WRs to watch

[jeg067]

We have a total of 9 picks, our original 7, an additional 4th and a late round pick.

Not sure, but I think we have 8 picks (no 6th round).

[dead_poet]

Da'Rick Rogers - WR - Player

An NFL source told CBS Sports' Bruce Feldman that he is "skeptical" about how much Tennessee Tech WR Da'Rick Rogers has actually matured since getting kicked off the University of Tennessee's team.

The Vols booted Rogers for three failed drug tests. He claims to have passed ten last year at Tennessee Tech and sounded 100-percent contrite in his Combine media interview. The source remains skeptical because Rogers' "attitude bothered some of his coaches at Tech, too." At the Combine, Rogers ran 4.52 at 6-foot-2, 217. He showed explosion in the vertical (39 1/2") and broad (11') jumps.
Source: CBS Sports

[PurpleKoolaid]

The 1st pick won't be a G. Either WR, DT, or LB most likely. All are bigger needs plus its easier to find Gs later.

None are bigger needs, and if they are so easy to find, why are we stuck with crap every year. Just like at QB.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

None are bigger needs, and if they are so easy to find, why are we stuck with crap every year. Just like at QB.

The problem is the best two guards will be long gone by the time we pick. The third best guard in the draft is Larry Whorford (spelling is wrong, I know) and he is a late 2nd round grade.

[S197]

Not sure, but I think we have 8 picks (no 6th round).

All of our picks plus a 4th and 7th.

http://www.dailynorseman.com/2013/2/22/ ... raft-picks

[PurpleKoolaid]

Why get WRs when Ponder doesnt have the time (or arm) to throw to them? They were open plenty of times, along with kyle, when Ponder just felt the pressure and had a panic attack. He needs time, not only to throw, but time, so he can get his confidence back. We couldnt do that now if we had megatron.

Heck we neec a backup QB more then a WR. Rememeber the main reason we lost that playoff game? You really want a Webb like QB again?

[Cliff]

Heck we neec a backup QB more then a WR.

[dead_poet]

Why get WRs when Ponder doesnt have the time (or arm) to throw to them?

Except, you know, he does. The protection was an issue early but it righted itself a bit as the year went on. Again with the arm strength thing?

shakes head

They were open plenty of times

This continued defense of scrub receivers that will have trouble latching on anywhere if/when they're released is baffling to me. How many reports from scouts, reporters and analysts is required before people acknowledge that our receivers not named Harvin had extreme difficulty consistently beating one-on-one coverage? The only team I can think of with potentially worse corps of receivers was Miami. Arguments could be made for the Jets, Bears and Chargers. Do you disagree? To think this had little to no affect is forced blindness.

He needs time, not only to throw, but time, so he can get his confidence back. We couldnt do that now if we had megatron.

Ha. If you think our passing game wouldn't open up with Megatron you're deluding yourself. The dude sometimes needs TRIPLE coverage. Calvin Johnson, Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson would be an incredibly dynamic offense. Heck, just look at Andy Dalton in Cincy. He's not a special player but A.J. Green makes him look decent. A top-5 outside receiver would tremendously help Ponder/the pass offense. I don't know how that's debatable.

Heck we neec a backup QB more then a WR. Rememeber the main reason we lost that playoff game? You really want a Webb like QB again?

See: Cliff.

[dead_poet]

The Bears have Marshall, Jeffery and Bennett that's a solid corps.

Marshall is a stud, but Jeffery missed 7 games last season and was unproductive in his first five. Bennett caught 29 balls in 12 games. Knox was out all last season. They didn't have many receiving weapons outside of Marshall (which is why he was in the top-5 in WR targets).

I assume you meant Browns or Rams here?

They could be in the conversation as well, but Gordon (50 receptions/805 yards/1 TD) and Little (53/647/4) were fairly productive, especially given Weeden's struggles.

Givens (42/698/2) and Gibson (51/691/5) are mediocre, you're right, but those numbers are still better than Jenkins (40/449/2) and Aromashodu (11/182/0). Amendola was a feature player and legit playmaker for them when healthy. So I'd likely take Givens and/or Gibson over Jenkins and Aromashodou for sure. Same for Gordon and Little (even though Little might be more suited for the slot). I'd also agree that Brown, Alexander and Floyd of the Chargers are better.

This is what I'm talking about. It's hard to be successful with the bench fodder Ponder's been throwing to.

[hibbingviking]

Why get WRs when Ponder doesnt have the time (or arm) to throw to them? They were open plenty of times, along with kyle, when Ponder just felt the pressure and had a panic attack. He needs time, not only to throw, but time, so he can get his confidence back. We couldnt do that now if we had megatron.

Heck we neec a backup QB more then a WR. Rememeber the main reason we lost that playoff game? You really want a Webb like QB again?

wouldnt mind seeing vikings pick up tyler wilson, or landry in 3rd round and develop them for 2-3 years. in case ponder doesnt work out. could always trade him like patriots did with cassell, and eagles did with kolb. nobody wants to develop a qb anymore.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Really? What kept us from competing with a team we just beat in the playoffs? A QB right? Not a WR. Jerry Rice Cris Carter and Randy moss could have been out there and Webb still wouldnt have known what to do.

[Cliff]

Really? What kept us from competing with a team we just beat in the playoffs? A QB right? Not a WR. Jerry Rice Cris Carter and Randy moss could have been out there and Webb still wouldnt have known what to do.

You don't build a team based on the results of one football game.

Getting a better backup QB should be a priority for the team, but saying it's more important for a team to fill a position that didn't take one meaningful snap in the regular season is a higher priority than WR? That's not logical.

[Texas Vike]

You don't build a team based on the results of one football game.

Getting a better backup QB should be a priority for the team, but saying it's more important for a team to fill a position that didn't take one meaningful snap in the regular season is a higher priority than WR? That's not logical.

Solid assessment.

Now let's discuss how to fix our dearth of WRs.

To me, this thread isn't meant to question our need for WR help, that is assumed, but rather to compare our thoughts on how to fix this glaring need.

I personally think Spielman and Frazier will look to do it through the draft, not FA. I think they'll draft a WR in the 1st or 2nd rd, and I firmly believe they will target a tall and strong WR that can stretch the field. I like Hopkins, Allen or Patterson in round one, or Robert Woods, Terrance Williams, or Josh Boyce a bit later.

[VikingLord]

Solid assessment.

Now let's discuss how to fix our dearth of WRs.

To me, this thread isn't meant to question our need for WR help, that is assumed, but rather to compare our thoughts on how to fix this glaring need.

I personally think Spielman and Frazier will look to do it through the draft, not FA. I think they'll draft a WR in the 1st or 2nd rd, and I firmly believe they will target a tall and strong WR that can stretch the field. I like Hopkins, Allen or Patterson in round one, or Robert Woods, Terrance Williams, or Josh Boyce a bit later.

Is there a dearth of WRs?

This is sort of assumed that the lack of explosiveness in the passing game was because of the WRs, but I just didn't see them get that many chances. Conventional wisdom says they couldn't get open. I'm not sure about that. I think they were open and/or could be thrown open by a more experienced and confidence QB, which the Vikings didn't have for most of last year. If I saw them constantly biffing plays I might think differently, but I'm just not sure I buy the conventional wisdom that all the Vikes need are better WRs and the passing game will automatically become more productive.

I'm not saying the Vikes shouldn't look to improve at WR if they can via either the draft or FA, but I'm also not convinced that #23 has to go to the BWA (Best Wide Receiver Available) at that spot, either, nor to the BWRA (Biggest Wide Receiver Available). I'd be content to see Spielman hold his fire there if better prospects are available. He has other options for buttressing the WR corps before next season, plus the passing game could improve simply by virtue of Ponder gaining experience and the confidence necessary to make those throws to the outside guys.

[Texas Vike]

Yes, I think that there is a significant dearth of talent at the WR position for the Vikings. I agree that part of the blame for a lame passing attack is definitely attributable to Ponder, but I think Jenkins, Aroma, Burton and Simpson did VERY LITTLE to help the unit last season.

I think we need to acquire 2 WRs that will upgrade the position. If the passing attack is still ineffective, we'll need to assess their production and possibly consider a new plan at QB. I personally think that Ponder will continue to progress, especially if we get him a fast, sure-handed #1 WR.