Minnesota Sports Forum

As Vikings fans our eyes should be turning to the draft.

Below is top 10 college players by position to get us started.

http://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings

It's hard to get excited about the draft with no first round pick and there's always a bunch of picks that change plans and leave guys on the board to take in the 2nd round. We have needs virtually everywhere and frankly can't afford to trade up because we need depth badly. It's not what we need badly, but I'm hoping McCaffrey falls to us in the second round. He's can do everything which is what we need out of the backfield in a shotgun offense.

He would be an interesting weapon, but might not be able to block. We do have a ton of holes to fill. It will be interesting if anyone from last years class steps forward in year 2.

Here are 5 upside guys likely not to go in 1st.


Each year, we see players that were picked outside of the first round make a tremendous impact in the NFL. Guys like Everson Griffen and Antonio Brown are great examples of high-upside talents that weren't quite finished products when they were drafted. Over a brief period of development, they emerged as stars at their respective positions. Which current senior prospect has the most upside? I polled five different NFL executives. Here are their answers.
Executive 1: LSU WR Travin Dural
"I think both wideouts at LSU have tremendous upside. I'd lean toward Dural over (Malachi) Dupre."

Executive 2: UConn safety Obi Melifonwu
"The UConn safety is really intriguing. He's freaky athletic and he's going to put up big-time testing numbers. He'll run low 4.4s (in the 40-yard dash) and jump over 40 inches. He can play in the slot as well. Huge upside."

Executive 3: Baylor QB Seth Russell
"Russell isn't polished but he's a great athlete and he has arm talent. He's got some really good tape. He could end up being a really solid starting quarterback at the next level."

Executive 4: Texas A&M DE Daeshon Hall
"Myles Garrett gets all of the attention but Daeshon Hall has a ton of upside. He's got the ideal frame and he's explosive. He has a chance to be a really good pass rusher at the next level."

Executive 5: Virginia Tech TE Bucky Hodges
"Hodges has tremendous upside. He's a former QB and he's still learning how to play the position. He has impressive size, athletic ability, speed and hands. He can be as good as he wants."

Summary: That's one vote apiece for Dural, Hall, Hodges, Melifonwu and Russell.

Conclusion: These are some very interesting players. I'm excited to study Melifonwu. I didn't know much about him before this executive mentioned him. Hall is well-liked by the scouting community, while Russell elicits a wide range of opinions. Some evaluators love him, while others are lukewarm and view him as a backup at the next level. Dural's production is limited because of poor quarterback play, but he has a lot of tools to be excited about. Hodges could end up being a value pick because of the depth at the tight end position in the upcoming draft.

SOURCE
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000736591/article/ask-5-which-nfl-draft-prospect-has-the-most-upside

khans2k5 wrote:It's hard to get excited about the draft with no first round pick and there's always a bunch of picks that change plans and leave guys on the board to take in the 2nd round. We have needs virtually everywhere and frankly can't afford to trade up because we need depth badly. It's not what we need badly, but I'm hoping McCaffrey falls to us in the second round. He's can do everything which is what we need out of the backfield in a shotgun offense.

I don't see this team actually having that many holes outside of the oline. If they can get quality over quantity in the draft at an area of need like the oline they should consider it.

monsterpile wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:It's hard to get excited about the draft with no first round pick and there's always a bunch of picks that change plans and leave guys on the board to take in the 2nd round. We have needs virtually everywhere and frankly can't afford to trade up because we need depth badly. It's not what we need badly, but I'm hoping McCaffrey falls to us in the second round. He's can do everything which is what we need out of the backfield in a shotgun offense.

I don't see this team actually having that many holes outside of the oline. If they can get quality over quantity in the draft at an area of need like the oline they should consider it.

RB if AP is gone, OL, LB if Greenway retires, CB if either Captain or Newman aren't back, DL if Robison and Floyd aren't back. That's a lot of holes that can open up very easily.

khans2k5 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:It's hard to get excited about the draft with no first round pick and there's always a bunch of picks that change plans and leave guys on the board to take in the 2nd round. We have needs virtually everywhere and frankly can't afford to trade up because we need depth badly. It's not what we need badly, but I'm hoping McCaffrey falls to us in the second round. He's can do everything which is what we need out of the backfield in a shotgun offense.

I don't see this team actually having that many holes outside of the oline. If they can get quality over quantity in the draft at an area of need like the oline they should consider it.

RB if AP is gone, OL, LB if Greenway retires, CB if either Captain or Newman aren't back, DL if Robison and Floyd aren't back. That's a lot of holes that can open up very easily.

Ok I get what you are saying. If half those guys are back or most of them there are not as many holes. A couple of those spots are probably easier filled with a FA if needed anyway. The real problem is the oline (unless they lose both Captain and Newman and don't replace them in FA) and if they can patch that up enough the other stuff I'm not as worried about espcially on defense. The draft will be here before we know it I'll be interested to see how they approach things. Spielman likes to move around in the draft and he could move up for quality with trading up one pick and move back a couple times for quantity. Those 5 picks in rounds 2-4 could net some good players.

AP is still going to expect to be paid as if he were the best RB in the world, he's not, and the team can not afford to pay him like one while also fixing the line so that he could perform like an average RB.

Tackles in the draft.

http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/01/senior-bowl-tackles-catch-vikings-eye/

North Tackles

Zach Banner (USC)

At 6-foot-9, 360-pounds, Banner will be hard to miss if you're watching the Senior Bowl on TV. He comes with pedigree as former Oakland Raider lineman Lincoln Kennedy is his father. The upside to Banner, according to Dane Brugler, is his ability to move fluidly at his incredible size and his pure strength is tough to match. However, his height can be an issue in pass protection because flexible edge rushers can dip their shoulder and escape his grasp.

The Vikings have taken swings at freakishly athletic tackles and failed. That doesn't mean Banner will bust, but it could be a little on the risky side for the Vikings to take another big swing.

CBS Sports draft projection: 2-3 round

Adam Bisnowaty (Pittsburgh)

One of the most athletic and aggressive tackles in the draft, the 6-foot-6, 300-pound tackle is on the lighter side, but makes up for that shortcoming with upper body strength. The biggest question is whether he will be able to handle the NFL's powerful bull rushers. He could end up at guard in the NFL.

CBS Sports draft projection: 2-3 round

Julie'n Davenport (Bucknell)

Davenport may be a sleeper because he did not play at a BCS school. He is known as a polarizing prospect as some reports rave about his NFL-caliber size (6-foot-6, 315-pounds) while others see him as a long shot because of shortcomings in technique.

CBS Sports draft projection: 4th round

Taylor Moton (Western Michigan)

At 6-foot-5, 325-pounds, Moton can play either guard or tackle. You won't be surprised to hear that former WMU coach and current Minnesota Gophers head coach called him "elite" and Pro Football Focus graders agreed. As the anchor of the line PFF ranked the nation's fifth best, Moton posted the sixth best tackle in college football.

CBS Sports draft projection: 2-3

South Tackles

Antonio Garcia (Troy)

Considered to be one of the best pass blocking tackles in the draft, Garcia needs to gain some size and strength to run block in the NFL. He is 6-foot-6, 300-pounds and has been gaining more attention, especially after playing well in Troy's bowl game.

CBS Sports draft projection: 2-3 round

Conor McDermott (UCLA)

A former tight end and basketball player, the 6-foot-8, 310-pound Bruin is light on his feet and has good balance and agility. Some have suggested he will not be able to stay at left tackle because of shortcomings in quickness and strength. Because he is a converted skill player, McDermott is still learning the fundamentals of the position.

CBS Sports draft projection: 3rd round

Justin Senior (Mississippi State)

The 2016 winner of the Kent Hull Trophy for the state's most outstanding offensive linemen, Senior is an intelligent tackle with quick feet. At only 295 pounds, there are concerns that he does not have the size to be an exceptional NFL run blocker.

CBS Sports draft projection: 4-5 round

Now that Bridgewater is likely out for next year I think we should look at taking a QB in the draft with one of our mid-round picks. We got extremely lucky with Sam's health this year and we don't know how Teddy will come back.