Top 30 visit

[dead_poet]

Two top receivers, Honey Badger among Vikings' visits at Top 30 event

Receivers Keenan Allen and DeAndre Hopkins were among the college prospects in the Twin Cities on Tuesday for the Minnesota Vikings' annual Top 30 event at Winter Park.

Former LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu reportedly also attended the event, on which the Vikings spend most of their allotted visits to the team's headquarters before the NFL Draft each year.

Allen, a potential first-round pick who had 205 catches for 2,570 yards and 17 touchdowns over three seasons at California, tweeted on Tuesday morning he was flying to Minnesota.

According to an NFL source, so was Hopkins, another potential late first-round pick who had 206 catches for 3,020 yards and 27 touchdowns in three seasons at Clemson.

Mathieu, who sat out last season and spent time in drug rehab after being kicked off LSU's team, is projected as a mid-round draft pick as a defensive back.

Fox Sports reported Mathieu was at the Top 30 event -- which doesn't necessarily say anything about the Vikings' level of interest.

For instance, Matt Kalil was at the event last year. Fellow first-round pick Harrison Smith wasn't and had limited contact with Vikings officials after the Senior Bowl in January.

Private workouts on campus tend to be stronger indicators. The past two years, for instance, the Vikings used late-round draft picks on guard Brandon Fusco and place-kicker Blair Walsh after quietly working them out on campus at Slippery Rock and Georgia, respectively.

The Vikings have 11 picks in this year's draft. That includes two in the first round, Nos. 23 and 25 overall.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Two_ ... vent040213

[Raptorman]

Allen will be gone by the time the Vikings first pick in round one.

[PacificNorseWest]

I think there is a very good chance that Keenan will be available at 23 and 25, but something about him just doesn't seem right. I'd prefer the Vikes to stay away.

[Pepper2Moss]

Every report I've heard of Allen is that he's the most polished route runner of the upcoming class of receivers. I'm still sold on him.

[Mothman]

Agreed. I think the fact that he is injured might be what "doesn't seem right" . He is a huge risk when you consider his skill is not much or any higher than all the rd 2 WR. There are no elite WRs in this draft. We need a reliable route runner like Hopkins/Patton/Woods/Dobson

He doesn't have an injury that should pose any long term problems so at this point, I doubt teams are considering him a huge risk, although I imagine quite a few of them are eager to see how he performs at his scheduled workout next week. Allen had a good college career and has shown the size and skills to project as a good pro. If you want a reliable route runner, he's considered one of the most reliable in this draft.

[losperros]

He doesn't have an injury that should pose any long term problems so at this point, I doubt teams are considering him a huge risk, although I imagine quite a few of them are eager to see how he performs at his scheduled workout next week. Allen had a good college career and has shown the size and skills to project as a good pro. If you want a reliable route runner, he's considered one of the most reliable in this draft.

Allen also has problems getting separation, especially against good college D secondaries. Look what Ohio State, UCLA, and Stanford did him. Also, what happened to the Vikings wanting a WR that can run and get deep? That's not Allen, not by a long shot.

Keenan Allen reminds me of Michael Jenkins in that Jenkins had size, was supposed to be a sure deal pro prospect, and was inundated with hype before the draft. The only problem was had some consistency issues and couldn't get separation. The Atlanta Falcons drafted Jenkins in R1 during the 2004 draft. How did that turn out? I don't want the Vikings making the same mistake. Not that Jenkins is horrible but he's not a top shelf WR. I predict Allen won't be either.

[Texas Vike]

Allen also has problems getting separation, especially against good college D secondaries. Look what Ohio State, UCLA, and Stanford did him. Also, what happened to the Vikings wanting a WR that can run and get deep? That's not Allen, not by a long shot.

Keenan Allen reminds me of Michael Jenkins in that Jenkins had size, was supposed to be a sure deal pro prospect, and was inundated with hype before the draft. The only problem was had some consistency issues and couldn't get separation. The Atlanta Falcons drafted Jenkins in R1 during the 2004 draft. How did that turn out? I don't want the Vikings making the same mistake. Not that Jenkins is horrible but he's not a top shelf WR. I predict Allen won't be either.

That's the problem this year, there's a lot of talent worth taking in rounds 2 through 5, but very little in the elite range, worthy of a first round pick. I'd rather address Defensive holes, or even G, in the first and pick up 2 or 3 WRs in rounds 2-6 or so. I'd like to pick several and just see who turns out.

[Mothman]

Allen also has problems getting separation, especially against good college D secondaries. Look what Ohio State, UCLA, and Stanford did him. Also, what happened to the Vikings wanting a WR that can run and get deep? That's not Allen, not by a long shot.

Maybe they won't target him or maybe they'll look for that deep threat a little later. I agree that if a deep threat is what they want most, Allen's not their guy. I'm just not sure if that's how they're looking at things at this point.

Keenan Allen reminds me of Michael Jenkins in that Jenkins had size, was supposed to be a sure deal pro prospect, and was inundated with hype before the draft. The only problem was had some consistency issues and couldn't get separation. The Atlanta Falcons drafted Jenkins in R1 during the 2004 draft. How did that turn out? I don't want the Vikings making the same mistake. Not that Jenkins is horrible but he's not a top shelf WR. I predict Allen won't be either.

I'm not sure if any receiver in this draft will be a top shelf NFL receiver. If I remember correctly, you said something the other day about this being a draft of second and third receivers (in terms of the depth chart) and that's how I'm seeing it too. To me, Allen looks like the kind of player who could provide an excellent second option that can run pretty much every route in the playbook.

I hope the Vikes are taking a good look at Aaron Dobson from Marshall, especially if they're thinking about drafting defense in R1 instead of a WR. I think he has the combination of size, speed and skill to become something special at the next level.

[losperros]

I'm not sure if any receiver in this draft will be a top shelf NFL receiver. If I remember correctly, you said something the other day about this being a draft of second and third receivers (in terms of the depth chart) and that's how I'm seeing it too. To me, Allen looks like the kind of player who could provide an excellent second option that can run pretty much every route in the playbook.

Yes, Allen can run all kinds of routes and not get open on any of them. Separation is a factor. The truth is, what do I know? What does anyone really know about whether these kids can make it as pros? But from what I've seen from Allen playing full games, I'm telling you that I see an overrated prospect in him.

Regarding what I said about there not being a #1 WR in the draft, I still believe that. One could make a valid argument that none of the WRs should be R1 picks (and I'm honestly starting to lean that way, given some of the other players and positions that are out there). Even a guy like Cordarrelle Patterson is going to need work after being drafted. His upside is strong because of his learning curve and physical skills but not because he would have immediate impact as a #1 guy. He may never be that #1 guy. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't want the Vikings to pick him or other WRs over someone like Allen.

I hope the Vikes are taking a good look at Aaron Dobson from Marshall, especially if they're thinking about drafting defense in R1 instead of a WR. I think he has the combination of size, speed and skill to become something special at the next level.

You bet, Jim. I like Dobson a lot. Two things. First, he has the size and long-stride speed to catch downfield passes, which I think might be something the Vikings are looking for. Second, Dobson can be acquired after R1.

That said, I have no problem at all with how the Vikings draft in R1. If they take a WR, as long as it isn't Keenan Allen, then I'm fine with that. But if they draft for defense or even the OL in R1, that's cool with me as well. There are a lot of needs on the team and I'm in no way convinced the Vikings are drafting a WR in R1. OTOH, I am convinced that they will draft a good WR at some point.

[Mothman]

, Allen can run all kinds of routes and not get open on any of them. Separation is a factor.

LOL! It is a factor but from what I've seen (which is admittedly not much) he does a good job of getting separation.

The truth is, what do I know? What does anyone really know about whether these kids can make it as pros?

That really says it all, Craig. All we can do is go by what we've seen and what we read, hear, etc. and none of us (or the draft gurus) really know who will make it big at the next level. You've seen more of Allen than me and clearly aren't that impressed with him so despite all the good stuff I've read about him, that gives me pause (not that I get a say in who the Vikes select—they still won't let me in their "war room"!).

You bet, Jim. I like Dobson a lot. Two things. First, he has the size and long-stride speed to catch downfield passes, which I think might be something the Vikings are looking for. Second, Dobson can be acquired after R1.

That said, I have no problem at all with how the Vikings draft in R1. If they take a WR, as long as it isn't Keenan Allen, then I'm fine with that. But if they draft for defense or even the OL in R1, that's cool with me as well. There are a lot of needs on the team and I'm in no way convinced the Vikings are drafting a WR in R1. OTOH, I am convinced that they will draft a good WR at some point.

You realize you just guaranteed that they'll draft Allen in R1, don't you?

As long as they don't do something crazy (like a make HUGE reach or foolish trade) in the first round, I'll probably have no problem with how they handle R1 either. As we were just saying, nobody really knows who will turn out to be a good pick. The players deserve a chance to prove themselves so when it comes to the draft, I try to keep an open mind.

[losperros]

That really says it all, Craig. All we can do is go by what we've seen and what we read, hear, etc. and none of us (or the draft gurus) really know who will make it big at the next level. You've seen more of Allen than me and clearly aren't that impressed with him so despite all the good stuff I've read about him, that gives me pause (not that I get a say in who the Vikes select—they still won't let me in their "war room"!).

Maybe if you weren't carrying a case of beer, they might have. Of course, the fact that the case was empty by the time you reached the war room might have had something to do with it too, Jim.

As long as they don't do something crazy (like a make HUGE reach or foolish trade) in the first round, I'll probably have no problem with how they handle R1 either. As we were just saying, nobody really knows who will turn out to be a good pick. The players deserve a chance to prove themselves so when it comes to the draft, I try to keep an open mind.

I don't think the Vikings will reach. Quite honestly, the only way they might do a bit of a reach is if they're convinced they need a player and he won't be around if they don't pick him at that moment. But as it is, I think the Vikings have so many needs that BPA is going to be important to them throughout the draft. As I said before, I'm fine with the Vikings taking a WR in R2, if necessary. In some ways I prefer they look to defense in R1.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Every report I've heard of Allen is that he's the most polished route runner of the upcoming class of receivers. I'm still sold on him.

And Ive heard Patterson is a better route runner with better hands, and he isnt hurt.