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The Minnesota Vikings have eight picks in the 2017 NFL Draft. Their first pick at No. 48 overall, in the second round, after trading their first round pick for Sam Bradford last season.

Things will be strange in the Twin Cities this year with running back Adrian Peterson not with the Vikings anymore. An injury-filled 2016 season led the organization to part ways with Peterson. With two weeks until the draft, he was still looking for a new address. The Vikings added Latavius Murray as his replacement. A young runner could also be added to help quarterback Sam Bradford in his second season in Minnesota.

Minnesota believes Bradford will be comfortable with a full offseason working with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. Shurmur took over the job when Norv Turner mysteriously departed during the 2016 season.

Top Three Draft Needs

1. Right guard: Head coach Mike Zimmer said at the league meetings that he has four starters he’s comfortable with on the offensive line. However, the need for offensive line depth is there for the taking. Minnesota released Brandon Fusco and Mike Harris, the starters at the position in recent years.

2. Running back: Even after signing Latavius Murray to help fill the hole left by Adrian Peterson’s departure, the Vikings are eager to tap into the deep pool of talented, versatile runners available in this year’s draft. Jerick McKinnon is a reliable backup at this point in his career. The other running backs on the roster are C.J. Ham, who didn’t play as a rookie free agent a year ago, and Bishop Sankey, a third-year pro who played in 29 games for the Titans from 2014-15, but didn’t play a game while with the Chiefs a year ago.

3. Punter: Taylor Symmank or Ryan Quigley will be the team’s punter at this point after Jeff Locke signed with the Colts. Locke, who also was the holder on place-kicks, was inconsistent, but Symmank, an undrafted rookie a year ago, has yet to punt in a NFL game. The Vikings will be looking to add some competition at the position.

2017 Mock Draft

Here is my list of every pick for the Minnesota Vikings in the 2017 NFL Draft. Who would you take? Let us know in comments.

2/48: Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma (6-1, 228, 4.45)

3/79: Nico Siragusa, G, San Diego State (6-4, 319, 5.28)

3/86: Blair Brown, LB, Ohio (5-11, 238, 4.65)

4/121: Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois (6-3, 264, 4.77)

4/129: Jalen Myrick, CB, Minnesota (5-10, 200, 4.28)

5/160: Jeremiah Ledbetter, DL, Arkansas (6-3, 280, 4.78)

6/199: Aviante Collins, T/G, TCU (6-4, 295, 4.77)

7/232: Austin Rehkow, kicker/punter, Idaho (6-3, 214, 4.84)

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