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2015 NFL Draft: 5 Players the Minnesota Vikings Should Have Drafted

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2015 NFL Draft: 5 Players the Minnesota Vikings Should Have Taken

Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
Mark J. Rebilas USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings are thought to have done well in the 2015 NFL Draft, as they addressed some needs, got value with certain picks and added some depth.

But all things considered they missed a few opportunities, and here are five players the Vikings should have drafted this year.

5. Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville

Gerod Holliman, Louisville
Andy Lyons-Getty Images

5. Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville

Gerod Holliman, Louisville
Andy Lyons-Getty Images

It was a weak safety class again this year, but the Vikings still needed to try to add one. Holliman was still on the board when they were on the clock in the seventh round, and I think he has a better chance to make an impact than their final pick (Newberry OLB Edmond Robinson).

4. Dezmin Lewis, WR, Central Arkansas

Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas
John David Mercer USA TODAY Sports

4. Dezmin Lewis, WR, Central Arkansas

Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas
John David Mercer USA TODAY Sports

Lewis is another player who was available when the Vikings made their final pick of the 2015 draft. Even with concerns about his level of competition in college, he has the size (6'4", 214 lbs.) to develop into a red zone weapon for Teddy Bridgewater.

3. Nick O'Leary, TE, Florida State

Nick O'Leary, Florida State
Melina Vastola USA TODAY Sports

3. Nick O'Leary, TE, Florida State

Nick O'Leary, Florida State
Melina Vastola USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings drafted small school prospect MyCole Pruitt in the fifth round (No. 143 overall), and he may earn a roster spot. But if they wanted to draft a tight end, they should have gone with one of Jameis Winston's top targets that was drafted 51 picks later.

2. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
Scott Olmos USA TODAY Sports

2. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
Scott Olmos USA TODAY Sports

If not for a torn ACL during Oregon's practice leading up to the College Football Playoff, Ekpre-Olomu would not have fallen to the seventh round and the 241st overall pick. There was potential to get significant return by drafting him, and the Vikings missed it twice in the final round.

1. Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
Doug Pensinger-Getty Images

1. Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
Doug Pensinger-Getty Images

I considered Strong to be the third-best wide receiver in this year's class, but he fell all the way to the third round (70th overall). The Vikings technically had no chance to get him, with their original third round pick coming at No. 76, but I think trading up for Strong would have been well worth it.

Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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