Vikings mock draft roundup: Wide receiver or linebacker for the Vikings?

The NFL draft is just over two weeks away, and a pretty clear consensus has been established when it comes to the Vikings and their top pick.

The majority of recent mock drafts that I read had the Vikings drafting a wide receiver with the 23rd pick, which was also the case the last time I compiled this mock draft roundup. But which receiver they select depends on the draftniks, who have varying opinions of how this plays out.

For the few outliers who aren’t projecting a wide receiver to the Vikings, a certain linebacker seems to make a lot of sense to them, though not much to me given that the Vikings already have a quality pair of linebackers.

Here are eight mock selections for the Vikings, along with explanations:

Mel Kiper, ESPN: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. “You have Stefon Diggs, but this is a huge year for Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings need to add another weapon in the passing game,” Kiper wrote. “Doctson is a magician when the ball is in the air, and he can make plays after the catch as well.”

Rob Rang, CBS Sports: Doctson. “With the needs along the offensive line addressed via free agency, the Vikings may look to help out young quarterback Teddy Bridgewater by boosting his receiving corps,” Rang wrote. “Doctson has enough speed to challenge vertically and he’s a master at winning contested passes due to his strong hands and body control.”

Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State. “If you are wondering how the Vikings would utilize Lee, Anthony Barr and Erik Kendricks in the same linebacker group, I’d suggest leaving that ‘problem’ to Mike Zimmer,” Burke wrote. “He will not say no to another athletic, three-down option, even with his team needing a receiver. Lee’s arrival could expedite Chad Greenway’s departure from the weak side.”

Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. “This might be his best landing spot,” Edholm wrote. “The Vikings land a spirited, physical receiver whose best routes mesh with Teddy Bridgewater’s strengths and whose blocking ability will be tremendous with an offense that remains heavily run-dependent. Norv Turner can pound those bang-8 routes with Treadwell the way he used to with Michael Irvin.”

Eric Galko, Sporting News: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State. “Had it not been for Stefon Diggs a year ago, the Vikings receiving corps would have been one of the NFL’s worst, and Teddy Bridgewater’s development would have been further stifled,” Galko wrote. “Thomas, whose speed allows him to separate, has the size to work underneath more than Diggs.”

Charley Casserly, NFL.com: Treadwell. “He gives Teddy Bridgewater a reliable target missing in Minnesota,” Casserly wrote.

Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus: Thomas. “Few receivers in this class can create separation as well as Thomas and he immediately adds a much-needed intermediate threat to the Vikings offense,” Palazzolo wrote. “He suffered through inconsistent quarterback play at Ohio State but his route running will help quarterback Teddy Bridgewater immediately.”

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: Lee. “Mike Zimmer would love to add another playmaking linebacker to the mix to put the finishing touches on a dominant defensive unit,” Brooks wrote.