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Too early to say but I like the Te'o pick (that might just be the Hawaii connection).Howlers wrote:Hey guys, I'm an Irish Vikings fan and I was just wondering what you guys think the Vikes will do and what position they'll concentrate on in the draft in April? Personally, I think they need secondary help and maybe another WR. I also think Manti Te'o would be a great addition too but that might just be the Irish connection!What do you guys think?
Welcome to the board!Howlers wrote:Hey guys, I'm an Irish Vikings fan and I was just wondering what you guys think the Vikes will do and what position they'll concentrate on in the draft in April? Personally, I think they need secondary help and maybe another WR. I also think Manti Te'o would be a great addition too but that might just be the Irish connection!What do you guys think?
Really, Jim? I haven't noticed Phil much at all this season, which is a nice change of pace. He's been solid in the run game and I haven't seen him overmatched in pass protection (yet). Clearly depth is an issue at tackle (particularly with the unknowns surrounding Love and Schwartz past this year) but depending on where they're drafting and who's available, I don't know if I see tackle being a priority early.Mothman wrote:They could be in the market for a new right tackle too if Phil Loadholt doesn't play more impressively this year.
It won't be if Loadholt is still here and they have enough holes to fill so I'm guessing they will re-sign him unless he's terrible. However, I didn't think he played well against Indy. Pelissero put it best:dead_poet wrote:Really, Jim? I haven't noticed Phil much at all this season, which is a nice change of pace. He's been solid in the run game and I haven't seen him overmatched in pass protection (yet). Clearly depth is an issue at tackle (particularly with the unknowns surrounding Love and Schwartz past this year) but depending on where they're drafting and who's available, I don't know if I see tackle being a priority early.
This isn't the way for RT Phil Loadholt (70 snaps) to earn a new contract. He hemorrhaged eight QB pressures, was called for two penalties (illegal formation, holding) and didn't have his best day in the run phase either.
Let's hope it's not worth talking about until January.WR, NT, LB are the biggest priorities I see. Though CB, G and S have some question marks too. It's way too early. I usually don't start paying attention to this until December. Of course, depending on the Vikings record in November it could make for a nice distraction.
Do yo have a list of QBs and WRs that will be draft eligible?Eli wrote:Right now 5 wins is looking like a possibility. If they finish 6-10 they could still earn a top 10 pick. Which isn't half bad when you consider that only a couple of weeks ago people were talking about a playoff spot.
Wide receiver is still looking like the biggest need, assuming that an obvious QB prospect doesn't fall to them. I do see them taking a QB in the middle rounds, though. They can't go into next season with Webb and MBT as their only alternatives to another disastrous season from their starter.
QB's: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/pros ... gs/2013/QBPurpleMustReign wrote:Do yo have a list of QBs and WRs that will be draft eligible?
Hmm... for QBs, I like Aaron Murray. For WRs, I like DeAndre Hopkins.
I'll say the obvious: Expect a DT, a DB, a linebacker, one wide receiver, and an offensive lineman for sure and probably not in that order. It's not a deep draft for top flight quarterbacks. Barkley is the only obvious franchise guy, but I'm sure there will be two or three taken after him. The Vikings will NOT get Matt Barkley. He will be taken in the top five, the Vikings probably couldn't even lose every game for the rest of the year and get him. There are a couple decent running backs.Howlers wrote:Hey guys, I'm an Irish Vikings fan and I was just wondering what you guys think the Vikes will do and what position they'll concentrate on in the draft in April? Personally, I think they need secondary help and maybe another WR. I also think Manti Te'o would be a great addition too but that might just be the Irish connection!What do you guys think?
Top WR prospects are Keenan Allen (Cal), Justin Hunter (Tennessee), Robert Woods (USC), Terrance Williams (Baylor) and DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson). Allen Hunter and Woods have been the Top 3 on most of the boards I've seen.PurpleMustReign wrote: Hmm... for QBs, I like Aaron Murray. For WRs, I like DeAndre Hopkins.
Otherwise, I haven't heard much about the WR class. Has anyone else heard anything?
Here's my thought: Brinkley hasn't been as awful at LB as our WRs have been. We might be able to "make due" with Brinkley if needed but we cannot absolutely cannot go into next season with the same (or similar) caliber of wide outs. I'd classify both positions are in need of talent upgrades (DT too). It might (and probably should) come down to BPA between WR, DT and possibly LB in the first round at least.Rus wrote:Is wide receiver a bigger need than the interior of the Vikings defense? Maybe. However, there's a mess of good wide receivers in the next draft...it's going to be pretty good pickings left in the third and fourth rounds.
That's a little hard to believe, unless you just mean you're none of these QBs have "franchise QB" written all over them.Rus wrote:Sorry to dig up this thread, but it's pretty apparent that the Vikings aren't in line for a Super Bowl this year.
I'm kinda liking Walter Football's current mock draft: http://walterfootball.com/draft2013.php
And before anyone says anything, no, there aren't any quarterbacks in this draft that are worth drafting in the first three rounds.
I think if we set aside the QB debate for a moment, you can certainly make a case for WR being the team's biggest need. That said, you're right that the interior of the defense is a big need too, especially defensive tackle because they need a compliment to Williams and in a few seasons, they may need a replacement for Williams.I really like the idea of Alec Ogletree in the middle. That basically gives the Vikings their own Urlacher. When I read someone dismiss the value of having good linebackers, it clearly tells me they have no idea what they're talking about. Good linebackers are critical to pretty much any defensive scheme you put on the field, and they're always useful as special teamers. And probably the fifth best DT in the draft in the second round is pretty sweet.
Is wide receiver a bigger need than the interior of the Vikings defense? Maybe. However, there's a mess of good wide receivers in the next draft...it's going to be pretty good pickings left in the third and fourth rounds.