Niner Noise
FanSided

2019 NFL Draft: Early Round 1 mock for all 32 teams across the league

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A Dallas Cowboys fan cheers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A Dallas Cowboys fan cheers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 2: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence #90 of the Clemson Tigers #90 celebrates a tackle against the Kent State Golden Flashes on September 2, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 2: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence #90 of the Clemson Tigers #90 celebrates a tackle against the Kent State Golden Flashes on September 2, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images) /

60. . Defensive Tackle. Clemson. Dexter Lawrence. 18. player

The Minnesota Vikings don’t have a ton of needs entering the 2019 NFL Draft. They could use some help along the offensive line and maybe, just maybe, think about providing some insurance against running back Dalvin Cook, who has been more injury prone than effective his one-plus years at the pro level.

That would be a luxury move, though, and the smarter route might be to find a younger replacement for aging defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.

Richardson has been dominant since joining the Vikings as a free agent this offseason. But to help keep Minnesota in a friendly cap situation, avoiding another contract for Richardson and landing some youth up front would be smart.

The entirety of Clemson’s defensive line could wind up going in Round 1, and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence would be an excellent addition to replace Richardson, who can be allowed to leave in free agency.