NFL Draft 2019 Discussion

[J. Kapp 11]

I'll just go ahead and say it.

I doubt he drops to 18, but I want T.J. Hockenson. The guy is an animal. Colin Cowherd (I know, I know ... Cow Turd, but anyway) says he's the closest thing to Gronk in the college ranks right now, and I agree. Excellent pass catcher, nasty nasty blocker. I've seen him bury defensive ends and linebackers on running plays. He'd help in every area of the game, and actually would be great in 2-TE sets with Rudolph. Hockenson can get down the field, while Rudy can handle the short stuff.

I know we need interior O-linemen. But dang this guy can play. I live in Iowa and watched him play. He's the real deal. Just don't think he's going to last until 18.

Dont be surprised if New England somehow lands him with Gronk retiring. But I do like Hockenson alot as well. I've always said, I hope we dont just walk in there having OL goggles on and still go with BPA. If a guy like Hockenson is there somehow and a few OL are off the board, it's hard to pass up. I said the same thing regarding Montez Sweat.

Here's an ugly thought.

Sports Illustrated's latest mock has Hockenson going to the freaking Packers. That would definitely darken my day.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Dont be surprised if New England somehow lands him with Gronk retiring. But I do like Hockenson alot as well. I've always said, I hope we dont just walk in there having OL goggles on and still go with BPA. If a guy like Hockenson is there somehow and a few OL are off the board, it's hard to pass up. I said the same thing regarding Montez Sweat.

Here's an ugly thought.

Sports Illustrated's latest mock has Hockenson going to the freaking Packers. That would definitely darken my day.

Yeah same here. Although I will say, even though Jimmy Graham is kind of past his prime, I thought he would have done more there. TE's havent done much in GB for quite a while now. I mean Jared Cook went there for 1 year and had career lows. Graham went there and had career lows. JerMichael Finley had a good year or two in GB. Outside of that, Rodgers has never been a big TE guy or at least that offense hasnt. They did gain Lafleur and Delanie Walker put up good numbers with him so I could see them taking Hockenson. I just hope they draft a guy and he breaks his leg walking up the stairs to get his picture taken? Is that bad? Screw it, I dont care lol

[Pondering Her Percy]

I don't think he'll be around either but could see them going TE. What are your thoughts on Fant? He's the athletic freak archetype Rick likes a lot. Some have him pegged as a 1st round pick but I can see him dropping due to his rawness.

Fant is probably the better athlete of the two (although TJ is no slouch). He's got serious run, jump, catch, etc. ability. If Hockenson weren't available, I wouldn't be upset at selecting Fant. He's definitely projected for the first round, ranked second to Hockenson by most scouts.

On the downside, he's had some injuries, and he's nowhere near the blocker Hockenson is.

On a side note ... it's baffling how Iowa managed to be so barely-above-average with those two guys on the same team.

I will say though, this is another position we could wait on if we wanted. We can still land a good TE in the 2nd round given this class. I mean we landed Rudy in the 2nd. I feel like we could do the same in this draft.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Dont be surprised if New England somehow lands him with Gronk retiring. But I do like Hockenson alot as well. I've always said, I hope we dont just walk in there having OL goggles on and still go with BPA. If a guy like Hockenson is there somehow and a few OL are off the board, it's hard to pass up. I said the same thing regarding Montez Sweat.

Here's an ugly thought.

Sports Illustrated's latest mock has Hockenson going to the freaking Packers. That would definitely darken my day.

I really wish we could have gotten rid of Kyle last year when he still had value. If they had, I have no doubt even Rick would be smart enough to move up if need be to get a guy like Hokenson. He has it all, I LOVE mad TE's when they block. The Packers will nab him, or at least make the Vikes feel like they will. Rogers to Hokenson would be deadly, the middle of the field would be their pay dirt.

[StumpHunter]

PFF put out a video of NFC North draft needs.

#1 Was interior linemen of course

#2 Was DT (totally agree with this)

and #3....

Was CB.

[Pondering Her Percy]

PFF put out a video of NFC North draft needs.

#1 Was interior linemen of course

#2 Was DT (totally agree with this)

and #3....

Was CB.

Yeah I saw that. Clearly someone doesnt follow this team as well as we think. It truly makes me wonder how some people have jobs in the NFL or in sports in general. Guys like Skip Bayless and Steven A. Smith are just so fricken clueless its not even funny. Even on NFL Network I specifically remember one of the regular analysts on their a few years back kept calling Arian Foster "Adrian Foster". Like literally said it like 4 times. How do you work for NFL network and not know the guys name. I get it if you botch a long snappers name. But a top RB in his prime, and you consistently call him "Adrian"? Or I remember when Skip Bayless said in 2012 (yes the year AP nearly broke the record) that he would still take Doug Martin over Adrian Peterson in their primes. He literally should have been fired on the spot after saying that.

[mansquatch]

I think the team is in a bit of dilemma. DT is very rich in this draft class and they have a need there. Could be an opportunity to get a quality talent later than normal or an elite talent in the first round. Team also had a need at RB. I strongly doubt this is a 1st round pick though . Guard need is obvious.

I'm curious to see what they do. Spielman has a LONG history of not drafting OL early. Is this the year he finally bucks that trend? I'm skeptical on that one. I think they will be torn between OL and DT in round one. I suspect they'll grab RB in the 2nd or 3rd.

If they draft CB or WR in the first round I'll have a freakout with the rest of you.

[Texas Vike]

He literally should have been fired on the spot after saying that.

Fired by whom? The producer that told him to say something controversial to boost ratings?

You are right, there are a lot of incompetent people in sports broadcasting, but a lot of it is just click bait frothing at the mouth to get attention.

I agree that we're either drafting DL or OL @ 18. If not, pitch forks.

[Pondering Her Percy]

He literally should have been fired on the spot after saying that.

Fired by whom? The producer that told him to say something controversial to boost ratings?

You are right, there are a lot of incompetent people in sports broadcasting, but a lot of it is just click bait frothing at the mouth to get attention.

I agree that we're either drafting DL or OL @ 18. If not, pitch forks.

True, a lot is for show. Like that stupid new show with Bayless and Sharpe. Two loud mouths that dont know what they are talking about and just argue with each other. But did you see Steven A Smith completely botch his Chargers/Chiefs analysis this year? It was probably the most embarrassing thing I've ever seen in sports broadcasting. It was like week 15 and he said the key performers in that game (leading up to it), were TE- Hunter Henry and LB- Derrick Johnson. Hunter Henry tore his ACL over the summer and didnt play the entire year and Derrick Johnson was never resigned by the Chiefs this year and played for the Raiders And it's week fricken 15 and you somehow dont know that?!! And you have a job? lol

[VikingPaul73]

OL we pretty much know what we have right now is a total mess

DT is a little more interesting because there are a couple of mid round picks (Johnson and Holmes) that are sort of unknown right now. What do we have with these guys? As fans we really don’t know but maybe Zim thinks one of these guys can step up next year and DT really isn’t as much of a priority as we as fans think it is.

[StumpHunter]

He literally should have been fired on the spot after saying that.

Fired by whom? The producer that told him to say something controversial to boost ratings?

You are right, there are a lot of incompetent people in sports broadcasting, but a lot of it is just click bait frothing at the mouth to get attention.

I agree that we're either drafting DL or OL @ 18. If not, pitch forks.

I think that is true for Skip and Smith. Those guys get ratings by being hated and being wrong.

PFF is looking to build credibility by being right though.

[Pondering Her Percy]

OL we pretty much know what we have right now is a total mess

DT is a little more interesting because there are a couple of mid round picks (Johnson and Holmes) that are sort of unknown right now. What do we have with these guys? As fans we really don’t know but maybe Zim thinks one of these guys can step up next year and DT really isn’t as much of a priority as we as fans think it is.

I think O'Neill, Elflein and Kline are all average to above average. Reiff at times can be decent. I wouldnt say it's a TOTAL mess right now. It's definitely a little better than it was. We have one main hole and that is left guard and we're lacking depth. I'd say our biggest star is O'Neill. Kline is an average to slightly above average lineman. Elflein had a poor year but again, he had two awful guards next to him compared to 2017 when he had Berger and Elflein. If we have someone like Lindstrom and Kline on each side of Elflein, you're going to see him play much better. It never helps a center when he's surrounded by poor guards.

As for DT, I wouldnt be surprised if Holmes makes a big jump this year. He's my deep sleeper for us going into 2019

[fiestavike]

OL we pretty much know what we have right now is a total mess

DT is a little more interesting because there are a couple of mid round picks (Johnson and Holmes) that are sort of unknown right now. What do we have with these guys? As fans we really don’t know but maybe Zim thinks one of these guys can step up next year and DT really isn’t as much of a priority as we as fans think it is.

I think O'Neill, Elflein and Kline are all average to above average. Reiff at times can be decent. I wouldnt say it's a TOTAL mess right now. It's definitely a little better than it was. We have one main hole and that is left guard and we're lacking depth. I'd say our biggest star is O'Neill. Kline is an average to slightly above average lineman. Elflein had a poor year but again, he had two awful guards next to him compared to 2017 when he had Berger and Elflein. If we have someone like Lindstrom and Kline on each side of Elflein, you're going to see him play much better. It never helps a center when he's surrounded by poor guards.

As for DT, I wouldnt be surprised if Holmes makes a big jump this year. He's my deep sleeper for us going into 2019

Personally, I'm pretty taken with McKoy at C too. I would not be upset if we went Ford/Lindstrom etc at 18 and managed to get McKoy in the 2nd. Let Elflein and Kline prove they should be starting instead of handing it to them after last year. They need to create legitimate competition for those starting spots on the OL

[halfgiz]

OL we pretty much know what we have right now is a total mess

DT is a little more interesting because there are a couple of mid round picks (Johnson and Holmes) that are sort of unknown right now. What do we have with these guys? As fans we really don’t know but maybe Zim thinks one of these guys can step up next year and DT really isn’t as much of a priority as we as fans think it is.

I think O'Neill, Elflein and Kline are all average to above average. Reiff at times can be decent. I wouldnt say it's a TOTAL mess right now. It's definitely a little better than it was. We have one main hole and that is left guard and we're lacking depth. I'd say our biggest star is O'Neill. Kline is an average to slightly above average lineman. Elflein had a poor year but again, he had two awful guards next to him compared to 2017 when he had Berger and Elflein. If we have someone like Lindstrom and Kline on each side of Elflein, you're going to see him play much better. It never helps a center when he's surrounded by poor guards.

As for DT, I wouldnt be surprised if Holmes makes a big jump this year. He's my deep sleeper for us going into 2019

There was a reason the Titians cut Kline and it wasn't because he was above average.
And this is going to be a big year for Elflein to show his worth.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I think O'Neill, Elflein and Kline are all average to above average. Reiff at times can be decent. I wouldnt say it's a TOTAL mess right now. It's definitely a little better than it was. We have one main hole and that is left guard and we're lacking depth. I'd say our biggest star is O'Neill. Kline is an average to slightly above average lineman. Elflein had a poor year but again, he had two awful guards next to him compared to 2017 when he had Berger and Elflein. If we have someone like Lindstrom and Kline on each side of Elflein, you're going to see him play much better. It never helps a center when he's surrounded by poor guards.

As for DT, I wouldnt be surprised if Holmes makes a big jump this year. He's my deep sleeper for us going into 2019

There was a reason the Titians cut Kline and it wasn't because he was above average.
And this is going to be a big year for Elflein to show his worth.

They cut Kline because he refused to take a pay cut. And I didn’t specifically say he was the above average one. I’m referring to O’Neill. They aren’t going to cut Kline after 1 bad year and 3 straight solid ones. Lineman would be hitting the market right and left if that was the case.