Pick 14

[VikingTom]

I really think I will be annoyed if Darrisaw and or Slater are there and we pass them for ED or CB. This is a chance to put the LT to bed and have a young four of New LT, Cleveland, Bradbury and O'Neill.

The Vikings almost always draft for need in the 1st, so I expect the pick will be one of those two if they drop to 14 or a trade back to pick up one of the later round LTs if they are not.

I have to ask you though, if the Vikings really liked Paye and felt he could be a double digit sack machine, would you be okay with them passing on him to pick up a LT who they might not like as much, but who fills a bigger need?

While I agree LT is a big need. Not to mention I like Slater, however there are a couple options I would also feel good about. If a QB have to think long and hard on that. That might also be a situation where another team offers good value on a trade for that pick. Beyond that Surtain is a guy who some mocks show falling to the Vikings. Horn is another CB that is a possibility of dropping a bit. Then of course there is Paye. Regardless of strong feelings about needing that LT, with the 14th pick it is important to come away with an impact player, which any of those guys could be.

[CharVike]

I really think I will be annoyed if Darrisaw and or Slater are there and we pass them for ED or CB. This is a chance to put the LT to bed and have a young four of New LT, Cleveland, Bradbury and O'Neill.

It looks like they are fixing the D. I expect that to continue. This OL they are building basically consist of guys that can play anywhere. Position don't matter. Maybe that's a good thing. It's different. It'll probably come down to a G in round 3 that barley weighs 300 and shifting him to LT. Or leave him at G and move someone else. I would hope they have a guy in mind already to take Reiffs spot and not relying on a 3rd or 4th round guy. If we had to line up right now who would man the spot? Most think Ezra should be there and I agree with that. So that won't happen.

[VikingTom]

I really think I will be annoyed if Darrisaw and or Slater are there and we pass them for ED or CB. This is a chance to put the LT to bed and have a young four of New LT, Cleveland, Bradbury and O'Neill.

It looks like they are fixing the D. I expect that to continue. This OL they are building basically consist of guys that can play anywhere. Position don't matter. Maybe that's a good thing. It's different. It'll probably come down to a G in round 3 that barley weighs 300 and shifting him to LT. Or leave him at G and move someone else. I would hope they have a guy in mind already to take Reiffs spot and not relying on a 3rd or 4th round guy. If we had to line up right now who would man the spot? Most think Ezra should be there and I agree with that. So that won't happen.

I think the Vikings are looking at Cleveland as their LT. I know some hard decisions had to be made due to the cap, but I believe the Vikings decided Cleveland was their LT plan when the released Reiff. Discussions regarding Brown or a LT falling could change that, but for now I see Cleveland as the LT, and I bet the Vikings at least for now also view him as the LT.

[StumpHunter]

It looks like they are fixing the D. I expect that to continue. This OL they are building basically consist of guys that can play anywhere. Position don't matter. Maybe that's a good thing. It's different. It'll probably come down to a G in round 3 that barley weighs 300 and shifting him to LT. Or leave him at G and move someone else. I would hope they have a guy in mind already to take Reiffs spot and not relying on a 3rd or 4th round guy. If we had to line up right now who would man the spot? Most think Ezra should be there and I agree with that. So that won't happen.

I think the Vikings are looking at Cleveland as their LT. I know some hard decisions had to be made due to the cap, but I believe the Vikings decided Cleveland was their LT plan when the released Reiff. Discussions regarding Brown or a LT falling could change that, but for now I see Cleveland as the LT, and I bet the Vikings at least for now also view him as the LT.

We won't know for sure until after the draft. Zimmer and Spielman are currently making it seem like they think Cleveland is still the starting RG, but that could be a smoke screen to make other teams believe they are still interested in taking a LT in the draft.

That being said, the Vikings banking on a late 2nd round pick as their starting LT without ever having seen him play LT in the NFL, in practice or games is a recipe for disaster. I think they know that, which is why I would be very surprised if Cleveland isn't the starting RG again in 2021. Which is absolutely fine.

[StumpHunter]

The Vikings almost always draft for need in the 1st, so I expect the pick will be one of those two if they drop to 14 or a trade back to pick up one of the later round LTs if they are not.

I have to ask you though, if the Vikings really liked Paye and felt he could be a double digit sack machine, would you be okay with them passing on him to pick up a LT who they might not like as much, but who fills a bigger need?

While I agree LT is a big need. Not to mention I like Slater, however there are a couple options I would also feel good about. If a QB have to think long and hard on that. That might also be a situation where another team offers good value on a trade for that pick. Beyond that Surtain is a guy who some mocks show falling to the Vikings. Horn is another CB that is a possibility of dropping a bit. Then of course there is Paye. Regardless of strong feelings about needing that LT, with the 14th pick it is important to come away with an impact player, which any of those guys could be.

I agree DE is as big of a need as LT. I thought that last year as well though, and they didn't draft a DE until the 4th.

[CharVike]

I think the Vikings are looking at Cleveland as their LT. I know some hard decisions had to be made due to the cap, but I believe the Vikings decided Cleveland was their LT plan when the released Reiff. Discussions regarding Brown or a LT falling could change that, but for now I see Cleveland as the LT, and I bet the Vikings at least for now also view him as the LT.

We won't know for sure until after the draft. Zimmer and Spielman are currently making it seem like they think Cleveland is still the starting RG, but that could be a smoke screen to make other teams believe they are still interested in taking a LT in the draft.

That being said, the Vikings banking on a late 2nd round pick as their starting LT without ever having seen him play LT in the NFL, in practice or games is a recipe for disaster. I think they know that, which is why I would be very surprised if Cleveland isn't the starting RG again in 2021. Which is absolutely fine.

I think after a year the Vikings have a pretty good idea of what Ezra can do. Will they tell everyone? No. IMO the type of player they seem to be looking for can be found throughout the draft. Based on who they have signed and drafted recently they don't consider getting the monster a fit. Like the O Brown guy. He don't fit at all at least from what I've seen. They want the smaller more mobile OL guys. I hate the whole idea but I'm not a pro scheme wise. I like size because it always wins in a size game. But those guys are hard to get.

[StumpHunter]

I hate the whole idea but I'm not a pro scheme wise. I like size because it always wins in a size game. But those guys are hard to get.

Yea, you keep saying this but I am not sure you have taken a look at the sizes of the best guards out there. Cleveland is 306 lbs with the frame to easily put on some beef to get even bigger.

Top 5 highest paid guards (average per year):
Brandon Scherff:324
Joe Thuney: 304
Brandon Brooks: 335
Zack Martin: 308
Glasgow: 307

Top 5 highest graded guards of 2020:
Wyatt Teller: 314
Ali Marpet: 307
Shaq Mason: 310
Joe Bitonio: 305
Quenton Nelson: 330

Brooks, Nelson and Scherff are significantly bigger than Cleveland but the rest are about the same size. Again though, I would be shocked if Cleveland doesn't come in at 310-315 after a full off season in the Vikings weight training program.

[VikingLord]

That being said, the Vikings banking on a late 2nd round pick as their starting LT without ever having seen him play LT in the NFL, in practice or games is a recipe for disaster. I think they know that, which is why I would be very surprised if Cleveland isn't the starting RG again in 2021. Which is absolutely fine.

This.

I completely agree, especially if they are banking on Cousins as they are. If Cousins is going to shine in 2021, he has to be well protected, and banking on a rookie at LT to be the bulwark of that protection is a huge gamble. It could work out, but even if they get a really good prospect who eventually develops into a really good LT, that isn't going to help if Cousins is constantly getting strip-sacked this season or the Vikings have to constantly give their LT extra blocking help.

It would be a real shame too given the team has so many good offensive weapons. OL generally, and that LT position specifically, have to be solid for them to shine. I hope Spielman and Zimmer have a plan. So far, I haven't seen much to indicate they are concerned. Maybe they know something the rest of us don't.

[Spot & Stalk Vike]

Whoever we pick please no QB's from Ohio State.

[S197]

That being said, the Vikings banking on a late 2nd round pick as their starting LT without ever having seen him play LT in the NFL, in practice or games is a recipe for disaster. I think they know that, which is why I would be very surprised if Cleveland isn't the starting RG again in 2021. Which is absolutely fine.

This.

I completely agree, especially if they are banking on Cousins as they are. If Cousins is going to shine in 2021, he has to be well protected, and banking on a rookie at LT to be the bulwark of that protection is a huge gamble. It could work out, but even if they get a really good prospect who eventually develops into a really good LT, that isn't going to help if Cousins is constantly getting strip-sacked this season or the Vikings have to constantly give their LT extra blocking help.

It would be a real shame too given the team has so many good offensive weapons. OL generally, and that LT position specifically, have to be solid for them to shine. I hope Spielman and Zimmer have a plan. So far, I haven't seen much to indicate they are concerned. Maybe they know something the rest of us don't.

Are you thinking O'Neill at LT?

[CharVike]

I hate the whole idea but I'm not a pro scheme wise. I like size because it always wins in a size game. But those guys are hard to get.

Yea, you keep saying this but I am not sure you have taken a look at the sizes of the best guards out there. Cleveland is 306 lbs with the frame to easily put on some beef to get even bigger.

Top 5 highest paid guards (average per year):
Brandon Scherff:324
Joe Thuney: 304
Brandon Brooks: 335
Zack Martin: 308
Glasgow: 307

Top 5 highest graded guards of 2020:
Wyatt Teller: 314
Ali Marpet: 307
Shaq Mason: 310
Joe Bitonio: 305
Quenton Nelson: 330

Brooks, Nelson and Scherff are significantly bigger than Cleveland but the rest are about the same size. Again though, I would be shocked if Cleveland doesn't come in at 310-315 after a full off season in the Vikings weight training program.

I'm not disagreeing with you. I like Brown's size 340.

[StumpHunter]

That being said, the Vikings banking on a late 2nd round pick as their starting LT without ever having seen him play LT in the NFL, in practice or games is a recipe for disaster. I think they know that, which is why I would be very surprised if Cleveland isn't the starting RG again in 2021. Which is absolutely fine.

This.

I completely agree, especially if they are banking on Cousins as they are. If Cousins is going to shine in 2021, he has to be well protected, and banking on a rookie at LT to be the bulwark of that protection is a huge gamble. It could work out, but even if they get a really good prospect who eventually develops into a really good LT, that isn't going to help if Cousins is constantly getting strip-sacked this season or the Vikings have to constantly give their LT extra blocking help.

It would be a real shame too given the team has so many good offensive weapons. OL generally, and that LT position specifically, have to be solid for them to shine. I hope Spielman and Zimmer have a plan. So far, I haven't seen much to indicate they are concerned. Maybe they know something the rest of us don't.

Whether you have Christian Ponder in the backfield or Tom Brady, if you have a guy who you want to play at LT in the next season on the roster, you give him snaps at LT in practice if not on the field to make sure he is ready for it. The Vikings never did that with Cleveland.

[StumpHunter]

Yea, you keep saying this but I am not sure you have taken a look at the sizes of the best guards out there. Cleveland is 306 lbs with the frame to easily put on some beef to get even bigger.

Top 5 highest paid guards (average per year):
Brandon Scherff:324
Joe Thuney: 304
Brandon Brooks: 335
Zack Martin: 308
Glasgow: 307

Top 5 highest graded guards of 2020:
Wyatt Teller: 314
Ali Marpet: 307
Shaq Mason: 310
Joe Bitonio: 305
Quenton Nelson: 330

Brooks, Nelson and Scherff are significantly bigger than Cleveland but the rest are about the same size. Again though, I would be shocked if Cleveland doesn't come in at 310-315 after a full off season in the Vikings weight training program.

I'm not disagreeing with you. I like Brown's size 340.

Deonte Brown? He doesn't fit the scheme of most NFL teams, and certainly doesn't fit the Vikings'.

[CharVike]

I'm not disagreeing with you. I like Brown's size 340.

Deonte Brown? He doesn't fit the scheme of most NFL teams, and certainly doesn't fit the Vikings'.

Ot
Orlando Brown. He's 340. It can work either way. I prefer the bigger player. Like when the Cowboys had Nate Newton. Landry was on the verge off cutting the big guy. He fit perfect for what Johnson was doing with E Smith. That to me is a ground game. Just pound with bigger people. It was hard to push Newton around. Eventually he would wear guys out. We along with other teams use a different approach. That can work also. It's not what I want to see. I read on viking wire they feel Mason Cole (291) will play G and Ezra to LT. That's on a prediction but Cole is a small guy at 291 for the NFL. It may work and I'm guessing Cole was traded for based on Kub's thoughts. It's not what I would prefer.

[VikingTom]

There are many possibilities in this draft. Will the Vikings catch a break with someone falling a bit? Will they trade down, and if so who would they be hoping to draft?

This is a very incomplete list of possibilities. Some would IMO be gems to get with the 14th overall pick. Some are possibilities should the Vikings trade down. While I did not list any, it is possible a QB could fall. Bottom line, there are always a few surprises in the draft. I fully expect the Vikings to be able to come up with a very good player in the 1st round regardless of staying put or moving down.

CB: Surtain, Horn, Farley
DE: Paye, Phillips, Oweh, Rousseau
OL: Slater, Darrisaw, Little, Jenkins, Vera-Tucker, Mayfield
LB: Owusu-Koramoah, Collins, Parsons