PFT Mock Draft

[headless_norseman]

In a deep draft for many positions, the odds of trading down from the 25th spot to the 2nd round is close to zero, and that's if the Vikes wanted to do so. Besides, we grab the best 2-3 LB's on our board with the 25th pick, thus rendering Teo obsolete.

[PurpleKoolaid]

In a deep draft for many positions, the odds of trading down from the 25th spot to the 2nd round is close to zero, and that's if the Vikes wanted to do so. Besides, we grab the best 2-3 LB's on our board with the 25th pick, thus rendering Teo obsolete.

Whats your problem with Teo? He doesnt know the cover 2? Isnt a good 4-3 LB? Does drugs? Too many DUI's? Too short? Played poorly, like 99% of all defensive players against Bama?

[headless_norseman]

Whats your problem with Teo? He doesnt know the cover 2? Isnt a good 4-3 LB? Does drugs? Too many DUI's? Too short? Played poorly, like 99% of all defensive players against Bama?

No real problem but I already addressed why a couple of posts above. I also think we have 2-3 backers rated higher.

Teo in the National Championship game is a decent indicator. He, along with the rest of ND, was mowed down by that minor league tam from 'Bama, and coaches are scared of that and drafting him so high.

[headless_norseman]

Minor league? Isn't Alabama's OG Chance Warmack considered the best Guard in recent drafts? Isn't Alabam's OT DJ Fluker consdired a top 5 Tackle in this years draft? Hmmm.. I wouldnt consider their OLine Minor League when the Two OL players that entered the draft are going to most likely go in the top 10. To each his own I guess

Minor league team. It's a sarcastic reference to 'Bama's dominance where ND & Teo were lacking. And such evidence and game film of Teo being mowed down is not taken lightly. And those two 'Bama OL examples, Teo has to see every week. That's the point.

[Demi]

Wow! T'eo is going to be a damn solid player in the NFL for a decade IMO. Lauranitis/Pozluzny like. But I hope we don't draft him because of the defense we run. He doesn't fit it. He can do plenty of things but he looks like another guy that's going to be a liability in coverage and allow the middle of the field to be abused again and again, especially in the red zone.

[headless_norseman]

How many of ND's DLine are going in the 1st round of the draft? I am pretty sure Te'o will have better DT's up front to handle those OLinemen. The NFL is filled with the best of the best, so surely the OL from 'bama are not going to be that dominant in the NFL.

You're reaching for secondary factors. How many other first round projected LB's are being tagged with the 'not every down player' line? And why is this so?

The reasons are known to even us, hence my posts. I feel no need to talk about a guy we are NOT going to draft. Besides, do you think Teo fits the mental mold of what Singletary looks for?

[headless_norseman]

Agree with Brown and would add Kevin Minter as the only 2 LB's I hope they are looking at for the 25th pick.

[saint33]

Agree with Brown and would add Kevin Minter as the only 2 LB's I hope they are looking at for the 25th pick.

Tell me, what is it about Te'o that you think makes him any less a 3 down linebacker than Kevin Minter? The two are very similar in many ways.

And ftr, most analysts, or at least respectable ones, have all said in a zone coverage defense Te'o is very much a 3 down linebacker.

I think your analysis of Te'o is off. Did he struggle against Alabama? Absolutely. It is however only one game, against the best offensive line in the country who also made many top tier linebackers look pedestrian, and he had a defensive line that was absolutely man handled in front of him. If NFL scouts are going to base their entire scouting reports off one game, I seriously would question how they got their job.

Is it something that shouldn't be accounted for? Absolutely not. It is a factor in the overall picture, but in the end there is a heckuva lot more good tape on Te'o then there is bad tape. The Bama game gets blown up because of the magnitude of the game and the attention Te'o received nationally. But in the end, one bad game against an elite opponent is not going to cost Te'o nearly as much as your making it out to.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Tell me, what is it about Te'o that you think makes him any less a 3 down linebacker than Kevin Minter? The two are very similar in many ways.

And ftr, most analysts, or at least respectable ones, have all said in a zone coverage defense Te'o is very much a 3 down linebacker.

I think your analysis of Te'o is off. Did he struggle against Alabama? Absolutely. It is however only one game, against the best offensive line in the country who also made many top tier linebackers look pedestrian, and he had a defensive line that was absolutely man handled in front of him. If NFL scouts are going to base their entire scouting reports off one game, I seriously would question how they got their job.

Is it something that shouldn't be accounted for? Absolutely not. It is a factor in the overall picture, but in the end there is a heckuva lot more good tape on Te'o then there is bad tape. The Bama game gets blown up because of the magnitude of the game and the attention Te'o received nationally. But in the end, one bad game against an elite opponent is not going to cost Te'o nearly as much as your making it out to.

Add to thatthe ND D did NOTHING to help out the LBs in that game. Nothing. That was the worst any ND line has looked since I started watching them. Certain people just like to point that game out as Teo's flaw. It was an entire Defesive failer. I wont go into the offensive not even giving them a break.

I know some here hate ND simply cause its ND. Yet they dont mind Smith, or Kyle.

[Mothman]

I think your analysis of Te'o is off. Did he struggle against Alabama? Absolutely. It is however only one game, against the best offensive line in the country who also made many top tier linebackers look pedestrian, and he had a defensive line that was absolutely man handled in front of him.

Not only that, I heard Chance Warmack say on NFL Network that Alabama's OL (and he in particular on some plays) targeted Te'o. One of their goals was to get to the second level and get after him in particular.

[mansquatch]

I question the assertion that given the appropriate circumstances they wouldn't want to trade down? If the draft is deep what you do not want to do is trade up. Trading down, for the right deal is sound move in a deep draft as it gives you more choices.

At this point I think the LB discussion is moot. None of us have nearly the information the FO has. I just hope whomever they get is a legit playmaker. They need that bad back there.

[jackal]

I just hope the genius around Blair Walsh and Harrison Smith continue and we get some all pro talent through out the draft

[losperros]

Jus read an article on bleacher report, they took a poll I am assuming on what player te Vikings fans want to see their team draft.

Top players wanted:
1. DeAndre Hopkins
2. Arthur Brown
3. Sylvester Williams
4. Desmond Trufant

I found it relieving that supposedly the majority of fans agree that Hopkins and Brown would be the best fits. I would attach the article but it was on the phone app. I usually don't agree with anything bleacher report says, and found that the majority of fans don't either based on the comments left lol. "What are you smoking!?! The Panthers are not going to deft a LB, you are high on something and need to share!"

You gotta check out the comments sometime.

I think it would be cool to start a thread that is titled "one player the Vikings must draft and why" just to see what everyone's analysis is on their favorite player.

Wow...not bad. I like all those players. I think I would have listed Desmond Trufant higher.

[losperros]

Not only that, I heard Chance Warmack say on NFL Network that Alabama's OL (and he in particular on some plays) targeted Te'o. One of their goals was to get to the second level and get after him in particular.

And if they targeted Te'o, then it's because they had respect for him. If Bama respected him that much, I can't help but believe Te'o must be good.

[losperros]

Whats your problem with Teo? He doesnt know the cover 2? Isnt a good 4-3 LB? Does drugs? Too many DUI's? Too short? Played poorly, like 99% of all defensive players against Bama?

Exactly! Bama humiliated defenses all season long. In case anyone missed it, Alabama has been the BCS Champion 3 out of the last 4 years! Yes, they're that good.