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Vikings select 9 players in final rounds of NFL Draft

The Vikings added more linemen at the draft.

Declan Goff

Vikings select 9 players in final rounds of NFL Draft
Vikings select 9 players in final rounds of NFL Draft /
Fifth-round pick Cameron Smith appears ready to be a Viking. 

The Vikings rounded out their draft class on Saturday by making nine selections in rounds 4-7 at the NFL Draft.

Minnesota went heavy on offense with this year's class, taking seven players on that side of the football. It was the first time since 1965 the Vikings selected four straight offensive players to start a draft.

Here's who they took Saturday. 

Dru Samia, guard, Oklahoma - 4th round (114th)

Samia was taken in the fourth round out of Oklahoma after the Vikings traded up with the Seahawks. (Minnesota sent picks 120 and 204 to Seattle for 114th pick)

Originally recruited as a tackle, Samia transitioned to guard his sophomore season and played there for the three seasons.

He was a Second-Team All-American in 2018, blocking for Heisman Trophy Winner Kyler Murray, and he didn't surrender a sack all season. Samia says he has some "nastiness" to him and he'll do whatever it takes to protect his guys.

Cameron Smith, linebacker, USC - 5th round (162nd)

The Vikings selected Cameron Smith after – guess what? – trading back with the New England Patriots for the 162nd overall pick. 

Smith was a four-year starter at USC where he racked up 354 tackles in his career, including 26.5 tackles for loss. 

NFL.com predicted Smith would be drafted in the middle rounds and Lance Zierlein said "it won't take long for a coaching staff to look beyond his limitations and see a future starter."

It might be safe to assume the Vikings were targeting Gophers linebacker Blake Cashman, who was drafted by the Jets with the 157th pick. It might be the reason why they decided to trade back, still finding of linebacker of their liking.

Armon Watts, defensive tackle, Arkansas - 6th round (190th)

In the first of their three sixth-round picks, the Vikings selected defensive tackle Armon Watts 190th overall. 

After playing just seven games in three years at Arkansas, he finally earned a starting role in his senior season and had an impressive campaign. Watts posted 49 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2018 for the Razorbacks.

He'll likely compete with fellow defensive tackles Shamar Stephen, Jaleel Johnson and Jalyn Holmes in training camp.

Marcus Epps, safety, Wyoming - 6th round (191st)

With the very next pick, 191st overall, the Vikings selected safety Marcus Epps out of Wyoming University.

Epps played four years at Wyoming and was a solid defensive back accumulating 324 tackles and nine interceptions in his college career. It's the first time the Vikings have selected a safety since 2016.

At 6-foot, 191 pounds, NFL.com believes he's a bit undersized but will likely compete with Jayron Kearse for the backup safety position as Anthony Harris is pegged to take Andrew Sandejo's starting spot. 

Oli Udoh, tackle, Elon - 6th round (193rd)

Two spots later at 193, the Vikings finished up their flurry of picks taking its third lineman of the draft in tackle Oli Udoh out of Elon University. 

Udoh is a massive human at 6-foot-5 and 323 pounds. He didn't miss a single game in college, starting every week at right tackle in his four seasons.

Kris Boyd, cornerback, Texas - 7th round (217th)

Boyd started at least 11 games in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons with the Longhorns. He made 172 tackles in his career with three interceptions and has some experience returning kickoffs.

NFL.com pegged him as a fourth-round pick but analysts believe he might have a better chance as a safety than a cornerback. Regardless, head coach Mike Zimmer has to be happy with another cornerback at his disposal.

Dillon Mitchell, wide receiver, Oregon - 7th round (239th)

With the 239th pick, the Vikings took wide receiver Dillon Mitchell out of Oregon.

Mitchell grabbed 119 receptions in his college career, including 75 this past season for the Ducks that resulted in 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns. At 6-foot-1, he ran 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 4.46 seconds. 

Even though the Vikings have two of the best receivers in the NFL in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, there's a need for a legitimate third wide receiver until Laquon Treadwell proves otherwise. 

Olabisi Johnson, wide receiver, Colorado State - 7th round (247th)

Minnesota added another wideout eight picks later in Olabisi Johnson out of Colorado State.

Johnson hauled in 125 catches for 2,019 yards and 11 touchdowns in his four years with the Rams, in addition to returning punts. He ran the 40 in 4.51 seconds at the combine. 

Austin Cutting, long snapper, Air Force - 7th round (250th)

With their final pick of draft, the Vikings selected long snapper Austin Cutting out of Air Force. He'll likely compete with Kevin McDermott, the team's current long snapper. 

So all in all, the Vikings added 12 players to their 2019 NFL Draft class

  • Garrett Bradbury, center, 18th overall 
  • Irv Smith Jr., tight end 50th overall 
  • Alexander Mattison, running back 102nd overall 
  • Dru Samia, guard 114th overall 
  • Cameron Smith, linebacker 162nd overall 
  • Armon Watts, defensive tackle 190th overall
  • Marcus Epps, safety 191st overall
  • Oli Udoh, tackle 193rd overall 
  • Kris Boyd, cornerback 217th overall
  • Dillon Mitchell, wide receiver 239th overall
  • Olabisi Johnson, wide receiver 247th overall
  • Austin Cutting, long snapper 250th overall
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Declan Goff
DECLAN GOFF

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