LB, Cincinnati: reportedly linked to Vikings
DEFENSIVE BACKS
SPECIALISTS
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
