Draft in April

[Eli]

If he falls to us I wouldn't mind seeing the Vikes getting Tavon Austin. He is small, but looks everything like a Percy Harvin without all the crap that came with him.

I worry a little about Austin's size, but it may not be a big deal. There are small NFL players who know how to avoid injury at that size. Harvin's problem was that he was 185 and tried to play like he was 225.

[dead_poet]

Jarvis Jones - LB - Player

NFL.com's Gil Brandt "(isn't) sure" Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones is a first-round talent.

The legendary player evaluator has dropped Jones out of the first round in his latest mock draft. Jones underwhelmed all around at his Pro Day, running a 4.92 in the 40-yard dash while posting just 20 bench reps and a 9-foot-3 broad jump. Questions about Jones' spinal condition have also muddled his stock. It only takes one team to fall in love, but Jones' first-round status is looking shaky.
Source: Gil Brandt on Twitter

[dead_poet]

Kyle Long - G - Ducks

Oregon OL Kyle Long has a visit scheduled with the Rams.

Long is the younger brother of Rams defensive end Chris. The team could use some young talent on their offensive line, and Long can likely play left tackle or either guard spot. Due to his natural aggression and movement skills, we expect him to be selected in the second-round.
Source: Jim Thomas on Twitter

[MrPurplenGold]

Jarvis Jones - LB - Player

NFL.com's Gil Brandt "(isn't) sure" Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones is a first-round talent.

The legendary player evaluator has dropped Jones out of the first round in his latest mock draft. Jones underwhelmed all around at his Pro Day, running a 4.92 in the 40-yard dash while posting just 20 bench reps and a 9-foot-3 broad jump. Questions about Jones' spinal condition have also muddled his stock. It only takes one team to fall in love, but Jones' first-round status is looking shaky.
Source: Gil Brandt on Twitter

It's hard for me to imagine he falls out of the first round. I can see he goes a lot later than people expect, like towards the end of the first round, but I just can't see him falling out of the first round. Game tape trumps pro days and combines every day of the week. Pro days and combines are the reason for draft busts like Aaron Maybin, Heyward-Bey and the infamous Troy Williamson

[big deli Vike]

It's hard for me to imagine he falls out of the first round. I can see he goes a lot later than people expect, like towards the end of the first round, but I just can't see him falling out of the first round. Game tape trumps pro days and combines every day of the week. Pro days and combines are the reason for draft busts like Aaron Maybin, Heyward-Bey and the infamous Troy Williamson

100% agree. If you watch them play football and not run around in choreographed drills, you know the football players. That being said, if jones falls to us, it'd be hard to pass, but then again, why would he have fallen to us? hopefully his spine condition isnt too serious

[dead_poet]

Kiper's latest two-round mock.

23./25 Minnesota Vikings
Kiper Round 1: Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson
Kiper Round 1: LSU linebacker Kevin Minter
Kiper Round 2: Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short
Seifert comment: Minter would be a Week 1 starter in this scenario, while Patterson would get plenty of early opportunities to develop into a starting outside receiver. Short would help the Vikings' need to start replenishing a defensive line that includes three starters over 30 years old.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... o-rounds-2

[big deli Vike]

Kiper's latest two-round mock.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... o-rounds-2

i'd be 100% ok with that. but Kiper's drafts hardly come true.

[Eli]

i'd be 100% ok with that. but Kiper's drafts hardly come true.

Everybody is a draft expert these days. Kiper was the one who started the trend of journalists on TV posing as draft experts and ESPN perpetuates the foolishness.

[Mothman]

Kiper's latest two-round mock.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... o-rounds-2

That seems a little high for Minter but opinions on that stuff vary. I'd love it if they drafted short in R2. I think he's an impressive DT.

Patterson's a bit raw but undeniably talented so if he's available at #23, I'd be fine with the Vikings selecting him.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Kiper's latest two-round mock.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... o-rounds-2

This situation would be the best possible outcome for Minnesota IMO. Well, maybe beside us drafting Tavon Austin and Cordarrelle Patterson.

[saint33]

That seems a little high for Minter but opinions on that stuff vary. I'd love it if they drafted short in R2. I think he's an impressive DT.

Patterson's a bit raw but undeniably talented so if he's available at #23, I'd be fine with the Vikings selecting him.

I absolutely love the Short pick in the second round, I think he would be an ideal heir to Kevin Williams' spot and has enough size that he could rotate in with Guion and Evans at the 1-tech spot in his first year.

[dead_poet]

Jarvis Jones - LB - Player

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport pegs Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones as a mid first-round pick after speaking with five scouts.

Jones had a thoroughly mediocre Pro Day, but it apparently didn't come as a surprise to the scouting community. Per Rapoport, the consensus remains that Jones is a playmaker despite his unimpressive measurables. He's reportedly drawing comparisons to Terrell Suggs, who had a rough Pro Day before falling the Ravens at No. 10 overall in 2003. Based purely on college production, Jones has a first-round résumé.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

[dead_poet]

Jamar Taylor - DB - Player

According to TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline, Boise State's Jamar Taylor is the "hottest name" among draft-eligible cornerbacks.

Taylor has official visits lined up with each team selecting 27-32 and is gaining steam as a late-first round pick. At nearly 5-foot-11, 192 pounds with 4.39 speed, Taylor is physical and athletic, adding to Boise State's reputation for producing size/speed players. He is a favorite of Rotoworld prospects guru Josh Norris, who ranks Taylor as the No. 1 senior corner in the draft.
Source: TFY Draft Insider

[Eli]

According to TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline, Boise State's Jamar Taylor is the "hottest name" among draft-eligible cornerbacks.

Do conversations that begin with "Who is this guy? I've never heard of him before. He's fast, but has he done anything on the field?" make someone a "hot" name?

[dead_poet]

Nothing shocking here in regards to the Vikes. But predicting trades seems...silly. Patterson lasts until #22. Jarvis Jones goes #24 (which seems low from other mocks). Ogletree not drafted in R1.

---
April 9 Mock... With Trades

23. Minnesota Vikings -- WR Keenan Allen, Cal

Allen will work through his own pro day this week, and teams are likely anticipating those results. He shows nice burst in and out of his routes while competing at the catch point. However, I wouldn't be shocked to see Allen last until the second-round.

25. Minnesota Vikings (from Seahawks) -- LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

The Vikings don’t shy away from Notre Dame prospects, but they must decide if Te’o is more than a two down linebacker, and if not, where does his value rest? He is a solid run defender and would be a good, not great, option in the middle.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/4 ... ith-trades