Minnesota Sports Forum

I liked and still like the Morgan pick. It is just that this group of TE's is that good. I will be curious how good Shaneen is. 280lbs of TE that can block and catch. (former BBall player)

I think it is a normal QB class outside of no studs, but last year was weak too IMO. The sleeper guy I like is Davis Webb. He has the arm and height, but he needs to watch for 2 years. Remember when the Vikings developed QB's back in the 80's and 90's. Developed 2 Superbowl QBs in Rich Gannon and Brad Johnson.

bleedspeed177 wrote:I liked and still like the Morgan pick. It is just that this group of TE's is that good. I will be curious how good Shaneen is. 280lbs of TE that can block and catch. (former BBall player)

I think it is a normal QB class outside of no studs, but last year was weak too IMO. The sleeper guy I like is Davis Webb. He has the arm and height, but he needs to watch for 2 years. Remember when the Vikings developed QB's back in the 80's and 90's. Developed 2 Superbowl QBs in Rich Gannon and Brad Johnson.

It's amazing the QBs the franchise had during that time. Not only did they have top end guys but they also developed guys that either got paid (Todd Bowman) or were at worst top backups like Shaun Hill and Jay Fiedler. They were pretty good with various reclaimation projects too. It helped to have good WRs and a really good Oline with a couple HOFers. It's too bad that I don't think Denny Green will ever get the credit he probably deserves as a coach. Since he was fired the Vikings situation after Culpeeper has been not super great except 1 magic year with Farve. Hopefully Bradford and or Teddy can be something more than we have seen.

Figured I would take a stab at that fanspeak drafting. Went with Fanspeak board.

Fanspeak
2) Caleb Brantley DT Florida
3) Antonio Garcia OT Troy
3) Pat Elflein C Ohio State
4) Ethan Pocic C/G/OT LSU
4) Taywan Taylor WR Western Kentucky
5) Howard Wilson CB Houston
6) Zane Gonzalez K Arizona State
7) Dylan Cole LB Missouri State

As you can see I went heavy on the OL early. We are going to live or die with Sam Bradford and I'm sick of hoping for an average OL. All out competition in training camp at the C and RG slots between Berger, Easton, Sirles, Kerin, Pocic, and Elflein. Garcia is hopefully a starter in 2 years.

Brantley was too good to pass up, and would fit perfect next to Joseph.

Taylor is a polished route runner, very quick. Slot WR. Comps to Diggs.

Howard Wilson is a 6'1 corner with decent speed and excellent quickness. A project, but has all the tools.

Zane Gonzalez - obvious reasons.

Dylan Cole isnt very agile, but I'd hope he could develop into our ILB on 1st and 2nd downs. 32 bench reps, 39inch vertical at 240 lbs.

I'd love this draft.

Tough to go with 3 linemen in a single draft. I would pass on Garcia, Taylor, and Gonzalez in your draft.

I would look RB/S/TE with those picks.

I am thinking we go LT next year in the 1st round. I think Garcia is a fine project, would want to try and get day one starters in first 3 picks. (not that they have to but have a shot at it)


Dylan Cole is s freak. Ran 4.5 in 40.

I also like Jimmie Gilbert an outside linebacker out of Colorado that had 10.5 sacks, 16 more quarterback pressures, and 6 forced fumbles last year. Ran a 4.6 second 40 with 37" vert with bad hammy at 6-4 and 230lbs. Only started one year. That forced fumble number really stands out to me.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jimmie-gilbert-1.html

Stick him on special teams or practice squad to develop.

I really like King, Johnson, and Kittle form Iowa. Would love to land all 3 of these guys with first 5 picks.

Not the best review of them, but a quick breakdown of them. King is supposed to be a sure tackling CB/S. Jonhson is a pass rushing DT. Kittle is a do it all TE that can block, run, and catch.

http://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/football/2016/12/13/what-nfl-draft-experts-saying-iowas-top-players/95380644/

I played with drafting for Packers. (They have a ton of needs) It was interesting looking at different players compared to what the Vikings are looking for. Primary needs are Corner, RB, and guard.

Here is what I ended up with.
29: R1P29 TE DAVID NJOKU MIAMI (FLA.)
61: R2P29 G DORIAN JOHNSON PITT
93: R3P29 RB SAMAJE PERINE OKLAHOMA
134: R4P27 CB JALEN TABOR FLORIDA
172: R5P28 CB JOURDAN LEWIS MICHIGAN
182: R5P38 WR MACK HOLLINS NORTH CAROLINA
212: R6P28 DL TANZEL SMART TULANE
247: R7P29 S DAVID JONES RICHMOND
http://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/premium/draft.php?d=wwqris

I was thinking C, RB, and G with first 3 picks. Then Njoku fell to me and I had to take him. Even after signing Bennett it would be crazy to have him as another target for Rodgers. Then in the second I grabbed at Johnson as a starting guard. I looked at CB's and some of my top targets were gone and I then looked at draftting Hunt, but saw other options I liked at RB, but the guard position was getting thin. 3rd round I went with Perine as a smasher type back to run down clock and short yardage. They have nobody on the roster like this anymore. 4th and 5th I went with CB's. I think I got sloid value here with Tabor an Lewis. Then I grabbed Hollins with second 5th pick. He is a tall WR with good hands and speed which would give Rodgers another big target. 6th round I went DL after losing Peppers and Jones this seemed like a need. Smart would probably play DE for them. Finally in the 7th I was thinking edge rusher to replace Peppers, but went the David Jones when he was available. Tall/Fast Safety that has played corner and had a great 2015, but broke him arm in 2016 and only played 3 games.

So that is how I picked for them.

Computer picked these guys for us.
48: R2P16 RB ALVIN KAMARA MINNESOTA VIKINGS
79: R3P15 C PAT ELFLEIN MINNESOTA VIKINGS
86: R3P22 DL ELIJAH QUALLS MINNESOTA VIKINGS
120: R4P13 LB JALEN REEVES-MAYBIN
128: R4P21 G ISAAC ASIATA MINNESOTA VIKINGS
160: R5P16 S TEDRIC THOMPSON MINNESOTA VIKINGS
199: R6P15 WR KD CANNON MINNESOTA VIKINGS
232: R7P14 WR DAMORE'EA STRINGFELLOW MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Not a fan of Qualls or Thompson. Cannon and Stringfellow were great values, but not position of need.

Have you guys seen this?!??!

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl-draft-profile-deer-british-columbia-talented-raw-defensive-end-prospect-130527920.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=fb

That is interesting. Crazy bad luck

I have a way to little focus on productive things and created a draft board.

Team Needs:
C/G, DT/UT, RB, S, TE

My draft board is below by round.

2nd Round
G - Dorian Johnson - Pittsburg - Day One starter at RG (Expect Lamp to be gone)
DT - Caleb Brantley - Florida - NT/UT that can play 3 downs
CB - Kevin King - Washington - Xavier Rhodes 2.0 - Best press coverage CB in draft
RB - Joe Mixon - Oklahoma - One of the top 3 backs in the draft
CB - Adoree' Jackson - USC - Corner/Returner/WR

3rd Round (2 picks went 10 deep)
S - Obi Melifonwu - U Conn - Freakishly big safety that had a 100+ Tackles with good coverage. Looks like a hybrid safety.
RB Kareem Hunt - Toledo - Solid RB that can do it all. Jack of all trades and good at them all. Not great at anything.
OT - Taylor Moton - Western Michigan - highly rated G that might be able to play tackle.
DT - Jaleel Johnson - Iowa - UT that gets after the QB
TE - Gerald Everett - South Alabama - TE that makes people miss.
S - Desmond King - Iowa - Best tackling CB/NB/S in draft with good ball skills
TE - Adam Shaneen - Ashland - Huge TE that is 6'6" and 280lbs. Played Basketball in college.
DT - Dalvin Tomlinson - Alabama - NT that stuff the middle
DE - Carl Lawson - Auburn - 3 down DT that might be able to slide into UT on passing downs. Robinson replacement.
LB - Derek Rivers - Youngtown St - Big fast LB that can get after QB or drop into coverage

4th Round (2 picks went 10 deep)
DE - Demarcus Walker - FSU - Another big 3 down DE that could replace Robinson and play UT.
RB - Marlon Mack - South Florida - Bigplay back with 10+ plays over 40 yards last year.
C - Pat Elfein - Ohio State - Best run blocking lineman and a leader
LB - Blair Brown - Ohio - MLB Tackling machine
S - John Johnson - Boston College - Good coverage safety that has played corner
TE - George Kittle - Iowa - Fast (4.5 -40) and good blocking TE that can be a receiving threat.
S - Rayshawn Jenkins - Miami (FLA.) - Biggest hitting DB in draft.
C - Ethan Pocic - LSU - 6'6" center that played all over the line.
G - Isaac Asiata - Utah - Massive bulldozing RG that will open up the run.
OT - Roderick Johnson- FSU - Project LT

5th Round
CB - Jourdan Lewis - Michigan - Best rated slot CB
RB - TJ Logan - North Carolina - Product 3rd down back that is fast/small, but still can block
DT - Ryan Glasgow- Michigan - High motor UT (rotation player)
TE - Jeremy Sprinkle - Arkansas - Big project TE
LB - Matt Milano - Boston College - Coverage LB that can play special teams
OT - Jermaine Eluemunor - Texas A&M - Strong project OG

6th Round
WR - Mack Hollins - North Carolina - 6'4" WR with deep speed and good hands.
DT - Tanzel Smart - Tulane - Gap shooting UT
DE - Keionta Davis - Chattanooga - Large LE type DE that can play UT or even drop in coverage a little
C - Jon Toth - Kentucky - 3rd best center in draft. Could be a future starter.
LB - Dylan Cole - Missouri State - Freak Athlete to develop on special teams

7th Round
LB - Jimmy Gilbert - Colorado - Productive senior. 9 FF in career. Develop and use on special teams
DT - Stevie Tu'Ikolovatu - USC - NT that stops the run.
S - David Jones - Richmond - Fast tall S that has played CB. Develop and use in special teams
RB - Elijah McGuire - UL Lafayette - Returner and backup RB
TE - Josiah Price - Michigan State - Run blocking TE that caught 40+ passes last year in college.
G - Kyle Kalis - Michigan - Son of a former Viking. Solid RG prospect.

ESPN - 2017 NFL draft prospects to target for Vikings
http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/insider/story/_/id/19148855/draft-prospects-target-nfc-north-team-2017-nfl-draft

Day 1 (no pick as of today): Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State

Minnesota could trade back into the first round, and McDowell is a player to consider if they do. Sharrif Floyd, who played in just one game last season, suffered nerve damage during surgery to clean up the meniscus in his right knee, and the damage could reportedly end his career. Datone Jones, a free-agent signee, could see some time at 3-technique, but he's on a one-year deal and may be a better fit on the outside. A disappointing 2016 season and concerns about McDowell's motor caused his draft stock to drop, which means he could slip down to the second round. However, he's a first-round talent with the skill set to excel at 3-technique in the Vikings' scheme, so don't be surprised to see Minnesota move up to get him if the price is right.

Day 2: Dion Dawkins, OG/OT, Temple

General manager Rick Spielman should bring in a guard capable of pushing Willie Beavers for the starting spot opposite left guard Alex Boone. Dawkins was a three-year starter at left tackle at Temple, and he could play outside in a pinch. Dawkins projects better on the inside where he has the frame, power, smarts and nasty disposition to quickly develop into an effective starter.

Day 3: Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas

Kyle Rudolph is coming off a breakout season, but Rhett Ellison signed with the Giants and 2016 sixth-round pick David Morgan II is a better blocker than receiver. Sprinkle might be best known for getting suspended from the Belk Bowl after getting caught shoplifting from a Belk department store. Sprinkle's production doesn't match up with his talent, yet he could be a Day 3 steal, considering his upside as a receiver. He has the potential to emerge as an effective complement to Rudolph.