Texas Football: 3 reasons why Vikings should draft Malcolm Roach

2. Positional need and number of picks

I mentioned this obvious part of the fit between Roach and the Vikings already. The Vikings had the most day three picks (a double-digit number) of any of the 32 NFL teams coming into day three of the draft. They had three fourth, fifth, and sixth round picks in this draft. Seventh round had even more picks than that.

The Vikings did start to address their depth needs in the front seven on day three, just not with a prospect as versatile as Roach. They picked up former Baylor Bears defensive tackle/end James Lynch, Oregon Ducks linebacker Troy Dye, and South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end D.J. Wonnum in the fourth round.

Give the Vikings one or two more players to help out along the front seven, and their mission of adding depth at that level of the defense in this draft will be accomplished. Roach would bring a different type of skill set to the table than any of the other three defensive linemen/linebackers that the Vikings drafted in round four.

Since the Vikings still have a double-digit number of picks left for rounds five, six, and seven, they should be able to find ample space to slot Roach onto the roster. A rare skill set that the Vikings could snag in the final three rounds of the draft should be well worth it if the front office wants to continue to invest in a usually talented front seven.