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Re: WRs to watch

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:07 pm
by Mothman
VikingLord wrote:Because, as we all know, the draft is about finding *immediate* contributors who will, in turn, step on the field and propel their teams to newfound heights solely by their presence on the field.

Some of these draft discussions remind me of that math question where someone is asked whether they want $100 straight-up, or to start with a penny and double it every day for 30 days. We all know the answer to that question (and if you don't, do the math).

The draft, especially at the top, is about finding talent and depth. It's not generally about finding a guy who can step into a spot and be better than anyone the team has at that spot right out of the gate. In fact, teams that are in the situation where they constantly rely on the draft to fill critical, immediate needs, have probably done a pretty crappy overall job of drafting, especially in the middle rounds.
The cap and free agency make it more essential than it used to be for 1st round draft picks to make significant contributions early in their careers. The draft isn't exclusively about finding immediate contributors but teams that are so deep and well-established across the board that they have the luxury of simply selecting a first round player they like and ignoring immediate needs are rare and nobody stays in that position long.
I've read the discussions about Patterson, and all I can say is that any team that passes on this guy is going to wish they had not. As Craig (losperros) pointed out, the guy was perhaps the best offensive player for the Vols despite his single year with them being his only year playing at that level in that conference. While he may be raw, I think he's also clearly demonstrated he can learn and he can have success against talented opponents. His physical abilities are off the charts, his instincts impressive, and while he might not be an instant impact WR, he will certainly make people forget about Harvin when it comes to returning kicks while he learns the WR position.
Maybe... but how long will it take him to learn the position? Devin Hester has fantastic physical abilities and great instincts with the ball in his hands too. Like Patterson, he's a terrific returner (perhaps the best ever) but the Bears finally gave up on trying to turn him into more than an adequate WR after years of effort because his skills just never developed sufficiently. That may not happen with Patterson but just as immediate need shouldn't completely trump raw talent, the latter shouldn't automatically trump immediate need. As I've said before, swinging for the fences is fine but a batter who tries to hit a home run every time is probably going to have a high strikeout percentage. A smart team will weigh all of the variables, not just draft the most explosive player or the guy who looks best running a 40 yard dash. In the NFL, more than at any other level of football, skill counts.
This is about as close to a no-brainer as Spielman will ever see short of taking Kalil last year should Patterson fall to #23.
It's really not. He has route-running issues, catching issues, issues using his hands against coverage... Patterson is a player who could come in, have an immediate impact and be a superstar or he could struggle to live up to his athletic potential for years and be a serious disappointment. That's not a no-brainer. Kalil was a no-brainer because he had the skills and talent to excel and excel immediately. Consequently, he was a top 5 pick. If Patterson was the same kind of no-brainer that's where he'd be projected to go: the top 5. He's not and that's because there's considerable risk involved with drafting such a raw talent. He's a boom or bust player. Kalil wasn't...

Just to be clear, I'm not opposed to drafting him. He can be electrifying on the field and that kind of talent is always useful. I just think there's more risk involved than you're implying. The rewards could be high though...

Re: WRs to watch

Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2013 11:10 am
by Mothman
It's looking like drafting Keenan Allen might have been a good move after all. He may end up being the ROTY. I'm still amazed that he lasted as long as he did in the 2013 draft but these things are always hard to predict.

Re: WRs to watch

Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2013 1:35 pm
by S197
Mothman wrote:It's looking like drafting Keenan Allen might have been a good move after all. He may end up being the ROTY. I'm still amazed that he lasted as long as he did in the 2013 draft but these things are always hard to predict.
Yup.

http://www.vikingsmessageboard.com/view ... en#p454698

http://www.vikingsmessageboard.com/view ... en#p456096

Patterson shows a lot of promise though so it's not that bad, I just hope he can work on his hands and tightening up his routes.

Re: WRs to watch

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 7:00 pm
by Demi
http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Char ... ound121713
Keenan Allen has had an outstanding season with the San Diego Chargers, leading all rookies in catches, reception yards and touchdown receptions.

But Allen told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he didn't expect to be with the Chargers this season. Instead, Allen said this week that his agent told him the Minnesota Vikings "guaranteed" they would select the wide receiver in the first round.

Re: WRs to watch

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 7:01 pm
by Mothman

Re: WRs to watch

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 7:11 pm
by Funkytown
He sure is coming along, but let's be honest, had he been drafted by us...these "leading all rookies..." talks wouldn't be taking place. He has a quarterback over there in San Diego. Big difference! :D I'm happy for him, but I'm glad we have Patterson.

Re: WRs to watch

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 4:51 pm
by HardcoreVikesFan
IIRC, I think a lot of us on the board wanted Hopkins/Allen/Woods. I think the majority opinion was that Cordarrelle and Tavon would be long gone before we picked. Looking back on it now, there is no way Tavon Austin gets picked that high. That would subsequently make the first WR off the board either Allen or Patterson.

I think the Vikings telling Allen he would be 1st round pick is BS. Apparently, Minnesota also 'told' Robert Woods that they were going to draft him in the first round too. Then, following draft day, there was that whole draft interview with Codarrelle where George Stewart guaranteed to Cordarrelle that Minnesota was going to draft him in the first. Honestly, hahaha, it sounds like the real truth was probably that Minnesota said we are drafting WR in the first round, and told all these players they might be drafted in the first.

Re: WRs to watch

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 5:24 pm
by S197
That's pretty interesting. If that's the case, then I think Floyd falling down the board really messed up the Vikings plans. They probably had Patterson pegged to go a lot higher like most mocks, hence the enthusiasm to run back to the war room and draft him.