Who do we draft?

[HardcoreVikesFan]

So far here are my targets for pick number 11 so far (based solely off the Combine and previous tape): Brandon Scherff, Amari Cooper, Devante Parker, Ereck Flowers, Andrus Peat.

This list will change when we see more tomorrow.

[dead_poet]

Owamagbe Odighizuwa - DL - Bruins

UCLA EDGE Owamagbe Odighizuwa recorded a 1.62 10 yard split during his 4.62 forty.

That is at 6'3.5" and 267 lbs with 33 3/4" arms and 11" hands. Owa added a 39" vertical, 10'7" broad jump, 7.36 3-cone and 4.19 20 yard short shuttle. He had an awesome day. Owa is one of the best at converting speed to power with hand use in this class.

[dead_poet]

Stephone Anthony - LB - Tigers

Clemson's Stephone Anthony is "one of the best ILB prospects in the draft no one is paying attention to," noted TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline.

The analyst added that he was happy to see Anthony "tear it up" at Sunday's combine workouts. Anthony posted a sensational 4.56 forty. He chipped in 23 bench press reps, a 37-inch vertical, and a 122-inch broad jump. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Anthony, a prototypical inside linebacker, has had his anticipation questioned in the past, but nobody will take issue with his athleticism after today. NFL.com compares him to Zach Orr.
Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter

[dead_poet]

Kevin White - WR - Mountaineers

West Virginia WR Kevin White "tested off the charts and then translated that athleticism during the positional drills at Lucas Oil Stadium, standing out with his routes and hands," wrote CBS Sports' Dane Brugler.

White was Saturday's biggest star, posting a 4.35 40-yard dash. "White also impressed during the QB-WR positional drills with quick hands and steady concentration in the gauntlet, not breaking stride or slowing to adjust to passes," Brugler wrote. "He is at his best tracking the ball over his shoulder and extending to attack the ball away from his frame, which he showed during passing drills on vertical routes downfield." The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder is likely to be a top-10 pick in April.
Source: CBS Sports

[nfcnorthchamps25]

I would trade Peterson straight up for Melvin Gordon and use the money we save on a FA WR. Want us to evolve into more of a passing offense anyways

[dead_poet]

Devin Smith - WR - Buckeyes

Ohio State WR Devin Smith ran forty times of 4.42 and 4.47 at the NFL Scouting Combine.

We think these disappointing times -- Smith had reportedly run a 4.33 forty in the past, was hoping to clock in the 4.3s, and had "a chance to run in the 4.2 range," according to ESPN's Todd McShay -- might end the receiver's dream of going in Round 1. That said, Smith is still ticketed for no worse than a Round 2 selection. "He tracks the deep ball as well as any college wide receiver I've seen in years," said NFL Network's Mike Mayock.

[Texas Vike]

Devin Smith - WR - Buckeyes

Ohio State WR Devin Smith ran forty times of 4.42 and 4.47 at the NFL Scouting Combine.

We think these disappointing times -- Smith had reportedly run a 4.33 forty in the past, was hoping to clock in the 4.3s, and had "a chance to run in the 4.2 range," according to ESPN's Todd McShay -- might end the receiver's dream of going in Round 1. That said, Smith is still ticketed for no worse than a Round 2 selection. "He tracks the deep ball as well as any college wide receiver I've seen in years," said NFL Network's Mike Mayock.

Good! I wouldn't mind Smith in rd. 2.

[dead_poet]

@GoesslingESPN Todd McShay puts Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes' draft ceiling at No. 11 to #Vikings.

[fiestavike]

I would trade Peterson straight up for Melvin Gordon and use the money we save on a FA WR. Want us to evolve into more of a passing offense anyways

Melvin Gordon won't be a great NFL running back. He's much too passive and evasive. I think he's next in the line of Wisconson RBs who won't live up to the hype at the next level. A guy like EZ Elliot next year is a much better NFL prospect.

[dead_poet]

Amari Cooper - WR - Crimson Tide

Alabama WR Amari Cooper is "one of the better route runners to come out in a long, long time," an NFL scout said.

"Very skilled, explosive and fast," he added. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound Cooper ran a 4.42 forty with a 1.62 10-yard split on Saturday. He posted 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. "Dynamic player," another scout said. "Quick, fast, agile, good hands. Difference-maker."
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

[Mothman]

Amari Cooper - WR - Crimson Tide

Alabama WR Amari Cooper is "one of the better route runners to come out in a long, long time," an NFL scout said.

"Very skilled, explosive and fast," he added. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound Cooper ran a 4.42 forty with a 1.62 10-yard split on Saturday. He posted 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. "Dynamic player," another scout said. "Quick, fast, agile, good hands. Difference-maker."
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

It's the "skilled" part of that equation that really appeals to me. Unfortunately, at this point, it sure seems unlikely he'll be available to the Vikings at #11 unless something changes. The draft is still months away so you never know but I'm thinking the Vikes won't land Cooper without a trade up.

[dead_poet]

It's the "skilled" part of that equation that really appeals to me. Unfortunately, at this point, it sure seems unlikely he'll be available to the Vikings at #11 unless something changes. The draft is still months away so you never know but I'm thinking the Vikes won't land Cooper without a trade up.

I'm not sure. There's some real debate about the top-3 receivers (primarily White, Cooper, Parker) and where they'll go. I'd be kind of shocked if two go in the top-10. Of course if that's true that would open up more options for the Vikings and wouldn't necessarily limit them from choosing the last of those three if they are highly graded on their board (in relation to others still available).

It's interesting that the top-3 are all gone here by pick 14: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/mock-drafts

[dead_poet]

Wow. Fast riser. I was kinda hoping for him in round 2. Now there doesn't seem like the chance he'll last that long.

Jalen Collins - DB - Tigers

ESPN Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes that LSU CB Jalen Collins "could go middle of the first round, at worst somewhere between 20-30."

"He's a kind of guy you think you could develop into a No. 1 corner," Kiper said during Thursday's media teleconference. "I think he could go middle of the first round, at worst somewhere between 20-30, but I really could see him jumping up to the middle of the first round now. He's one of the guys highlighted as having a very good (Combine) workout." The LSU prospect checked off some boxes for some evaluators in Indy, clocking a 4.48 40-yard dash(ranked 9th), a 6.77 seconds in the 3-cone drill(ranked 2nd), and a 10’4" broad jump (ranked 9th), with a 36" vertical (ranked 13th). Collins was originally advised to return to school for another season by the NFL advisory committee; however, things are looking good for a first-round selection in April.
Source: The Times-Picayune

[CbusVikesFan]

I'm optimistic that the draft will bode well for the Vikes this year. There are many ways to improve the team overall in the first 4 rounds, choose well and this team could move up in the rankings this year. I see great improvement potential.
But which way will they go? I think everyone will agree that WR is a position of need. This year, like last harbors a deep class. So should we go for one of the top performers or try to find that gem later? There are few MLB's which is also a need but class is very weak to say the least not very impressive at the combine overall. None of these guys warrant a high first round pick. CB is another need as well as guard.
So, could we go CB, WR, G, LB or WR, CB, LB, G? Could work out also to go CB, MLB, WR, G. Been at odds with these scenarios. There are many intriguing players that would work well with our needs. One of these players is Nelson Algholor. Not blazing speed but I like the way he catches the ball with his hands. Anyways, I hope that we grade out well in the next two stages of the season. FA and draft.

[Demi]

Hope we don't spend another early pick on an offensive lineman.