Minnesota Vikings 7-round mock draft: Two first-round pick set the tone

Round 7

With three final picks in the seventh round to end the draft, the Vikings have the liberty to add developmental picks to complete the draft. Jared Pinkney’s final year at Vanderbilt was as disappointing as the Commodores season, where he posted career lows in receptions, yards, and yards per catch after playing for four seasons.

While Pinkney’s season ended with a wrist injury, he has the blend of size and speed to play as a yards-after-catch tight end behind Kyle Rudolph. While he would be drafted as an additional receiver, Pinkney is a functional blocker and could see playing time with a team that runs two tight end packages.

While the Vikings extended backup quarterback Sean Mannion for an additional season, they could use their second pick in the seventh round by taking another Oregon State alum. After transferring from Idaho, Jake Luton finished his final three seasons with the Beavers and saw improvement each year.

Luton is a 6-foo-7 pro-style quarterback who has a strong arm and played in a similar play-action offense while at Oregon State. Luton is very careful with the ball, does not force passes and posted a touchdown to interception ratio of 28-3 his final year. Luton is a good fit for the Vikings offense, keeps drives going and has the ability to throw the ball downfield making him everything you would look for as a backup.

The Vikings use their 12th and final selection to add another backup at safety. Jalen Elliott would be the fourth defensive back taken in the draft and would provide much-needed depth at the safety position. Despite being a three-year starter at Notre Dame, Elliott struggles with open-field tackling and lacks the speed to become a starting NFL safety.