The Minnesota Vikings own the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and there are multiple avenues this franchise could take. One player that makes sense for this team is Tyler Linderbaum.

It was reported on Monday that the Vikings are not expected to pick up Garrett Bradbury’s fifth-year option. Since entering the league in 2019, he’s had his ups and downs.

Center is arguably the most important position on the offensive line, though, left Tackle would like to have a word.

Drafting Linderbaum would fix a lot of the Vikings’ O-Line issues. For a while there, it looked like he’d end up being a top-10 pick, but there are a lot of mock drafts pegging him to go later in the first round. Mock drafts are never correct, but if this is the case, then the Vikings could trade back and snag the former Hawkeye star.

In three seasons at the University of Iowa, Linderbaum dominated the competition and is one of the best centers to come out of college in recent memory.

PFF grades per year:

• 2019: 81.7 (5th/213)
• 2020: 91.5 (1st/216)
• 2021: 95.4 (1st/300)

Linderbaum is an athletic center, who can block downfield and handle defensive tackles with ease. In 2020, he allowed just three pressures. If you watch his tape at Iowa, you’ll see how incredibly balanced and mobile he is.

There’s only one thing he could really work on, and that’s his use of the hands. He punches too much and could do a better job in that department, but I’m not overly concerned with that. He’s 22 and can figure that out as he develops.

Linderbaum is 6’2 296 pounds, and in an ideal world, you’d like him to add more muscle. However, you might be taking away his athleticism and explosiveness.

When it comes down to it, Linderbaum is the type of talent that can transcend an offensive line overnight. He could easily come in and have a career like Quenton Nelson.

Minnesota should draft Linderbaum if he’s still on the table at No. 12 or look to trade back and grab him there. He’s an elite talent, and Bradbury’s days are numbered in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Let me know who you’d like to see the Vikings draft in the comment section below.