Vikings by position

[Mothman]

Tom Pelissero is going to break down the Vikings roster by position leading up to the draft. He started with the DBs:

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Viki ... 041713?t=2

There's a lot of uncertainty there and looking toward the future, there's uncertainty everywhere on the defense. Some key players are aging, soon to be free agents, or both. It's a little scary.

[King James]

My concern is the DL. We have yet to find a proper nose tackle and I dont think we will draft DT in the first round. Soon Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, and Brian Robinson will be free agents. We can't compete by "getting younger" at every position. We already gashed ourselves letting go of Winfield. His release makes CB a need.

[Mothman]

My concern is the DL. We have yet to find a proper nose tackle and I dont think we will draft DT in the first round.

I think they might. I have a growing suspicion that this draft isn't going to go down as many of us have been thinking. I still expect them to select a MLB in the first round but after that, I think the odds of them drafting a DT are as high as them drafting a WR and I could easily see them going MLB, DT and CB in the first two rounds and targeting WRs like Dobson, Swope, Rogers, Goodwin, Wheaton, Hamilton, etc. after that.

This is a team that has always placed some priority on the d-line and the way Kevin Williams' contract was re-worked strikes me as a potential indication that the Vikes are thinking very hard about the DT position in this DT-rich draft.

Soon Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, and Brian Robinson will be free agents. We can't compete by "getting younger" at every position. We already gashed ourselves letting go of Winfield. His release makes CB a need.

It was a need anyway and I don't think they gashed themselves. Winfield wasn't going to be with them much longer anyway and they intended him to take on a reduced role.

I would think they'd try to keep at least a player or two on that DL from ever hitting free agency by extending their contract with a new deal.

[dead_poet]

Hmmmm...

Felder (6-1, 200) may be one of the surprises in camp, having impressed on the practice squad as an undrafted rookie out of Nicholls State. He has excellent size for the position and can go inside and out.

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More...

A first-team All-Southland Conference selection each of the past two seasons, he was a three-year starter for the Colonels at cornerback. Posted 152 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 1 sack, 12 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 21 PBU, 4 FF, 2 FR, 3 blocked kicks and one blocked kick returned 70 yards for a touchdown. He has also returned punts. He will be the third DB from Nicholls State to try and make it in the past five years, joining Kareem Moore (ex-Washington Redskins) and Lardarius Webb (Baltimore Ravens). It’s a big jump in the level of competition to the NFL, but Felder was a highly productive, instinctive, ball-hawking cornerback with a knack for making plays on the ball in college. He appears to have a natural feel for the game, is not afraid to tackle and should also contribute on special teams. He may lack great size and speed, but shows all the skills you look for in an effective Cover-2 defender. He may also get a look inside at free safety. He is a well-grounded, mature, hard-working focused kid who received his degree in December. It will be interesting to see if DB coach Joe Woods can help Felder make the transition. “We think (Felder) has all of the tools to succeed at the next level,” said ex-Viking Corey Chavous of DraftNasty.com.

Measurables: 5-foot-10-5/8, 195…4.45-4.52 40-yard dash…34½-inch vertical jump…8-foot-6 broad jump…4.25 20-yard shuttle…8.24 three-cone.

Some film on Felder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53KaVzRbG5c

Interview and tidbits: http://hsmississippi.scout.com/a.z?s=39 ... 6061&fhn=1
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1258 ... ining-camp

Interesting that his height ranges from 5'9 to 6'1 from what I found.

He's #31. Might be a guy to at least pay attention to in the preseason if he gets some reps.

I know I'm reaching but corner is a huge problem, made even more acute with Winfield's departure and the QBs/WRs in our division.

[dead_poet]

Wow, the Vikings haven't taken a corner in the first round since 1994? Interesting.

[mansquatch]

I wouldn't rule out their trading down one of their 1st rounders to get more 2nd/3rd round picks.

They have legit needs at all 3 levels of the defense. I'd argue that MLB is probablyt the biggest, but secondary depth is, as Frasier put it, an ongoing issue. This draft is an opportune time to address DL age. That alone probably means we'll see a defensive focus on day 1.

The only place on offense we can really expect them to invest picks early is WR, barring a suprise. They want continuity at OL, aside from the swing tackle we've heard mentioned, I suspect this will be later round developmental picks. RB is obviously set. We could see a project at QB, but barring BPA, I suspect that will be a mid to late round choice. WR is the obious area for a day 1 selection, but I think the needs on D, plus the GJ signing complicate it a bit.

[losperros]

I think they might. I have a growing suspicion that this draft isn't going to go down as many of us have been thinking. I still expect them to select a MLB in the first round but after that, I think the odds of them drafting a DT are as high as them drafting a WR and I could easily see them going MLB, DT and CB in the first two rounds and targeting WRs like Dobson, Swope, Rogers, Goodwin, Wheaton, Hamilton, etc. after that.

I find myself considering the same possibility, Jim. The problem is that MLB, CB, DT, and WR are all big needs. If it was all left up to me, aside from MLB, I would have a difficult time making a decision on what order I would approach the draft. OTOH, what might make it clearer for the Vikings is BPA at the need positions during the draft. I just get the feeling that if, say, a DT stands head and shoulders in talent above the available WRs or CBs on their board, then that's who they will pick. And vice versa with the other need positions.

The WRs that you mention are all good ones. I imagine they could all contribute immediately, even though they aren't necessarily R1 or R2 guys. That said, I'm still hoping the Vikings pick two WRs. Dobson and anyone else you mentioned would be great.

[Mothman]

I find myself considering the same possibility, Jim. The problem is that MLB, CB, DT, and WR are all big needs. If it was all left up to me, aside from MLB, I would have a difficult time making a decision on what order I would approach the draft. OTOH, what might make it clearer for the Vikings is BPA at the need positions during the draft. I just get the feeling that if, say, a DT stands head and shoulders in talent above the available WRs or CBs on their board, then that's who they will pick. And vice versa with the other need positions.

I think that's exactly what will happen, Craig. I'm betting they'll prioritize the 4 positions we're talking about and let their board do the rest. As mansquatch said, it wouldn't be surprising to see them trade down and grab more picks, especially if they can sacrifice a first round pick for an extra second and third or something.

[mansquatch]

I agree with on the BPA amongst the 4. They need all 4 and as we have seen, no team fixes everything in one offseason. That is why I think we might see WR not get drafted due to the GJ signing. Even 3 positions is a tall order, but given they have starters at CB that should be serviceable you could see a draft order like

1st: MLB
1st: DT
2nd: CB

Wild card is BPA at WR or even another position, but given the breadth/depth ofthe draft I do not see that as very likely. Picking in the low 20s though does mean you get a shot at a talent who will drop.

[losperros]

I agree with on the BPA amongst the 4. They need all 4 and as we have seen, no team fixes everything in one offseason. That is why I think we might see WR not get drafted due to the GJ signing. Even 3 positions is a tall order, but given they have starters at CB that should be serviceable you could see a draft order like

1st: MLB
1st: DT
2nd: CB

Wild card is BPA at WR or even another position, but given the breadth/depth ofthe draft I do not see that as very likely. Picking in the low 20s though does mean you get a shot at a talent who will drop.

I can't agree that the Vikings might not draft a WR, particularly just because they signed Greg Jennings, who has had problems staying healthy for the last two seasons, At least, I hope that won't be the case. I mean, what happens if Jennings gets hurt yet again? I still say the Vikings need to draft two WRs and they have the number of picks to do so.

If the Vikings are foolish enough to ignore a critical WR need and they're willing to put Ponder in a position to fail (especially during possibly his final year to prove himself), then I will lose all respect for Spielman and his staff.

Ahem...not that it will matter, of course. I doubt that the draft room will check with me before they make a pick. But they should!

[mansquatch]

Los Perros you are of course correct on inujuries. However, my challenge to you is to say how is the situation at WR any better than the one at CB? What happens if/when Cook and/or Robinson get hurt? I would say that the WR apocalypse injury wise was the same as the plague of injuries that hit the secondary in 2011. IMO, the 2011 bunch takes the cake for total fail, ergo, we need depth back there.

Likewise, after KWill, then who at DT?

I agree that they could very easily justify a WR pick. My point is just to say that likewise, they could also go the other direction I outlined and be equally justified. My argument on the Jennings signing is that it shored up this position group to some extent. How much it did that is in the eye of the beholder. This isn’t to say it isn’t a need, it is, but with GJ on the roster you are now in a situation where you can let BPA rule the day between the 4 positions.

I think that without Winfield on the roster the situation at CB is scary. If one of those guys go down, our pass defense could be significantly compromised if the next man up is Scherels against 3 WR sets.

[Mothman]

I can't agree that the Vikings might not draft a WR, particularly just because they signed Greg Jennings, who has had problems staying healthy for the last two seasons, At least, I hope that won't be the case. I mean, what happens if Jennings gets hurt yet again? I still say the Vikings need to draft two WRs and they have the number of picks to do so.

If the Vikings are foolish enough to ignore a critical WR need and they're willing to put Ponder in a position to fail (especially during possibly his final year to prove himself), then I will lose all respect for Spielman and his staff.

I may be wrong but I think mansquatch meant we might not see the Vikes draft a WR in the first 2 rounds because of the GJ signing, not that they wouldn't draft a WR at all.

[Eli]

No question about it, the Vikings have serious issues at CB. Questionable starters, no depth.

I remember last preseason a lot of people, teammates included, were impressed with Bobby Felder. He's the kind of player that you can really pull for, and finding UFAs who can contribute is invaluable in a league where more than half of your draft picks end up being either busts or forgettable. Cornerback seems to be a position, though, where you rarely find an overlooked gem. We've seen it before. They groom a guy for two or three years, but when they actually put him on the field he can't stay close to his own shadow.

[mondry]

I agree with on the BPA amongst the 4. They need all 4 and as we have seen, no team fixes everything in one offseason. That is why I think we might see WR not get drafted due to the GJ signing. Even 3 positions is a tall order, but given they have starters at CB that should be serviceable you could see a draft order like

1st: MLB
1st: DT
2nd: CB

Wild card is BPA at WR or even another position, but given the breadth/depth ofthe draft I do not see that as very likely. Picking in the low 20s though does mean you get a shot at a talent who will drop.

Would love to see this or some combination of it of BPA's. A truly dominate defense to go with AD is the trick. Who's in the superbowl? 9ers and ravens because they had dominate defenses and potent running games with a passing game that's "just good enough."

Teams like NO and DET pass the ball all over the place and it doesn't do them a lick of good, even Green bay and their stable of WR's with the best QB in the league (and no defense) gets them bounced out in the 2nd round.

The "it's a passing league now" is especially over rated and unless Hopkins is there in the first round all of the WR's are overrated because of this mentality, take the defensive studs that fall to us and laugh all the way to the bank!

Then with the 3rd and 2 4th's you could go WR, WR, OG, like we did last year with Wright and Childs, one of um is bound to pan out.

[chicagopurple]

The question at QB MUST get answered this year, so WR is more important the DB. We arent likely to be drafting the final pieces to get the the Super Bowl this year. We are trying to complete a building process that must get completed in the next few years while AP is still at his prime. THAT is the really critical factor. Sadly, WR is one of the positions that tends to take the longest to learn and mature, so I really hope they play to trade/deal at the WR position rather then draft it. Every year I hear the clock ticking on AP's shelf life and I dread the day we look back and reminisce about how we had the best RB in NFL history who never won a Super Bowl....that would be a crime.