Niner Noise
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2016 NFL Draft: Round 1 Mock for All 32 Teams

By Peter Panacy

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell begins the draft and puts the Houston Texans on the clock at the start of the 2014 NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell begins the draft and puts the Houston Texans on the clock at the start of the 2014 NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Michael Thomas (3) celebrates with offensive lineman Pat Elflein (65) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Michael Thomas (3) celebrates with offensive lineman Pat Elflein (65) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 23: Minnesota Vikings

2015 Record: 11-5

The Pick: WR Michael Thomas, Ohio State

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is the answer under center for the Minnesota Vikings, and running back Adrian Peterson doesn’t appear to be showing any signs of slowing down.

Armed with the NFL’s fifth-best defense in 2015, the top priority for the Vikings will be to give Bridgewater more weapons with which to work and to also take some of the offensive load off Peterson moving forward.

Ohio State wideout Michael Thomas makes sense at No. 23 for Minnesota. The 6’3″, 210-pound receiving target had nine touchdowns in each of the last two seasons with the Buckeyes, and he would be a nice complement to No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs.

And the Vikings will need to maintain their offensive prowess to retain their brief hold over the rest of the NFC North.

Next: No. 24: Cincinnati Bengals