Determining the Viking draft based on the other NFL teams

[Mothman]

While last year this time, many fans saw several areas of "immediate" need, the top two for me were OL and secondary. Vikings did too and used their first two picks on Matt Kalil and Harrison Smith. This year the chatter seems to be LB's, WR, DT, and CB as the top needs. I know there are those who disagree, but I don't see DT and CB as more "immediate" need than WR and LB. So if I'm in line with the Vikings again this year with a WR/MLB as the top targets, can we get the guys we want?

There don't appear to be any sure fire elite MLB's in this draft, so it is unlikely that a MLB will be drafted in the first 1o-15 picks as a BPA situation. I believe the only other teams that even have a MLB as one of their top priorities are the Bears (20) and possibly Packers (26), and Ravens (32).

For what it's worth, from what I understand, the Saints, Rams and Bengals are teams picking ahead of the Vikes and Bears that may also have an interest in some of the MLB candidates. The Saints are switching to a 3-4.

Ogletree is perceived as an LB with the athleticism to play outside so it's also possible that he could go to a team as an outside 'backer rather than an inside 'backer. Of course, his character concerns could also drop him like a stone. It's tough to say.

If the Vikes are targeting an MLB as so many of us suspect, it's possible they could catch a break and the Bears could draft another position entirely. It may depend on who is available but the Bears probably aren't finished addressing their o-line so if someone like jonathan Cooper fell to them, they might grab him and wait on MLB.

So my bottom line is I think the way things are positioned, at the least, we get our top two targets (WR and MLB) and possibly our 3rd target (DT) which would be awesome. All in all, I predict a very good draft for our Vikes again this year.

I hope so! It could easily play out just as you're suggesting.

Jim

[losperros]

For what it's worth, from what I understand, the Saints, Rams and Bengals are teams picking ahead of the Vikes and Bears that may also have an interest in some of the MLB candidates. The Saints are switching to a 3-4.

Ogletree is perceived as an LB with the athleticism to play outside so it's also possible that he could go to a team as an outside 'backer rather than an inside 'backer. Of course, his character concerns could also drop him like a stone. It's tough to say.

I wonder if the Saints might focus on a guy like Ogletree or even Brown if they're switching to a 3-4 D. Both are quick as inside blitzers and can play inside or outside as a LB.

I'm thinking the Vikings might consider Te'o or Minter to be a more natural fit for their 4-3 D. Don't take that to the bank, though. I could be way off because I'm not sure what the Vikings are thinking when it comes to the top MLB prospects.

[mondry]

I don't really see it working out that way, maybe if every team was forced to draft solely on their -biggest- need, otherwise I'd be amazed if only 1 WR is going to be taken in 22 picks. Most teams run 3 wide wr sets and I can't imagine those teams would look at Austin or Patterson and consider passing on them as if they had 3-4 guys better than them already.

I don't think you can touch ogeltree in the first round so I expect Teo, Austin, and Patterson to be gone by the time we pick.

[mansquatch]

I don't really see it working out that way, maybe if every team was forced to draft solely on their -biggest- need, otherwise I'd be amazed if only 1 WR is going to be taken in 22 picks. Most teams run 3 wide wr sets and I can't imagine those teams would look at Austin or Patterson and consider passing on them as if they had 3-4 guys better than them already.

I don't think you can touch ogeltree in the first round so I expect Teo, Austin, and Patterson to be gone by the time we pick.

I might be misinterpreting you, but you do not see Ogletree going in Round 1? I will be might happy if he falls into our lap.

[mondry]

I might be misinterpreting you, but you do not see Ogletree going in Round 1? I will be might happy if he falls into our lap.

I guess clarification is needed there, I wouldn't take him in the first round, someone might still take the risk on him but I hope it isn't us.

[Eli]

"Determining the Viking draft based on the other NFL teams"

Isn't that pretty much the whole premise behind any mock draft??

So my bottom line is I think the way things are positioned, at the least, we get our top two targets (WR and MLB) and possibly our 3rd target (DT) which would be awesome. All in all, I predict a very good draft for our Vikes again this year.

Not an earthshaking prediction. If the Vikings want to take a WR and a MLB in the first round, they can certainly draft both. There may not be a lot of great talent at either position, but it's enough that they likely won't have to reach much at #23 or 25.

Look at the 2010 draft - they traded down to #34 and took the sixth cornerback off the board, then pretended that they loved the guy. Whoever the Vikings pick, they'll talk them up, tell anybody who will listen how much they love the guy, how highly ranked he was on their draft board, yada, yada, yada. It's pretty much the same script every draft.

[saint33]

"Determining the Viking draft based on the other NFL teams"

Isn't that pretty much the whole premise behind any mock draft??

Not an earthshaking prediction. If the Vikings want to take a WR and a MLB in the first round, they can certainly draft both. There may not be a lot of great talent at either position, but it's enough that they likely won't have to reach much at #23 or 25.

Look at the 2010 draft - they traded down to #34 and took the sixth cornerback off the board, then pretended that they loved the guy. Whoever the Vikings pick, they'll talk them up, tell anybody who will listen how much they love the guy, how highly ranked he was on their draft board, yada, yada, yada. It's pretty much the same script every draft.

[Texas Vike]

"Determining the Viking draft based on the other NFL teams"

Isn't that pretty much the whole premise behind any mock draft??

Not an earthshaking prediction. If the Vikings want to take a WR and a MLB in the first round, they can certainly draft both. There may not be a lot of great talent at either position, but it's enough that they likely won't have to reach much at #23 or 25.

Look at the 2010 draft - they traded down to #34 and took the sixth cornerback off the board, then pretended that they loved the guy. Whoever the Vikings pick, they'll talk them up, tell anybody who will listen how much they love the guy, how highly ranked he was on their draft board, yada, yada, yada. It's pretty much the same script every draft.

Curmudgeon.


Did you really feel this way after the last draft? How about after the season when so many of our rookies made worthwhile contributions?

[Eli]

"The other target is going to be WR. While the talk is, this class is somewhat "deep", no one is considered an "elite" talent, so again I think we can rule out the top 10-15 teams from drafting a WR"

I've seen a number of mock drafts with either Cordarrelle Patterson or Tavon Austin going in the top 15. Todd McShay right now predicts Austin going to Tampa Bay at #13. Realistically, though, I doubt that there will be more that two WRs off the board by the time the Vikings pick at #23. There's just too much top talent on the offensive and defensive lines, DB and 3-4 OLB for teams to pass and pick a crap shoot at WR.

[Laserman]

Eli,

I sure hope you are right. The Vikings can't pass on a first round WR this year. We absolutely have to draft a WR in the first round this year. After jennings, we stink at WR compared to most of the NFl. We need a good WR this time around. If we go LB and another position in the first round I will have to conclude we don't want to win

[mansquatch]

I wouldn't be so hasty to judge. They have 3 starting WR on the roster rigth now in JS, JW, and GJ. If there is better value at their picks in the 1st round at other positions it would make sense to go that route. CB, LB, DL, OG are all areas where 1st round talent would be quite helpful. They certainly need more WR talent, but I'd say the LB cupboard is more bare than WR at this point.

I also wonder if we'll see them trade down to get an additional 2nd rounder. Day one is going to be interesting, that is for sure.

[Eli]

The run on WRs is likely to take place in the early to mid 2nd round. Which could be a little worrisome. If the Vikings do pass on a WR in the 1st, then there's a run, I could see them sacrificing some later draft picks to move up in the 2nd.

[headless_norseman]

Jennings is a better wide receiver than Harvin probably will ever be, but harvin is a better playmaker than Jennings. By yes we still need atleast 2 receivers from this draft that can fight over a starting job. Jennings will play a huge role in Wrights/simpsons success as well as whatever rookies we draft.

I believe Jennings will have a better impact to this team and the players on it than Percy ever could have

Good post. I saw a recent mock draft where they had the Vikes taking Tavon Austin AND Deandre Hopkins. Very wrong, of course. But also very intriguing.