Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Welcome to Draft Day.
The first round of the annual event will begin at 7 tonight (CT) in Nashville.
The Miller Lite Vikings Draft Party will coincide with the opening night. It is scheduled from 6 to 11 p.m. on at U.S. Bank Stadium and will feature live coverage of the draft by “Voice of the Vikings” Paul Allen and KFAN. Tickets are available for purchase here.
The second and third rounds will be held on Friday, with festivities beginning at 6 p.m. (CT).
The fourth round will start at 11 a.m. (CT) on Saturday and be followed by Rounds 5-7.
The Vikings currently have eight selections in the draft, beginning with the 18th overall pick.
Vikings.com is taking a glance at the top prospects at each position leading up to the draft.
April 11: Running backs
April 12: Tight ends
April 15: Quarterbacks
April 16: Wide receivers
April 17: Offensive tackles
April 18: Centers and guards
April 19: Defensive tackles
April 22: Defensive ends/edge rushers
April 23: Linebackers
April 24: Cornerbacks
April 25: Safeties
Where the Vikings Stand
The Vikings currently have five safeties on their roster, including three returners from last season. Pro Bowler Harrison Smith is the longest-tenured defensive back on Minnesota’s roster and is entering his eighth NFL season. The 30-year-old has started all 16 games over the past two seasons and 98 of his 99 total games in Purple. Anthony Harris, whom the Vikings signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015, will vie for the other safety spot. He made nine starts last season in place of the injured Andrew Sendejo, who signed with Philadelphia in free agency. Also returning for the Vikings is Jayron Kearse, a seventh-round selection in 2016 who has been a solid contributor on special teams and been utilized in packages.
The Vikings added Jordan Martin and Derron Smith to the safety group through free agency this spring. Both most recently played in the Alliance of American Football – Martin for the San Diego Fleet and Smith for the San Antonio Commanders. Smith originally was a sixth-round pick by the Bengals out of Fresno State.
Recent Draft History (over past five years)
Total number of safeties taken: 98
Round 1: 13 (3 in 2018, 3 in 2017, 2 in 2016, 1 in 2015, 4 in 2014)
Round 2: 12 (1 in 2018, 6 in 2017, 2 in 2016, 3 in 2015, 0 in 2014)
Round 3: 11 (4 in 2018, 2 in 2017, 3 in 2016, 0 in 2015, 2 in 2014)
Round 4: 19 (4 in 2018, 4 in 2017, 3 in 2016, 3 in 2015, 5 in 2014)
Round 5: 14 (3 in 2018, 3 in 2017, 2 in 2016, 3 in 2015, 3 in 2014)
Round 6: 16 (3 in 2018, 5 in 2017, 4 in 2016, 2 in 2015, 2 in 2014)
Round 7: 13 (0 in 2018, 3 in 2017, 3 in 2016, 3 in 2015, 4 in 2014)
While the numbers are fairly spread out across the seven rounds, it’s interesting that Round 4 has seen the highest number of safeties off the board over the past five years. There are also three rounds (Round 2 in 2014, Round 3 in 2015, Round 7 in 2018) in which no safeties were selected by teams.
The Prospects (based on rankings by Dane Brugler of The Athletic)