Draft in April

[dead_poet]

Jonathan Cooper G
North Carolina G/C Jonathan Cooper's weight slipped down to 285 during his senior season.

Cooper blamed the in-season weight loss on UNC running "the spread, no-huddle," and practicing at a faster pace. He often looks light in the pants on tape, but has re-bulked up to 312. Draft insider Tony Pauline reported Thursday that some NFL teams are grading Cooper ahead of top-rated guard Chance Warmack.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Feb 22 - 7:07 AM

[dead_poet]

Walter Stewart - LB - Bearcats

National Football Post's Russ Lande says Cincinnati DE/OLB Walter Stewart could go in the top 40.

"Do not be surprised if Stewart’s back passes some physicals if he ends up being a top 40 selection in the Draft," Lande wrote. Stewart has been getting publicity since getting a second opinion that has allowed him to play football. Most recently, Mike Mayock said Stewart could be a top 10 pick if his medicals check out.
Source: National Football Post

[dead_poet]

Chance Warmack - G - Player

Alabama OG Chance Warmack performed 35 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at the Combine.

He weighed in at 6-foot-2, 317 earlier in the week, and the impressiveness of Warmack's lofty bench-press total is enhanced by his vine-like, 34 3/4-inch arms. Warmack is attempting to stave off North Carolina's Jonathan Cooper as the 2013 draft's top-rated guard. Cooper did 35 reps, too, but has shorter arms.

[Eli]

Oh, man. I laughed out loud at this. In NFL.com's draft prospect analysis they always toss out an NFL player for comparison, to give you an idea of who a player might resemble. (e.g. D.J. Fluker -> Phil Loadholt).

OT Tanner Hawkinson, Kansas
NFL COMPARISON: Troy Kropog


Kropog has been in the league for four years, but has he played a down yet? How do you pull someone like that out of thin air and expect anyone to know who you're talking about?

[MrPurplenGold]

I think one player to look at in the 2nd round if the Vikings select a receiver in the first round is zaviar gooden. He has had an outstanding workout at the combine. He's too small to be an MLB, but I think he can easily become a solid WLB. Fast, athletic and strong at the point of attack. His weakness seems to be he's an over aggressive player.

[PurpleMustReign]

Chance Warmack - G - Player

What do they mean by "Player"?

[dead_poet]

What do they mean by "Player"?

Free agent (essentially) or draft prospect. That's where the team name would go.

[dead_poet]

Kenny Vaccaro - DB - Player

Texas FS Kenny Vaccaro ran forty times of 4.59 and 4.63 at the NFL Scouting Combine.

They're not sensational times at first glance, but Vaccaro weighs 214 pounds and is very light on his feet even if his straight-line speed isn't sensational. In last year's West Virginia-Texas game, Vaccaro gave Tavon Austin all kinds of problems in the slot; Austin was only able to get open against Texas' other DBs. Vaccaro remains a strong candidate to be drafted in the top 25.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Kenny Vaccaro - DB - Player

Texas FS Kenny Vaccaro ran forty times of 4.59 and 4.63 at the NFL Scouting Combine.

They're not sensational times at first glance, but Vaccaro weighs 214 pounds and is very light on his feet even if his straight-line speed isn't sensational. In last year's West Virginia-Texas game, Vaccaro gave Tavon Austin all kinds of problems in the slot; Austin was only able to get open against Texas' other DBs. Vaccaro remains a strong candidate to be drafted in the top 25.

If Vaccaro somehow fell to 23 (he won't) I hope Minnesota would snatch him. Hell, I hope Minnesota would consider Matt Elam if he were available, but it sounds like he will be gone too.

[dead_poet]

Norris' latest mock post-combine: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/4 ... mock-draft

23. Minnesota Vikings -- LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State

With the lack of an inside and weakside linebacker, Brown could immediately slide into either role and make an impact. Some will get caught up in his measurements, but Brown is a physical player with excellent speed. There have been reports of a shoulder injury, but Brown did not miss a game in the last two seasons.

[Eli]

Brown would be a reach at #23.

[Howlers]

Brown would be a reach at #23.

I agree that he'd probably be a bit of a reach but we need someone. If he's somehow available in the 2nd, I'd say grab him, or move up a bit in the 2nd.

[VikingLord]

Whoever the Vikes take at LB, the guy has to be able to cover. I don't want a guy who is a big hitter, a "leader" per se, or a guy who is a great run defender if he can't cover. The Vikes play in a division with 3 very good QBs and offenses designed around the pass. Heck, the Packers basically didn't even care about being able to run this past season, nor did the Lions. The Bears did a decent job of it, but even that offense has heavily shifted to the pass.

So the Vikes have to answer, and the answer is going to be finding a MLB for whom coverage is a strength. And honestly, the guy in this draft who fits that bill is Ogletree. I am terrified by the prospect of the Vikes using #23 on him because I'm not sure he's got it together, nor will he get it together, but there is no doubt that Ogletree is heads-and-tails better in coverage than any of the other MLB prospects being bandied around at #23. If the pick there is purely based on talent and potential, Ogletree is very likely to be a Viking by this time next year.

[glg]

The answer is getting DB's that can do their job. I would take better DB's that can play man coverage soundly and a decent LB over a great LB and the DB's we have (minus HS, love that guy).

You might take that, but that's not what the Vikings are looking for.

[Demi]

No he's not part of the coaching staff. But they have a system in place, and certain types of players they use in that system...