2014 Vikings Draft Discussion

[dead_poet]

[He's all over the field. Seems more complete than a guy like Barr, for example. He changed numbers a lot, apparently (48, 10, 2).

Yeah. A smaller guy, but he's still strong and can lay the wood. Good coverage skills (how long has it been since we've been able to say that about a Vikings 'backer?) I doubt he'll last to #40.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Yeah. A smaller guy, but he's still strong and can lay the wood. Good coverage skills (how long has it been since we've been able to say that about a Vikings 'backer?) I doubt he'll last to #40.

IIRC, Chris Caliborne wasn't all that bad at coverage. Honestly, I don't remember the last linebacker we had who excelled in coverage. That is pretty depressing.

[Eli]

I'd really lover to see Ryan Shazier playing weak side linebacker for the Vikings. He has the ideal skill set for it and that's the linebacking spot where the Vikings have the most need right now.

We're getting into that time of year before the draft where there are easily 50 or 60 or more players touted as 1st round prospects by the various draft pundits. They can't all be drafted in the 1st round. Shazier could easily be there for the Vikings at #40.

[Bigwehrm]

As a Towson alum, I would endorse this.

Even as an NDSU attendee cant say alumni as i didnt stay long enough to graduate. Haha. I still sat West is gonna be a sleeper pick in the late rounds.

[Funkytown]

Audie Cole - LB - Vikings

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune believes the Vikings will select at least one linebacker in the NFL Draft.

Despite having eight linebackers on the roster, Minnesota's only sure starter is SLB Chad Greenway. The middle linebacker position is currently held down by Audie Cole and Jasper Brinkley, while weak-side 'backer Gerald Hodges won't be guaranteed a starting job. New Vikings coach Mike Zimmer's Bengals defenses used thumpers in the middle with "run-and-hit" athletes on the outside.

Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
--

This Captain Obvious stuff is getting out of hand. This source believes this; that source believes that. Oftentimes it's the most obvious thing ever: "This team is in need of a quarterback; might draft one in May." Thanks. lol.

I freakin' HOPE the Vikings select at least one linebacker. Then again, the other day I read that it's "not really an obvious need" from one of the "experts," so, ya just never know.

[Slick Rick]

I'm just gonna do one last mock to see how it holds up.

I think we make a trade for 1st, 2nd and 4th rounders (The Jets have 12 picks, and WILL be interested in a certain corner who should be available at #8).

1. Anthony Barr
2a. Tom Savage
2b. Allen Robinson
3a. Stanley Jean-Baptiste
3b. Deone Bucannon
4a. Preston Brown
4b. De'Anthony Thomas
5. Ryan Carrethers
6. Chris Watt
7. Aaron Lynch

[S197]

Daniel Jeremiah and Charles Davis mock draft has both Bortles and Bridgewater falling out of the top 10. Manziel only QB taken. They mocked Mosley to the Vikings.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Daniel Jeremiah and Charles Davis mock draft has both Bortles and Bridgewater falling out of the top 10. Manziel only QB taken. They mocked Mosley to the Vikings.

Yeah I think we are going to see a serious drop in QBs. Especially Bridgewater. There is too much talent defensively and other offensive positions outside of QB. Nobody wants to reach like teams did in 2011

[S197]

Thanks for the info!

There's one other consideration, money. The first 10 picks of the draft receive an average of the top 10 players salaries at their position if a team decides to pick up the 5th year option. From 11-32, they're paid a lower average (3rd to 25th). So if some other team goes crazy and hands out an Albert Haynesworth contract, it impacts everyone trying to keep those top 10 picks (assuming same position) whereas it wouldn't impact a team selecting 11th-32nd.

I think the two rules together make the 11th and 32nd picks in the draft a little more valuable to hold. Similar to holding a pick right before the compensatory picks (which is held by the Vikings this year). It probably also makes the "trade chart" even less relevant than before the new CBA.

[Eli]

They showed Todd McShay's mock Top 10 earlier. He had Teddy going #1 to HOU, Bortles 3rd to JAX, Manziel 4th to OAK, and Carr 6th to CLE.

He had us taking Khalil Mack 8th.

Where did you see that? It's hard to believe his mock draft could go from one QB being taken in the top six to four QBs in just nine days.

[Funkytown]

SI's Peter King says the Vikings won't take a quarterback at No. 8 overall.

Another person who "knows" stuff.

Also, he is probably a member of this board...or could be:

King says the Vikings don't want to gamble with their first pick. "That's a big reason why we made it a high priority to sign Matt Cassel back," GM Rick Spielman said. "Every one of these quarterbacks … nothing is a sure thing. There's no Andrew Luck, no Peyton Manning." The Vikings know Cassel isn't the long-term answer, so they're still going to explore the quarterback market on Day 2 or 3. It's a strategy many teams appear ready to take.

--Source: Peter King on Twitter

[jackal]

I am guessing it will be pick 40 that we take the guy we want the most at QB going forward..

I would prefer the third round first pick but I am guessing it will the 40th overall unless we trade
around some and change picks

[Pondering Her Percy]

I am guessing it will be pick 40 that we take the guy we want the most at QB going forward..

I would prefer the third round first pick but I am guessing it will the 40th overall unless we trade
around some and change picks

The good thing about taking one at 40 is that these QBs are "projected" to fall and in turn, you might see some that were "projected" 1st rounders fall right on our lap

[Mothman]

SI's Peter King says the Vikings won't take a quarterback at No. 8 overall.

Another person who "knows" stuff.

Also, he is probably a member of this board...or could be:
--Source: Peter King on Twitter

King is one of the better connected NFL reporters but at this time of year, who knows if what he's hearing is a team's smokescreen or their true intentions. Spielman said back in february that he'd like to trade out of the #8 spot. Considering the nature of this draft, the team's needs on defense, their new coach's defensive background and some of the QBs the Vikings are supposedly interested in drafting, waiting until later to select one wouldn't be surprising. However, I'm betting the Vikes choice at #8, (assuming they keep the pick) will have a lot to do with what happens in picks 1-7 and I doubt King, or anybody else in the media, really knows how it will all go down.

[Texas Vike]

If all these reports and rumors are true, and I'm skeptical, if we can somehow get Mack/Mosley/Gilbert/Dennard at #8 and Bridgewater at #40 I'd dance in the streets naked.

Thanks for the warning. I'll watch the draft with the blinds closed.

Sid Hartman is also doing his part as spokesperson for Rick Spielman to announce to the world that the Vikings are not going QB w/ pick #8.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 53821.html

If anything the fact that this is getting media coverage actually makes it more likely that they DO pick a QB at 8.