Tavon Austin is a must for Minn...

[mondry]

The problem with forcing WR at our pick is there are no legit #1 WR's imo. That means #2 type guys like Austin, Patterson, and Allen are already over valued in the first round and are already a reach at their projected draft timing which is in the first round. For example, if AJ green and Julio Jones were in this draft, those guys would instantly be 2nd rounders at best. We see this more evidently in QB's but it also happens in WR's. However, there are a few WR's beyond Austin, Patterson, and Allen who aren't that much worse prospect wise with a much more "fair" draft positioning. I don't care if we can get the 3rd or 4th best WR with our pick because I don't think the 3rd or 4th best WR's are worth a first round pick. But, the 5th and 6th best receivers, who are not far behind the 3rd and 4th, is fair value as a second rounder. As Jim said it's all about perspective anyway. The 7th best prospect WR might end up being THE BEST NFL WR in the long term!

For another example, I'll use a rating system out of 100 and this is how I rate the players as overall prospects. Megatron would grade out at say 97, AJ Green 93, Julio jones 91, Austin 85, Patterson 82, Allen 81. Beyond them though, Hopkins, Woods, and a couple other Wr's would all probably grade out between 78-80 but do not command 1st round picks. I can't predict the future but you have to imagine Austin and Patterson will be gone by our picks, so now do you think Allen is worth a first rounder, who's currently banged up with knee and hamstring problems, who didn't run at the combine or his pro day? Is that 81 rating worth a first round pick compared to an 80 rating in the 2nd round? How about a 77-78 rated player in the 3rd? Jarius Wright was taken in the 4th round and while he was playing, he made a big impact but he was one of the guys people are saying now isn't worth a look! His rating would probably have been around 75. Keep in mind these ratings are based on their college careers and guesses on how they will translate into the pro game.

For a first round pick, a prospect score needs to be at least 85 in my opinion, that means for me, the only Wr I'd feel comfortable taking with one of our picks is Austin, beyond that, I'd much rather have a LB, CB, DT, S, or G that rates out at 85+ and if the BPA's happen to be DE, RB, or QB then trading down is the best option.

All we have to do is look back at last year. Michael Floyd, 13th over all, 562 yards, 2 TD's, 16 games played, about 35 yards per game. Jarius Wright, 118th overall, 310 yards, 2 TD's, played in 7 games, about 44 yards per game. As you can see, Wright out performed Floyd based on averages, but now we have to look at the opportunity cost. Instead of Harrison Smith we just have Stephen Hill cause he was the "best WR available" at 252 yards receiving, 3 TD's, and 11 games played, about 22 yards per game. No matter how much anyone -thinks- WR is a "need" you simply don't FORCE the pick. The Vikings are a much better team now by getting the best players available with their picks in Harrison smith and Jarius Wright, compared to overpaying on an over hyped WR just because it might be the biggest "need" and the herd mentality is "WR's are good!"

[Mothman]

I don't care about 5 people. I care about the Vikings and who they have as their top WRs. And realistically, we should be able to get at least their #3 guy as is--and probably their #2 with a little wheeling and dealing. I would like to do that.

Understood... although the 5 people I was talking about could easily be in the Vikings scouting department. I don't see much unity when it comes to evaluating the receivers in this draft and I'm guessing there will be some heated debates about them as the Vikes are putting together their board.

Or, you never know, maybe we could get their #2 guy without moving either. Maybe they aren't sold on Austin? Most of us agree that's not the type of receiver we need; it's just hard not to want a weapon like...again. It just depends what they are thinking. Most drafts only have one or two WRs going before our pick. It's hard for me to imagine that the Vikes would pass on the #2 WR on their board if he dropped to them--unless they were in LOVE with a DT or CB that did just the same. I suppose, we'll see how it goes.

Yep... it really just depends on who is available when they pick. If either Warmack or Cooper somehow fell to them, they might even use one of their R1 picks on a guard! It wouldn't be an unreasonable choice. I think it's all but a given that they're going to draft a MLB early, especially because one or two of them could be off the board already by #23.

In the end, it's hard to say which positions they'll draft in what order but it would be very surprising if they didn't draft an MLB and a WR with their first 3 picks. One of those three pick could go to DT, DE, CB, G, S or even for another LB or WR. Heck, I wouldn't even rule out TE since there's another Notre Dame TE available. It will be a fun draft!

[Funkytown]

Only if one of those 4 are available. I don't think I'd take Woods, Williams, Patton or Hunter in round 1, maybe at #25 depending on the rest of the board, but I'd probably just double dip on defense and go WR in 2nd AND 3rd or 4th. I do think both Allen and Hopkins will be there, Austin most likely won't and Patterson is a crap shoot. I've seen him mocked anywhere from 8th to 25th.

Whether we go WR at #23, #25 or in the 2nd I'd still look at someone like Wheaton, Dobson, Hamilton, Swope, Rogers or Boyce on top of that in the 3rd or 4th.

I'm fairly confident one or two of those will be available when we pick.

If we get WR in round one, I think we'll go D round 2 and probably 3--WR could be a real possibility again with one of our 4th rounders, though. I suppose it just depends how confident the Vikings are in each area. Maybe they will go WR in round 3. I just think it's unlikely. Who knows what might happen? I just know I'm looking forward to it! A couple more weeks!

[big deli Vike]

I think sylvester Williams in Round 1 is a mistake. Not the Best DT available (Short, Jesse Williams, Jenkins). Can do defense both first round picks depending on who's available and what WR is there. also, we could get a guy like Dobson in round 2 early 3

[PacificNorseWest]

Keenan Allen ran a 4.71 and 4.75 at his pro day today....