LB and DB

[Mothman]

I'm trying to determine the current status of these positions for the Vikes right now.

The Roster at Vikings.com lists the following:

Brandon Burton CB
Chris Cook CB
Bobby Felder CB
Greg McCoy CB
Josh Robinson CB
Marcus Sherels CB

Nicholas Taylor DB
Roderick Williams DB
———————————

For those who are wondering: Taylor is a former basketball player from Florida International who the Vikings signed to develop. He's obviously a long shot to become a significant contributor.
Williams was a CFL all-star and they signed him earlier this year.
McCoy is a former 7th round pick of the Bears who was also signed earlier this year.
Felder was an undrafted free agent the Vikes signed last year. he ended up on their practice squad.

The Vikings tendered offers to A.J. Jefferson, Marcus Sherels and Andrew Sendejo (a safety, listed below). Since the latter two are listed on the roster, i assume they signed their offers. I'm guessing Jefferson hasn't done that yet. If he does, the top 3 CBs on the depth chart would probably be Cook, Robinson and Jefferson.

Robert Blanton S
Mistral Raymond S
Jamarca Sanford S
Andrew Sendejo S
Harrison Smith S

Audie Cole LB
Larry Dean LB
Chad Greenway LB
Erin Henderson LB
Marvin Mitchell LB
Tyrone McKenzie OLB

I don't see a likely starting MLB in that group. I'm assuming they want Greenway and Henderson starting outside again so barring another significant free agent signing, it's probably safe to assume that MLB will be one of, if not the, top priority for the Vikings in this draft. It's hard to say if they will prioritize CB over their needs at WR but even if Jefferson signs, I have to believe they'll be looking at a corner in the first 2 to 3 rounds unless they sign one in free agency.

Thoughts?

[The Breeze]

It's remarkable how lucky they were last year in the injury dept. They are paper thin at quite a few positions which just serves to remind that this is still the initial stages of a rebuild.

MLB is #1 need IMO. I would think that much of the draft will be on the defensive side of the ball. A high pick and late pick at WR and mid to late one on the OL. Other than that, CB/DB, DT(nose tackle perhaps) and another LB. Wouldn't be shocked to see them grab a late rd QB if they liked a guy. I also expect them to be serious about UDFAs before camp......might find a Victor Cruz, or John Randle, you never know.

Obviously guys are going to have to step up this season and stay healthy. I think we could be pleasantly surprised at Safety with marked improvement from Sanford and Raymond...wouldn't bet money on it, but it's not beyond possible.

LB has shown me to be a position where rookies can come in and make immediate impacts. So, in theory, we could be just 1 guy away from having a solid unit there....just not much depth.

I'd like them to grab a DB in what's left of the FA pool...but I don't know if they have cap space.

Really going to enjoy the draft this year.

[Texas Vike]

I'm trying to determine the current status of these positions for the Vikes right now.

The Roster at Vikings.com lists the following:

Brandon Burton CB
Chris Cook CB
Bobby Felder CB
Greg McCoy CB
Josh Robinson CB
Marcus Sherels CB

Nicholas Taylor DB
Roderick Williams DB
———————————

For those who are wondering: Taylor is a former basketball player from Florida International who the Vikings signed to develop. He's obviously a long shot to become a significant contributor.
Williams was a CFL all-star and they signed him earlier this year.
McCoy is a former 7th round pick of the Bears who was also signed earlier this year.
Felder was an undrafted free agent the Vikes signed last year. he ended up on their practice squad.

The Vikings tendered offers to A.J. Jefferson, Marcus Sherels and Andrew Sendejo (a safety, listed below). Since the latter two are listed on the roster, i assume they signed their offers. I'm guessing Jefferson hasn't done that yet. If he does, the top 3 CBs on the depth chart would probably be Cook, Robinson and Jefferson.

Robert Blanton S
Mistral Raymond S
Jamarca Sanford S
Andrew Sendejo S
Harrison Smith S

Audie Cole LB
Larry Dean LB
Chad Greenway LB
Erin Henderson LB
Marvin Mitchell LB
Tyrone McKenzie OLB

I don't see a likely starting MLB in that group. I'm assuming they want Greenway and Henderson starting outside again so barring another significant free agent signing, it's probably safe to assume that MLB will be one of, if not the, top priority for the Vikings in this draft. It's hard to say if they will prioritize CB over their needs at WR but even if Jefferson signs, I have to believe they'll be looking at a corner in the first 2 to 3 rounds unless they sign one in free agency.

Thoughts?

I have a sneaking suspicion that they´re hoping to take Te´o with one of their first rd. picks. Just a hunch. My guess is they´ll address the secondary early too. IMO, after the top 2 or 3 WRs there are many that are pretty solid that should be available in rounds 3-4 and I can see them choosing one there. OTOH, I can imagine them thinking long and hard about Tavon Austin if he is around at 23 or 25.

[Texas Vike]

I'm trying to determine the current status of these positions for the Vikes right now.

The Roster at Vikings.com lists the following:

Brandon Burton CB
Chris Cook CB
Bobby Felder CB
Greg McCoy CB
Josh Robinson CB
Marcus Sherels CB

Nicholas Taylor DB
Roderick Williams DB
———————————

For those who are wondering: Taylor is a former basketball player from Florida International who the Vikings signed to develop. He's obviously a long shot to become a significant contributor.
Williams was a CFL all-star and they signed him earlier this year.
McCoy is a former 7th round pick of the Bears who was also signed earlier this year.
Felder was an undrafted free agent the Vikes signed last year. he ended up on their practice squad.

The Vikings tendered offers to A.J. Jefferson, Marcus Sherels and Andrew Sendejo (a safety, listed below). Since the latter two are listed on the roster, i assume they signed their offers. I'm guessing Jefferson hasn't done that yet. If he does, the top 3 CBs on the depth chart would probably be Cook, Robinson and Jefferson.

Robert Blanton S
Mistral Raymond S
Jamarca Sanford S
Andrew Sendejo S
Harrison Smith S

Audie Cole LB
Larry Dean LB
Chad Greenway LB
Erin Henderson LB
Marvin Mitchell LB
Tyrone McKenzie OLB

I don't see a likely starting MLB in that group. I'm assuming they want Greenway and Henderson starting outside again so barring another significant free agent signing, it's probably safe to assume that MLB will be one of, if not the, top priority for the Vikings in this draft. It's hard to say if they will prioritize CB over their needs at WR but even if Jefferson signs, I have to believe they'll be looking at a corner in the first 2 to 3 rounds unless they sign one in free agency.

Thoughts?

I have a sneaking suspicion that they´re hoping to take Te´o with one of their first rd. picks. Just a hunch. My guess is they´ll address the secondary early too. IMO, after the top 2 or 3 WRs there are many that are pretty solid that should be available in rounds 3-4 and I can see them choosing one there. OTOH, I can imagine them thinking long and hard about Tavon Austin if he is around at 23 or 25.

[Mothman]

It's remarkable how lucky they were last year in the injury dept. They are paper thin at quite a few positions which just serves to remind that this is still the initial stages of a rebuild.

MLB is #1 need IMO. I would think that much of the draft will be on the defensive side of the ball. A high pick and late pick at WR and mid to late one on the OL. Other than that, CB/DB, DT(nose tackle perhaps) and another LB. Wouldn't be shocked to see them grab a late rd QB if they liked a guy. I also expect them to be serious about UDFAs before camp......might find a Victor Cruz, or John Randle, you never know.

I agree. I think they'll be active signing undrafted free agents and at the moment, MLB definitely looks like their #1 need. I think the rest of the draft could go down as you're saying. I expect a fair amount of focus on defense and I won't be surprised if they add talent anywhere on that side of the ball, including DE.

Obviously guys are going to have to step up this season and stay healthy. I think we could be pleasantly surprised at Safety with marked improvement from Sanford and Raymond...wouldn't bet money on it, but it's not beyond possible.

LB has shown me to be a position where rookies can come in and make immediate impacts. So, in theory, we could be just 1 guy away from having a solid unit there....just not much depth.

... and even that depends on how some of those younger LBs on the roster are developing, although they really don't look deep at LB.

Really going to enjoy the draft this year.

I can't wait! In particular, I hope they can continue to be successful in the first round. With two picks available to them, they can really help themselves in the long term if they make those picks count.

[Mothman]

I have a sneaking suspicion that they´re hoping to take Te´o with one of their first rd. picks. Just a hunch. My guess is they´ll address the secondary early too. IMO, after the top 2 or 3 WRs there are many that are pretty solid that should be available in rounds 3-4 and I can see them choosing one there. OTOH, I can imagine them thinking long and hard about Tavon Austin if he is around at 23 or 25.

Considering their history with Notre Dame players, it wouldn't surprise me if they drafted Te'o or even Eifert (since their effort to make the 2 TE offense click didn't exactly take off with Carlson last year). Admittedly, the latter would be a big surprise but I don't think it's outside of the realm of possibility, just unlikely.

I suspect drafting Te'o would be a controversial move.

At CB, they may be hoping Rhodes or Trufant are still on the board when they pick.

They still have some options available in free agency if they're inclined to go in that direction. There ILBs and CBs out there waiting to sign somewhere.

[The Breeze]

I can't wait! In particular, I hope they can continue to be successful in the first round. With two picks available to them, they can really help themselves in the long term if they make those picks count.

Absolutely.
That fact that there are 2 picks and they are so close together will really make day 1 exciting as well as set the table for the next rounds. They have several needs and I could see them considering players from 3 different positions with those 2 picks. Just depends on who is there that they like. Gonna be lots of hand wringing here at VMB

[Eli]

Marvin Mitchel is still a UFA, so the Vikings have only five LBs under contract.

A.J. Jefferson is a restricted free agent. The Vikings tendered him at the minimum level, which is $1.3M and the player's original draft round in compensation. Since he was undrafted, they'd receive no compensation, so he wouldn't be very expensive for another team to try and sign. He has a month (deadline is a week before the draft) to get qualifying offers from other teams that the Vikings would have the option of matching.

Sherels and Sendejo are exclusive right free agents who were tendered, but I don't think either have signed yet. Their only options are to either sign or be out of football, so they'll be back.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I think the Vikes are going to see what Cole can do at MLB MIKE. I still think they draft at least 1 LB, maybe even 2. Erin is a PoS IMO. I kinda like what Ive seen in Cole.

I think they may go LB with first pick. With all the decent WRs, we maybe be trading down, and get someone like Hunter later.

CB has me kinda scared. Sherels flat out sucks. I hope he can return both kicks and punts. Because hes isnt a good CB. A dime at best.

[nfcnorthchamps25]

A guy I like with one of our first two picks is Desmond Trufant.

If we could get him and a LB like Arthur Brown with our two picks we better do it. Sure we need WRs but IMO a 2nd round WR wont be much of a difference from the first rounders this year. Guys like Da'Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter would still be there in round 2 so we can still get a WR to pair with Jennings, Simpson, and Wright.

[losperros]

I think the Vikes are going to see what Cole can do at MLB MIKE. I still think they draft at least 1 LB, maybe even 2. Erin is a PoS IMO. I kinda like what Ive seen in Cole.

I think they may go LB with first pick. With all the decent WRs, we maybe be trading down, and get someone like Hunter later.

CB has me kinda scared. Sherels flat out sucks. I hope he can return both kicks and punts. Because hes isnt a good CB. A dime at best.

Given that there are four MLBs from the SEC in the draft and all of them are really good, I think the Vikings might pick one. I'd love to see them land Alec Ogletree from Georgia.

That said, I'm hoping they take WR Justin Hunter in R2.

[Mothman]

Given that there are four MLBs from the SEC in the draft and all of them are really good, I think the Vikings might pick one. I'd love to see them land Alec Ogletree from Georgia.

Honestly, I'd rather see them take one of the others. Ogletree just seems like trouble waiting to happen.

[Mothman]

Deleted a double post.

[VikingPaul73]

Honestly, I'd rather see them take one of the others. Ogletree just seems like trouble waiting to happen.

Agreed......after this Harvin issue, no character questions PLEASE!!!!

[losperros]

Honestly, I'd rather see them take one of the others. Ogletree just seems like trouble waiting to happen.

That's right, I hadn't considered the character stuff. It's not something I saw when he played, so I forgot about it. Too bad. The guy can really play football.

Well, there is still Kevin Minter from LSU. Good character, as far as I know, plus he can play. I don't know when he's projected to be picked, though.