The clock is ticking on the 2018 NFL Draft.
One of the league's most important events kicks off with the first round at 7 p.m. (CT) tonight in Dallas. The second and third rounds will be held Friday and begin at 6 p.m. (CT). Round 4 will start at 11 a.m. (CT) on Saturday and be followed by Rounds 5-7.
The Vikings currently have eight selections in the draft, beginning with the 30th overall pick.
Vikings.com is taking a glance at the top prospects at each position leading up to the draft.
April 16: **Quarterbacks**
April 17: **Running backs**
April 18: **Receivers**
April 19: **Tight ends**
April 20: **Tackles**
April 21: **Centers & Guards**
April 22: **Defensive tackles**
April 23: **Defensive ends**
April 24:Linebackers
April 25: Cornerbacks
April 26: Safeties
Where the Vikings Stand
The Vikings are returning Andrew Sendejo and All-Pro Harrison Smith – the duo has started 27 games together, including two playoff contests, in the past two seasons. They also have Anthony Harris, who has been a significant contributor on special teams as well as a dependable reserve on defense when Smith or Sendejo have missed time.
Jayron Kearse utilized his speed as a gunner on special teams. Jack Tocho, a late-round draft pick in 2017 also is on the roster.
Recent Draft History (over past five years)
Total number of safeties taken: 103
Round 1: 13
Round 2: 13
Round 3: 11
Round 4: 18
Round 5: 14
Round 6: 17
Round 7: 17
The Prospects (based on**rankings by CBS Sports*** *
Strong Safety*
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*1. Derwin James *
Florida State, Redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-2, 215 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash:* *4.47 seconds (tied for seventh among safeties)
Bench press: 21 reps of 225 pounds (tied for third among safeties)
Vertical jump: 40 inches (fifth among safeties)
Broad jump: 11 feet (third among safeties)
2017 stats: Started all 12 games played; 84 tackles (49 solo); two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown; 5.5 tackles for loss; 1.0 sack; 11 passes broken up; added six kickoff returns for 170 yards and a touchdown; First-Team All-America (FWAA); Second-Team All-America (Walter Camp, *Associated Press, *Sporting News and AFCA); First-Team All-ACC
*2. Ronnie Harrison *
Alabama, Junior, 6-foot-3, 214 pounds
Combine numbers
Vertical jump: 34 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet
2017 stats: Started all 14 games; 74 tackles (43 solo); three interceptions; 4.5 tackles for loss; 2.5 sacks; four passes broken up; Second-Team All-American (Sports Illustrated); First-Team All-SEC (Associated Press); Second-Team All-SEC (coaches); tied for the team's leading tackler
*3. DeShon Elliott *
Texas, Junior, 6-foot-1, 210 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
Bench press: 15 reps of 225 pounds
Vertical jump: 36 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, 1 inch
2017 stats: Started all 12 games; 63 tackles (50 solo); six interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns; 8.5 tackles for loss; 1.5 sacks; nine passes broken up; three forced fumbles; Jim Thorpe Award finalist (nation's best DB); unanimous First-Team All-American; First-Team All-Big 12 (coaches, Associated Press)
*4. Jordan Whitehead *
Pittsburgh, Junior, 5-foot-10, 195 pounds
Combine numbers
Bench press: 21 reps of 225 pounds
2017 stats: Started all nine games played; 60 tackles (41 solo); one interception; four passes broken up; one fumble recovery; also played on offense, rushing for 142 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries; Honorable Mention All-ACC (coaches)
*5. Tray Matthews *
Auburn, Senior, 6-foot-0, 207 pounds
Combine numbers
Matthews was not invited to the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine
2017 stats: Started all 13 games; 59 tackles (36 solo); one interception; 2.0 tackles for loss; 1.0 sack; two passes broken up; Bednarik Award watch list; Reese's Senior Bowl invitee
Free Safety*
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*1. Minkah Fitzpatrick *
Alabama, Junior, 6-foot-1, 201 pounds
Combine numbers
Note:Fitzpatrick was categorized as a CB in the on-field testing drills
40-yard dash: 4.46 seconds
Bench press: 14 reps of 225 pounds
Vertical jump: 33 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, 1 inch
2017 stats: Started all 13 games; 60 tackles (38 solo); one interception; 8.0 tackles for loss; 1.5 sacks; eight passes broken up; one forced fumble; also returned one kickoff for 39 yards; team captain; Bednarik Award recipient (nation's best collegiate defensive player); Jim Thorpe Award recipient (nation's top collegiate DB); third player in NCAA history to win both awards in same season, joining Charles Woodson and Patrick Peterson; unanimous First-Team All-American; First-Team All-SEC (Associated Press, coaches); Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year finalist
*2. Justin Reid *
Stanford, Junior, 6-foot-1, 204 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash: 4.4 seconds (tied for second among safeties)
Bench press: 16 reps of 225 pounds
Vertical jump: 36.5 inches (eighth among safeties)
Broad jump: 10 feet, 8 inches (tied for fifth among safeties)
3-cone drill: 6.65 seconds (third among safeties)
20-yard shuttle: 4.15 seconds (third among safeties)
2017 stats: Started all 14 games; 99 tackles (52 solo); five interceptions; 6.5 tackles for loss; 1.0 sack; six passes broken up; Second-Team All-America (defensive back – FWAA); Second-Team All-America (safety – Associated Press); First-Team All-Pac 12; Second-Team Pac-12 All-Academic team member; Bednarik Award watch list; Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist
3. Quin Blanding
Virginia, Senior, 6-foot-2, 207 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash: 4.63 seconds
Vertical jump: 31.5 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, 2 inches
2017 stats:Started all 13 games; 137 tackles (62 solo); four interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown; 3.5 tackles for loss; two passes broken up; became Virginia's all-time record holder in career tackles (495); First-Team All-American (Bleacher Report, SB Nation); Second-Team All-American (Walter Camp, FWAA, Sporting News, USA Today, Phil Steele); Third-Team All-American (Associated Press); First-Team All-ACC; Touchdown Club of Richmond's Defensive Back of the Year; Jim Thorpe Award finalist
4. Armani Watts
Texas A&M, 6-foot-3, 252 pounds
Combine numbers
Bench press: 13 reps of 225 pounds
Vertical jump: 35 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet
3-cone drill: 7.25 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.37 seconds
2017 stats: Started all 12 games; 87 tackles (57 solo); four interceptions; 10 tackles for loss; one-half sack; five passes broken up; two forced fumbles; Third-Team All-American (Associated Press); First-Team All-SEC; team captain; Reese's Senior Bowl invitee
5. Jessie Bates III
Wake Forest, Redshirt junior, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds
Combine numbers
40-yard dash: 4.5 seconds (ninth among safeties)
Vertical jump: 35.5 inches (10th among safeties)
Broad jump: 9 feet, 9 inches
3-cone drill: 6.78 seconds (fourth among safeties)
20-yard shuttle: 4.26 seconds (fifth among safeties)
60-yard shuttle: 11.34 seconds
2017 stats: Started all 11 games played; 79 tackles (50 solo); one interception; 6.0 tackles for loss; five passes broken up; one forced fumble; also returned eight punts for 161 yards and a touchdown; All-ACC Honorable Mention
Join fellow Vikings fans tonight on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium for the ****Miller Lite Vikings Draft Party***. Follow the first round of the NFL Draft as we welcome the newest member of the Minnesota Vikings. Tickets available now – click ***here*** to learn more!*
