PHP's Full-Throttle Mock Offseason

[Husker Vike]

I have watched Stanley Jean-Baptiste throughout his career at Nebraska and he really has gotten better, his tackling is what needs to get better but he can be pretty good in coverage. I really enjoyed your mock draft,looks like that took some time. I think he will go early 3rd round.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Which is what? Playing one out of every eight snaps?

If we re-sign Griffen what do you expect him to do? Start? He will be a rotational defensive end. That's what we need at this point

[Pondering Her Percy]

Great job PHP! Besides Carr I enjoyed and go along with most all of your choices and decisions.

Thanks PB! Much appreciated. I hear you on Carr. I'm not a fan of him whatsoever in the 1st but think he would be great value in the 2nd. His arm is the real deal, however he does have his flaws. Either way, I think Norv would do a great job coaching him up

[Pondering Her Percy]

Just Say No on Jason Cambel I don't see him as upgrade over Cassel or even Ponder . I like some of the other choices , great job !

Trust me it was a struggle putting Campbell in there but I'm worried Cassel will command too much. Maybe we could still rope him in though, who knows

[Pondering Her Percy]

I have watched Stanley Jean-Baptiste throughout his career at Nebraska and he really has gotten better, his tackling is what needs to get better but he can be pretty good in coverage. I really enjoyed your mock draft,looks like that took some time. I think he will go early 3rd round.

Thanks a lot! I love Jean-Baptiste and think he can be a definite sleeper in this draft. Dude is a stud

[saint33]

Which is what? Playing one out of every eight snaps?

He played 60% of the snaps this year, only 20 snaps less than Kevin Williams.

[S197]

As for all mocks, this is just my prediction of how things could go, not saying anything is set in stone. As for the free agents I had us sign, some may say that 6 is too many but 3 out of the 6 are on 1 year deals and 1 is on a cheaper 2 year deal.

I also added in the entire 1st round and part of the 2nd round as well. But stopped after out first 2nd round pick because predicting anything after that is nearly impossible.

First off, nice job that looks like it took a lot of time and effort. In terms of the draft, assuming the board shakes out the way you are currently predicting, I can see the Vikings taking Barr at #8. Zimmer's scheme seems to emphasize a pass rush from the SAM position and Barr certainly fits the bill. I'd prefer Mack but I agree with you that he'll be gone. Also Pittsburgh seems to have too many holes to be a candidate trade partner.

Also based on your mock, I would look at David Yankey the guard out of Stanford in the 2nd. I like his athleticism and strength and at his size, he might even be able to move to tackle down the road or in relief duty. He and Kalil on the left side could make for an amazing tandem.

Also, Kelvin Benjamin is claiming he can run a 4.3. If he does it at the combine (or even 4.4) I think he'll rocket up the draft boards and really disrupt the mocks. His measurables are Calvin Johnson 2.0.

[Pondering Her Percy]

First off, nice job that looks like it took a lot of time and effort. In terms of the draft, assuming the board shakes out the way you are currently predicting, I can see the Vikings taking Barr at #8. Zimmer's scheme seems to emphasize a pass rush from the SAM position and Barr certainly fits the bill. I'd prefer Mack but I agree with you that he'll be gone. Also Pittsburgh seems to have too many holes to be a candidate trade partner.

Also based on your mock, I would look at David Yankey the guard out of Stanford in the 2nd. I like his athleticism and strength and at his size, he might even be able to move to tackle down the road or in relief duty. He and Kalil on the left side could make for an amazing tandem.

Also, Kelvin Benjamin is claiming he can run a 4.3. If he does it at the combine (or even 4.4) I think he'll rocket up the draft boards and really disrupt the mocks. His measurables are Calvin Johnson 2.0.

Thanks for the feedback S197!

When it comes to Barr, I'm personally just not a fan of him. He reminds me of Dion Jordan last year. Very raw and will need a lot of coaching and someone is gong to take a gamble on him. I just hope it isn't us. I would take Mack, Nix, or Mosely before I would touch Barr.

Yankey actually had a pretty bad showing at the combine today. His athleticism and strength definitely didn't show today. He had one of the slowest 40's/10 yards split and was one of the lowest in the bench press as well. He might fall farther than some may think.

I think Benjamin is a poor man's Calvin Johnson, similar to what you mentioned. Although, I am still not sold on taking a WR with an early round pick. A deep threat isn't going to turn this team around but the right QB and rebuilding a defense will. I would rather go that route personally

[S197]

I think Yankey is one of those guys where it shows up more on the field than in certain drills. Bench press for a guy that's 6'6 and has 34" arms is going to be tougher than a guy with shorter arms. I didn't really look at the combine numbers but if he did that poorly then maybe he will slip a little, which might not be a bad thing.

I don't think the Vikings will draft Benjamin, I just think if he runs as fast as he says he will, his freakish athleticism will entice someone to take him higher than most expect and throw off a lot of mocks. We'll see though, I hear he's pretty raw with the route running and his hands aren't the best. He can certainly improve his stock a ton tomorrow.

[frosted]

I think Yankey is one of those guys where it shows up more on the field than in certain drills. Bench press for a guy that's 6'6 and has 34" arms is going to be tougher than a guy with shorter arms. I didn't really look at the combine numbers but if he did that poorly then maybe he will slip a little, which might not be a bad thing.

I don't think the Vikings will draft Benjamin, I just think if he runs as fast as he says he will, his freakish athleticism will entice someone to take him higher than most expect and throw off a lot of mocks. We'll see though, I hear he's pretty raw with the route running and his hands aren't the best. He can certainly improve his stock a ton tomorrow.

I think you are spot on in regards to Yankey. Stanford players the last few years don't necessarily test out well as far as measurables go at the scouting combine and such, but they are trained a bit differently, and that has a lot to do with it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/31/sport ... ted=1&_r=0

That's an awesome article. Give it a read, the Stanford strength and conditioning coach is a big believer in flexibility and functional strength. It definitely shows on the football field.

Check out Barry J. Sanders doing some foam rolling:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2013/1 ... RD-11.html

Making his pops proud.

[S197]

I think you are spot on in regards to Yankey. Stanford players the last few years don't necessarily test out well as far as measurables go at the scouting combine and such, but they are trained a bit differently, and that has a lot to do with it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/31/sport ... ted=1&_r=0

That's an awesome article. Give it a read, the Stanford strength and conditioning coach is a big believer in flexibility and functional strength. It definitely shows on the football field.

Check out Barry J. Sanders doing some foam rolling:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2013/1 ... RD-11.html

Making his pops proud.

Nice article, thanks for the link!

[SaintCity86]

I hate this mock.

We need a qb. If we don't trade up to grab bortles. Then I say forget the qb positing all together this year and pick up Mariota next year FOR SURE. I wanna see how Winston pans out too.

WE NEED A QB. Seattle has been this good for a while, the qb pushed them over the edge, we can build around the qb all we want, it won't translate till we have a qb. It's gonna take a few years for the new qb to get his feet under him. That's when you build around him. And fast if he's that good.


This whole Viking mentality that we need to build around the qb constantly and wait for one to fall in our laps is bull.

The only times the vikings have been successful, is with a star qb behind center. Tarkington, favre, and cunningham.

I mean Jesus.

And I wish people would stop saying we tried this a few years ago.
No. Ponder WAS NOT a top prospect that we gambled on. He was a second rounder that we picked in the first round like #### idiots. Newton went in that draft am I wrong?

Gambling on a top qb would have been jumping to get newton.. and THAT failing.

The vikings haven't taken a qb at the to of the Draft ever I don't think.

We always under estimate the Draft. Take the hershall Walker trade. We'd rather give up on Emmit Smith as a Draft prospect, plus how many other Draft picks that trade, for a washed up player?

Until we take a qb high. It's hopeless.

You've Just Been Tapatold ♧♢dbombROMv3.4♤♡

[Funkytown]

The only times the vikings have been successful, is with a star qb behind center. Tarkington, favre, and cunningham.

I mean Jesus.

Wait, when did we have Jesus? We couldn't even win with him? Now I understand the frustration!

I'm only kidding. You're not alone in wanting a QB, but every team has to be smart about it. This has been discussed a lot. Look around. A lot of good points have been made about building your team with as much talent as you can, while continually exploring the QB position, without forcing picks when a more sure-thing talent is available that could help the team for years to come. Team building takes time, and it needs to be done regardless of the order. Building around a QB is a great thought, but sometimes it doesn't work out that way (maybe somewhat like your Seattle example?). But, make no mistake, we all want that franchise quarterback.

Also, it's Tarkenton.

Also, why use Seattle as an example and then suggest we need to take a QB high?

[Texas Vike]

I hate this mock.

We need a qb. If we don't trade up to grab bortles. Then I say forget the qb positing all together this year and pick up Mariota next year FOR SURE. I wanna see how Winston pans out too.

WE NEED A QB. Seattle has been this good for a while, the qb pushed them over the edge, we can build around the qb all we want, it won't translate till we have a qb. It's gonna take a few years for the new qb to get his feet under him. That's when you build around him. And fast if he's that good.


This whole Viking mentality that we need to build around the qb constantly and wait for one to fall in our laps is bull.

The only times the vikings have been successful, is with a star qb behind center. Tarkington, favre, and cunningham.

I mean Jesus.

And I wish people would stop saying we tried this a few years ago.
No. Ponder WAS NOT a top prospect that we gambled on. He was a second rounder that we picked in the first round like #### idiots. Newton went in that draft am I wrong?

Gambling on a top qb would have been jumping to get newton.. and THAT failing.

The vikings haven't taken a qb at the to of the Draft ever I don't think.

We always under estimate the Draft. Take the hershall Walker trade. We'd rather give up on Emmit Smith as a Draft prospect, plus how many other Draft picks that trade, for a washed up player?

Until we take a qb high. It's hopeless.

You've Just Been Tapatold ♧♢dbombROMv3.4♤♡

Yes, you're wrong. Bortles is not worth trading up for. I don't think any of the QB prospects this year warrant a trade up--they just aren't sure thing picks.

[Mothman]

Until we take a qb high. It's hopeless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YXwHBzKGQM

Step away from the edge. It's not hopeless and it's not necessary to take a QB high in the draft to be successful or to win a Super Bowl.