2020 Vikings Draft Thread

[bleedspeed]

I saw that. That is pretty impressive. That alone will be enough to get them drafted. They both have short arms which hurts them, but Khalil Davis still produced 8 sacks last year and had 11 tackles for a loss. That to me shows he has figured out how to maximize his strengths and minimize his limitations.

The combine showed this group of DL is not as weak as thought and I think the CB and WR came back down to earth a bit. I think The LB surprised me with some guys.

[Monster]

JD Spielman is away from the Huskers temporarily for a "personal health issue" and there is speculation he could transfer to the gophers. It would be a pretty big loss for Nebraska and if I was Spielman and I could find my way to play for a coach who is likely to land another WR in the 1st round that might not be a bad move. Maybe he really is sick etc. If he is leaving Nebraska at least it seems he will be going to the Gophers.

[bleedspeed]

I had not heard that one. Wouldn't he have to sit out a year?

[Monster]

I had not heard that one. Wouldn't he have to sit out a year?

Yeah unless he gets a granted a waiver for being homesick or some other reason. I've given up on understanding what the NCAA grants or doesn't grant for those. Honestly that's one of my biggest beefs with the NCAA is my perception that there is little to no consistency in what they do.

[bleedspeed]

It would be interesting. I would be shocked if he transferred, but it would be a good pickup for the Gophers.

I saw Kahli Davis move up to 3rd round in someone's mocks. I didn't know much about him before this, but he will definitely rise up the boards. Quick and strong, but lacks length.

TDN Notes:

PROS: Violence and quickness are the calling cards of his game. A true one-gap penetrator who knifes through the LOS with an explosive first step, leading to many early wins for the senior defensive tackle. Throws haymakers with his heavy hands to deconstruct blocks and keep himself free at the point of attack. Plays with natural leverage, balance, and impressive bend. Ultra productive and consistent as a pass rusher in his senior year.

CONS: Undersized by most NFL standards. Lack of length is worrisome at the point of attack, and it is exploited if he fails to win off the snap with his quick first step. Gets washed in the run game, specifically when tasked to handle doubles, because of his below-average play strength and less than ideal frame. Tightly limited to certain schemes as a three-technique only

[Monster]

It would be interesting. I would be shocked if he transferred, but it would be a good pickup for the Gophers.

I saw Kahli Davis move up to 3rd round in someone's mocks. I didn't know much about him before this, but he will definitely rise up the boards. Quick and strong, but lacks length.

TDN Notes:

PROS: Violence and quickness are the calling cards of his game. A true one-gap penetrator who knifes through the LOS with an explosive first step, leading to many early wins for the senior defensive tackle. Throws haymakers with his heavy hands to deconstruct blocks and keep himself free at the point of attack. Plays with natural leverage, balance, and impressive bend. Ultra productive and consistent as a pass rusher in his senior year.

CONS: Undersized by most NFL standards. Lack of length is worrisome at the point of attack, and it is exploited if he fails to win off the snap with his quick first step. Gets washed in the run game, specifically when tasked to handle doubles, because of his below-average play strength and less than ideal frame. Tightly limited to certain schemes as a three-technique only

My sources are biased but everyone raves about both of the Davis Twins as people. They had 3 different defensive coordinators and that many different DL coaches too. Could have probably left or complained etc but just kept at it. The pass rush on the outside for nebraska during their time here was essentially non existent (I think sometimes one of them even played outside some because of lack of options) so it's not like they were being freed up getting to the QB. The rush defense here has sucked for...idk how long. Nebraska fans wake up with nightmares of big 10 teams rushing for 200+ yards so...idk but other guys have gotten drafted and had success at that next level that got run over by the Badgers etc.

Speaking of Badgers did you see Jonathon Taylor ran a 4.39 40? I always thought he was faster than people said...but that's pretty good.

[bleedspeed]

The Davis brother's weakness is they are not supposed to be great against the run, but honestly, they both would be best as three techniques. The Vikings certainly have a need there and they kind of have an inside guy to the Husker locker room.

.I saw that about Taylor. I hope he gets drafted early like before the Vikings. He couldn't have done any more in college. I am worried about the Cook situation. We can't commit money to him. I think if there is any threat of hold out we draft a guy. I really like AJ Dillion as a mid/late round back for us. Not a traditional zone guy, but just a beast and is not just a straight-ahead Okoye type.

Love this highlight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4zb2ZOdys4

NFL Combine results
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/aj-dillon?id=32194449-4c23-7740-624c-afbd67329c54

[Monster]

The Davis brother's weakness is they are not supposed to be great against the run, but honestly, they both would be best as three techniques. The Vikings certainly have a need there and they kind of have an inside guy to the Husker locker room.

.I saw that about Taylor. I hope he gets drafted early like before the Vikings. He couldn't have done any more in college. I am worried about the Cook situation. We can't commit money to him. I think if there is any threat of hold out we draft a guy. I really like AJ Dillion as a mid/late round back for us. Not a traditional zone guy, but just a beast and is not just a straight-ahead Okoye type.

Love this highlight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4zb2ZOdys4

NFL Combine results
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/aj-dillon?id=32194449-4c23-7740-624c-afbd67329c54

The Vikings can get Cook paid and not really affect this year's cap situation if they want to unless Cook is really going bonkers or something. The question is how much do they want to pay him in the future. I'm sure he and his agent want legit guaranteed money (in case of injury) and again I can't blame them one bit. Like I said unless Cook has some sore of ridiculous demands my guess is the Vikings get him taken care of.

Dillon would give the Vikings a true big back which they don't really have although all their guys except Ameer run pretty tough. His running style seems like it would be a solid fit with the scheme the Vikings run. I think the issue I have with him is he has 21 career receptions. Is he good enough out of the backfield?

The Vikings RB situation even if Cook doesn't play is in pretty good shape relatively speaking. I'd guess Ameer is back for depth and his abilities on Special teams and he will be cheap. They have Mattison plus Boone and yeah they could draft a guy like you are suggesting or get an undrafted FA etc. They have like 35 Oregon offensive players on the roster including a RB. lol I doubt CJ Ham is going to cost a ton to retain but they will need a bit of space to give him some sort of raise.

EDIT: I didn't see before Dillon had a 41" vert. I watched the video its none of this running and jumping its stand still and get up. Vikings like athletes maybe he can play DE too. lol

[bleedspeed]

I worry about Cook being able to carry the load. We certainly don't need an RB but love this Dillion kid. He would be a good goal line or short-yardage guy at a minimum. Cook could be the guy to break the game open and Dillion would be to run the clock out. I think Mattison can do that too and we are already invested there, but Dillion seems like one of those once every 5 years type power backs.

Mattison worked out great for us so I can't complain much even though I felt like we should have gone DB with that pick. I agree I think CJ doesn't get much money. Khari Blasingame ended up being the FB for the Titans and he got a lot of playing time block for Derrick Henry.

Speaking of Henry check out his combine profile.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/derrick-henry?id=2555221

AJ Dillion needs to go to the Steelers or Bears where they can play power football outside.

[bleedspeed]

Another Mock

https://thevikingage.com/2020/03/04/minnesota-vikings-draft-2020-post-combine-mock/

1st Round - Xavier McKinney - Safety (Alabama)
2nd Round - Ezra Cleveland - OT (Boise State)
3rd Round - Thaddeus Moss - TE (LSU)
4th Round - Michael Pittman Jr. - WR (USC)
6th Round - Stanford Samuels - CB (Florida State)
7th Round - Mohamed Barry - LB (Nebraska)
7th Rond - Mike Panasiuk - DT (Michigan State)

I can't see us drafting a TE in 3rd round, but what do I know. I love the Stanford Samuels pick. He was moving up boards and was looking like a late 2nd rounder and then ran a slow 40 the combine. He is a true junior who started 3 years and had 60 tackles last year. He also had 8 picks over his career.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/stanford-samuels?id=32195341-4d72-3337-4007-65a70fbc0494