2014 Vikings Draft Discussion

[PurpleKoolaid]

I think they'd take him because he's not the one-dimensional player you're implying he is...

A lot of experts are implying that, and have been for months. Not saying he cant tackle or cover, but he is known for being an elite rushing LB. But I'd still take him at 8 if Teddy is gone.

[PurpleKoolaid]

You know whats funny, my mom has been watching more of the local TV recently (and radio) then she ever has before (unfortunately because of my fathers death this spring, and she lives alone). But I stopped over there at lunch today, and she said 'I hope they take that Dennard guy first and not that crazy QB'. Lol, this year it seems everyone is talking draft, I HATE the fact they moved it into May. Oh, and I agree on Dennard over Gilbert. Gilbert just more athletic, not a better CB.

[oldskoolvikingfan]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200000 ... ll-beckham

Jets looking to trade up into top 10 for LSU WR Beckham. Might be a potential trade partner for the vikings if they want to move down in the draft.

[Mothman]

"AJ McCarron will attempt to be just the third quarterback to win both a college national championship and a Super Bowl. The only two quarterbacks to do so are fellow Alabama alum Joe Namath (1964 national championship and Super Bowl III) and Joe Montana (1977 national championship and Super Bowls XVI, XIX, XXIII and XXIV)."

Clearly not looking good for McCarron's chances...

Oh, I don't know about that. After all, there are already two QBs who have managed to do it.

[mosscarter]

mccarron will be lucky to get drafted by the 5th round. the nfl is over hyping this draft to the point i just want it over with. everyone is talking about it and i think it will be a letdown. i hope we get a a good cb or lb with our first, and then likely we'll end up with a second tier qb. if they draft another d-lineman at 8 i'll turn off the television. manziel won't be there, but i think there is a good chance the other 3 are. i wouldn't mind winding up with carr, but now it looks like he is ahead of teddy. hell, shaun king has teddy still going in the top 5. at this point this has become like days of our lives, and its nearly impossible to ignore its on espn, espn news, nfl channel, and espn 2. just what goodell wants, but like mark cuban said the nfl better watch itself in the future they are becoming way too greedy.

[VikingLord]

I think they'd take him because he's not the one-dimensional player you're implying he is...

I didn't mean to imply he's one-dimensional per se. What I am trying to say is that he's exceptional as a pash-rushing LB, but I see him as a fairly typical pass-defender, and on the balance, the ability to defend the pass is a more rare and valuable skill for a LB than the ability to rush the passer, especially for a team running a 4-3.

I just don't see an exceptional overall LB in Mack. I see a guy who could be exceptional in certain situational play more than a stud every down LB.

[VikingLord]

I'd be OK with Mosley too, but Mack is a freak.

Thanks for sharing those assessments. I don't want to imply I'd be unhappy with Mack at #8, but just trying to say I'd value pass defense skills and overall awareness more at #8 than pure athletic skill or potential, and from what I've seen Mosely is just a more instinctive and fluid pass defender who is also solid against the run. I see Mack in a slightly different light, although as you point out he has a lot of very good evaluators who see him as a very effective pass defender as well.

One thing I think the Vikes have going for them in this draft is Zimmer. I really trust Zimmer when it comes to defensive evaluation. I think he knows exactly what he's looking for on the defensive side and I think the chances of the Vikings making a mistake at #8 should they go defense is very small, so if they take Mack I'll feel pretty good about it even if I'm not personally in agreement with the choice.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Also, in Spielman's presser, he mentioned trading down quite often and he mentioned trading down to 16 which is Dallas. Don't be surprised if that is who we trade down with

[Mothman]

I didn't mean to imply he's one-dimensional per se. What I am trying to say is that he's exceptional as a pash-rushing LB, but I see him as a fairly typical pass-defender, and on the balance, the ability to defend the pass is a more rare and valuable skill for a LB than the ability to rush the passer, especially for a team running a 4-3.

I just don't see an exceptional overall LB in Mack. I see a guy who could be exceptional in certain situational play more than a stud every down LB.

I see. I clearly misunderstood you so thanks for the clarification.

[Texas Vike]

Sounds like Rick Spielman is tired of waiting too:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... page=2&c=y

I still have a hunch they'll trade out of 8. Sounds like they're fielding lots of calls for it and "lining up their dancing partners".

[dead_poet]

Sounds like Rick Spielman is tired of waiting too:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... page=2&c=y

I still have a hunch they'll trade out of 8. Sounds like they're fielding lots of calls for it and "lining up their dancing partners".

I think it'll be like last year. I recall Spielman mentioning how they had certain players they wanted at their spots (Rhodes being one of them), so they trusted their evaluations and kept the pick. I trust it'll be like that. If a player they covet is there at 8, they'll pull the trigger. If not, they'll trade back (provided they get adequate trade compensation). One thing I don't see is a move UP.

[dead_poet]

Thanks for sharing those assessments. I don't want to imply I'd be unhappy with Mack at #8, but just trying to say I'd value pass defense skills and overall awareness more at #8 than pure athletic skill or potential, and from what I've seen Mosely is just a more instinctive and fluid pass defender who is also solid against the run. I see Mack in a slightly different light, although as you point out he has a lot of very good evaluators who see him as a very effective pass defender as well.

I totally get it. I just see Mack a bit differently. I think he's superior to Mosley as a run defender and pass rusher and (at least in my evaluation), if Mosley is slightly better in coverage, it doesn't make up for Mack's superiority in the other categories. On my board at least, Mack is ranked higher. I'd take either, of course, but I'd have a hard time pulling the trigger with Mosley at #8 overall.

[dead_poet]

Zach Mettenberger - QB - Player

Sources tell NFL Network that LSU QB Zach Mettenberger has been red-flagged by several teams due to a back condition.

Mettenberger has Spondylolysis -- a stress fracture in one of his vertebrae that make up the spinal column. If the condition eventually weakens the bone too much, surgery may become necessary. It's not an immediate issue, but it's yet another concern on the big-armed pocket passer that's drawn some Joe Flacco comparisons. Mettenberger was already coming off a torn ACL and generated a diluted urine sample for his drug test at the Combine. His status as a Day 2 prospect appears shaky.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

[dead_poet]

Scouts who went in to LSU heard better things about Jeremy Hill than Zach Mettenberger. That alone would be enough to scare me off ZM. Toss in Mettenberger's lack of mobility and poor accuracy when he doesn't have a perfect pocket -- I'll pass, no matter how big his arm is.

Tom Pelissero on Twitter

[Mothman]

Zach Mettenberger - QB - Player

Sources tell NFL Network that LSU QB Zach Mettenberger has been red-flagged by several teams due to a back condition.

Mettenberger has Spondylolysis -- a stress fracture in one of his vertebrae that make up the spinal column. If the condition eventually weakens the bone too much, surgery may become necessary. It's not an immediate issue, but it's yet another concern on the big-armed pocket passer that's drawn some Joe Flacco comparisons. Mettenberger was already coming off a torn ACL and generated a diluted urine sample for his drug test at the Combine. His status as a Day 2 prospect appears shaky.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

He's starting to look like a candidate who could fall out of day 2, isn't he?