Merry Wednesday Rashod Hill Jersey , everyone!It’s gonna be a long off-season, isn’t it? The off-seasons following a season where the team underwhelms are tougher for me than others. I want to see them on the field again, playing like they’re supposed to. It’s kinda’ odd, but the Vikings have been following a bit of a bad year-good year-bad year-good year trend over the past several seasons. I guess that means we’re in for a good year, yay! Now that I think about it, the Twins have been following that same trend. I wonder if there’s anything to that. I doubt it, but I don’t think something has to be true in order to believe in it.Around the DN since our last open thread:From Chris, the Mike Zimmer Foundation is accepting applications for 2019 MVP Scholarships. Too bad MVP doesn’t stand for Most Vocal Pessimist, a couple of our commenters would have it nailed down.Ted shared a report stating that the Vikings are considering moving Riley Reiff to guard.Vikings news from other sources and news from around the rest of the league:The Way Too Early NFL Power Rankings was released way too early by ESPN, the good guys are in the upper half of NFL teams, so there’s that, which........means nothing.From SportingNews.com, after declaring (wisely) that Carson Wentz is their starter, the Eagles then picked up Nick Foles’ 2019 option for a cool $20 million, which Foles then bought out for $2 million, per ESPN. I’d pay $2 million for $20 million.......if I had $2 million. They’d probably take a check. Then again, he’s actually paying $2 million to turn down $20 million, which I doubt I would do.We come to today’s media selection:Hey, it’s been a while since we took a spin around the Merrill roundabout.....and back around.....and back around. Hop in & enjoy!Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:No discussion of politics or religionNo feeding of the trollsThis isn’t a male version of The View http://www.thevikingslockerroom.com/authentic-jalyn-holmes-jersey , so leave the gender hatred at the doorKeep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tagsNo pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employerIf you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go awayWhile navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasmWith that, the beer light is on and the bar is open. Belly up and tie one on. Don’t forget to tip your waitress, and try the tiger meat. EAGAN, Minn. — After starting his career at North Carolina State as a tight end, Garrett Bradbury soon favored a move inside to the offensive line so he could be on the field as much as possible.He started every game over his last three years for the Wolfpack, one of many factors in his selection by the Minnesota Vikings with the 18th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.“That’s something we pride ourselves in. Every offensive lineman, I think that’s the best trait you can have, durability,” Bradbury said.Vikings NFL Draft CoverageHow NFL draft affected Vikings’ 2019 opponentsMinnesota Vikings 2019 NFL Draft gradesMinnesota Vikings 2019 NFL draft capsulesVikings take fliers on CB Boyd, WR Mitchell, WR Johnson, LS Cutting in seventh roundVikings use sixth round to draft DT Watts, S Epps, OT UdohVikings draft USC linebacker Cameron Smith in fifth roundVikings trade up in fourth round, draft guard Dru SamiaVikings trade down four times, use third-round pick to select RB MattisonPotential Vikings Day 2 picks in 2019 NFL draftVikings select C Garrett Bradbury with 18th overall pick in 2019 NFL draftThe Vikings used their first-rounder on an offensive lineman for the first time in seven years. With the front five again their position of greatest need Womens Laquon Treadwell Jersey , the Vikings could hardly have had the board fall to them any better. Alabama tackle Jonah Williams, who could wind up as a guard in the NFL, was the first blocker off the board at No. 11 to Cincinnati. Boston College guard Chris Lindstrom went to Atlanta at No. 14.Then the Vikings had their pick of the rest. With the 6-foot-3, 306-pound Bradbury , the Vikings got a natural fit with the inside zone-blocking scheme they’ll be using to try to generate more of a running game and keep the pressure off quarterback Kirk Cousins.Bradbury ran the 40-yard dash in 4.92 seconds at the scouting combine, the third-fastest time among all offensive linemen. He finished the three-cone drill in 7.41 seconds, the fastest of his position group. The endorsement of new offensive adviser Gary Kubiak carried plenty of weight in the room. So did the impression of defensive line coach Andre Patterson from his evaluation of prospects on the other side, when he walked in coach Mike Zimmer’s office one day.“He said, ‘Who’s this center from NC State? This guy is a really good football player,'” Zimmer said. “And so that even intrigued me more.”Pat Elflein, who has been the starting center since being Minnesota’s third-round draft pick in 2017, becomes a strong candidate to move to guard, his primary college position. Both general manager Rick Spielman and coach Mike Zimmer stopped short of assigning a position to Bradbury, who was the starting left guard for the Wolfpack as a sophomore before moving to the middle.“We’re just trying to get the best football players in here,” Spielman said.The Vikings did not go with another cornerback. Spielman even joked this week at his pre-draft news conference that his wife told him not to come home if the Vikings were to use that precious first-rounder on another player at the head coach’s favorite position, where Zimmer has helped develop several draft picks into standouts over the last five seasons. This preference became a punch line for fans last year, as the Vikings frequently struggled up front.Now they have an Associated Press All-American and the winner of the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best center.“The one thing I know is that he doesn’t play corner, so I can go home tonight,” Spielman said.Quipped Zimmer, smiling: “I was trying to get one.”Last year Linval Joseph Jersey , the Vikings passed on a deep class of interior offensive linemen to take cornerback Mike Hughes out of Central Florida with the 30th overall pick. Hughes showed plenty of promise , returning an interception for a touchdown in his NFL debut, but he tore the ACL in his left knee six games into his rookie season.With Hughes coming off his injury, Holton Hill suspended for the first four games this year and Trae Waynes entering the final season of his contract, cornerback wouldn’t have been an indulgent selection. But the need up front, after a so-so first season under Cousins, was too glaring to ignore.The only other time in the 13 drafts the Vikings have had with Spielman that they made an offensive lineman their first pick was 2012, when tackle Matt Kalil went to them at No. 4 overall. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, but his five-year tenure with the team was mixed at best. That was the first draft with Spielman as the final decision-maker. When he was vice president of player personnel before his promotion, Spielman shared authority with the head coach.The Vikings have only used a first-round selection on an offensive lineman three times in the past 30 years: Kalil, Bryant McKinnie (2002) and Todd Steussie (1994). They were each picked for at least one Pro Bowl. Two of the three others taken in the first round in Vikings history, Randall McDaniel (1988) and Ron Yary (1968), are Pro Football Hall of Fame members.With 50th overall pick in the second round on Friday night, the Vikings could get another starting-caliber offensive lineman. Florida tackle Jawaan Taylor and Oklahoma tackle Cody Ford, both widely expected to be first-rounders, remained available. So did Kansas State tackle Dalton Risner, who could wind up as a guard.