PHP's "All-Out" Full Mock Offseason

[Pondering Her Percy]

As promised, I decided to do a complete mock offseason. I always say, I'm not saying this is what's going to happen. Some of the following sentences are similar to what I put in my last mocks just to remind fellow fans how these work. Will it be correct, no probably not. I have hit on a decent number of picks over the years (Munnerlyn and Jennings in FA, Patterson, Hodges, Harrison Smith and Floyd (at the time I had us getting Floyd in the 2nd before he shot up draft boards)) but it's next to impossible to ever get these right but I know you guys enjoy the read. I look to assess our current needs as best as I can and keeping it as realistic as possible.

REMEMBER ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!!!! If I did a mock last year at this time and said we would get Bridgewater and Barr you guys would tear me apart!!




The Vikings finish 7-9 and receive the 12th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft



THE VIKINGS DECIDE TO KEEP ADRIAN PETERSON GOING INTO 2015



2015 Vikings Free Agents

QB Christian Ponder - not resigned
OG Joe Berger - resigned 1 year, vet minimum
OG Vladimir Ducasse - not resigned
OT Mike Harris - not resigned
DE Corey Wootton - resigned 1 year, $1M/year
DT Tom Johnson - resigned 3 years, $2M/year
LB Jasper Brinkley - resigned 1 year, $1M/year
LS Cullen Loeffler - resigned 2 years, $1M/year


RFA's Retained
RB Matt Asiata (RFA) - retained
RB Joe Banyard (ERFA) - practice squad


Players Released
LG- Charlie Johnson
WLB- Chad Greenway (sad to say but I have to do it )


Free Agency- Spielman continues to go after youth in free agency


MLB/OLB- KJ Wright- 4 years, $5.5M/year- Wright gives us even more versatility at the LB position and is our splash player in free agency in 2015. No matter where Wright plays on the field, he makes plays. He has played WLB and MLB. “Honestly, K.J. could star at all three of the linebacker spots – and he has,” defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said recently. “And I’m not sure he couldn’t be a nickel defensive end. So I couldn’t be more pleased with his start.” In this instance, he will start out at MLB, Hodges at weak, and Barr at strong.





LG- Clint Boling- 2 years, $2.5M/year- Boling was injured last season but has been a superior pass blocker since he has been in the league and has ranked in the top 15 according PFF the last 2 years. He provides us a possible starting left guard, if not great depth based on how Kalil pans out.





SS- Marcus Gilchrist- 2 years, $1.5M/year- Gilchrist is a guy that will be able to push Blanton for a starting spot. He has done fairly well in SD over the past few years and is a low risk-high reward type player that can make an impact.





RB- Bilal Powell- 1 year, vet minimum- Powell provides depth and could give Asiata a run for his money






2015 NFL Draft


Round 1 (12th)

LG/LT- Brandon Scherff- Iowa- This pick improves our offensive line immensely and gives us plenty of options. Scherff is one of the best all around offensive lineman in this class. He is somewhat undersized to be an NFL LT standing at 6'5, however, he was one of the best LTs in the country this year and has experience playing guard as well. His versatility is similar to Greg Robinson's in last years draft. This gives us options of Scherff, Kalil and Boling on the left side. If Kalil gets his act together, Scherff can play LG for us. If Kalil washes out, we put Scherff at LT and Boling at LG. It's a win-win situation.







TRADE- The classic Spielman trade up never fails. The Vikings trade their 2nd round pick (44th overall) and their 4th round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for their 1st round pick (30th overall)





Round 1 (30th) via Arizona

WR- DeVante Parker- Louisville- Parker has been a favorite of mine ever since Teddy was at Louisville. I was curious that his production might have gone down since Teddy left but that was not the case. Teddy and Parker were lights out together and would bring great familiar between the two to this offense. He was hurt for a bit this season but in the last 3 games he has put up stat lines of: 9-132-0 vs NCst, 8-214-0 vs FlaSt, and 9-144-1 vs BC
Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYNxoIbQZg8







TRADE- Spielman decides to trade down in order to get more picks. . The Vikings trade their 3rd round pick (76th overall) to the Cincinnati Bengals for their 3rd round pick (85th overall) and their 5th round pick (149th overall)





Round 3 (85th) via Cincinnati

CB- Kevin Johnson- Wake Forest- Johnson has been one of the most productive CBs in the ACC recently. The 6'0 CB has tremendous ball skills and is known to be a playmaker. He is a press man CB that could fill in opposite Rhodes sooner rather than later. He fits Zimmer's defense very well.





Round 5 (140th)

DE- Preston Smith- Mississippi St.- Smith will provide depth along the defensive line that could flourish down the road.





Round 5 via Cincinnati (149th)

CB- Ladarius Gunter- Miami- provides more depth at CB. Gunter is a good sized CB standing at 6'2





Round 6

OT/OG- Darryl Williams- Oklahoma- Provides more depth at OT





Round 7

QB- Taylor Kelly- Arizona St.- our 3rd string QB




....Hope you guys enjoyed the read!!! :novices:

[Beo]

I love Scherff!!!! I hate using 1st round picks on O-Line but he will be what Kalil and Mckinnie were supposed to be. Nice job as always brother. Keep up the good work.

[Purple bruise]

Good job. I would like it if they drafted a QB earlier with more upside. I dread going into next season with Cassel and my jury is still waiting on TB. Seems like one step forward and then a step back (yeah I know he is a rookie) but I watched Mettenberger (Titans) last night and he looked great against the Steelers. I love his arm, pocket awareness, and staying calm under pressure and delivering a great pass time and time again. I know 20/20 hindsight and all but he looks like steal taken late in the draft!!

[Mothman]

Pondering, I haven't had a chance to read your post yet but I suggest avoiding yellow text in future posts. It's very hard to read in the board's lighter mode, which many of us use.

Now, on to the mock...!

[Mothman]

Nice job on the mock. I never knew what to say about these things because they're so speculative.

I think Greenway is probably gone unless he takes a pay cut. I'm not so sure about Johnson.

I like the idea of drafting a QB and I'd consider it pretty high in the draft (maybe as high as R2 or R3)., not because I dislike Bridgewater but because I want to see the Vikings give themselves options and make their depth chart at that position as strong as possible. The competition might be good for Teddy too.

Based on the little I've seen of him, Scherff could be a good pick.

Parker would make sense because he's a pretty skilled receiver and he and teddy have a good history. That kind of familiarity can help breed success.

I'd like to see them strive to do better than Powell or Asiata at RB, although I have to say that Asiata has proven his value as a goal line/short yardage specialist. It's nice to have a "hammer" like that when the team is close to the end zone. Of course, if they keep Peterson, as you projected, they'll have that "hammer" and more.

Nice job!

[Pondering Her Percy]

Thanks guys Mothman, I changed out the yellow font for you and any others.

I was actually going to add a depth chart with it but I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer last night. Glad you guys like it. Keep the feedback coming.

[Mothman]

Thanks guys Mothman, I changed out the yellow font for you and any others.

Thanks.

I was actually going to add a depth chart with it but I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer last night.

That's dedication!

[Cliff]

I don't think we'll part ways with Greenway. Zimmer seems to be in love with him.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I don't think we'll part ways with Greenway. Zimmer seems to be in love with him.

I said the same thing as well a month or so back. However, with Hodges emerging and lack of a play making MLB, I don't really see a spot for him on this team. If they slid him to the middle, I would be all for it. But if they don't, I can't see them holding onto him.

[Pondering Her Percy]

That's dedication!

I will probably do it today because we just got bombed with snow in New York so in turn, I get the day off from work

[PurpleHalo]

I would puke if they used another 1st round pick on an offensive lineman. 1st round is where you find stud playmakers, you get the line in subsequent rounds, where the 1st round speed and agility are not available.

[dead_poet]

Nice work!

I'm a biased Scherff fan myself but I'm trying to look past that. From what I've seen this year, he has competition and he may not be the best LT available at our pick (he did not look good vs. Maryland). Andrus Peat (Stanford) and La'el Collins (LSU) are two guys that may be (probably are) better. I thought Collins played really well vs. Alabama and LSU, and that's stiff competition and I really like Peat.

You have no idea how much I want to draft Amari Cooper, but I know that's a pipe dream (though he's currently mocked to us at draftek.com at #9 overall). I also think landing DeVante Parker would be a good get, but Kevin White should also be there when we pick and he's had a spectacular season so far (91 receptions for 1,207 yards and eight touchdowns) and looks the part (6'3/210). We need a receiver upgrade badly with Patterson disappointing and Jennings looking more and more like a possession-type reliable #3 these days.

On the defensive side for potential first-picks, DE Dante Fowler and SS Landon Collins are possibilities. I haven't located many all-star potential ILBs, though there is some buzz with Denzel Perryman and Bernardrick McKinney. Names to watch as the season rolls on. I've actually seen McKinney mocked to the Vikings in a couple drafts.

I'd be surprised if the Vikings took a corner in R1, but it's possible. If so, Trae Waynes or Ifo Ekpre-Olomu would be possibilities (though the latter would give Demi fits being only 5'10). But I don't see them taking a corner.

I wonder how many people here would have a stroke if we drafted Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley if they're there at our pick.

I don't want Powell. Asiata or Ellison are sufficient in the "big back"/short yardage role.

Nice work! These are always fun to read and debate.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Updated Depth Chart for 2015.....this is NOT the final 53 man roster. Just simply shows our depth and what we have

Free agents in green
Draft picks in red


OFFENSE

QB- Bridgewater, Cassel, Kelly
RB- Peterson, McKinnon, Asiata / Powell
FB- Felton, Line

WR- Parker, Patterson, Jennings, Wright, Johnson, Thielen
TE- Rudolph, Ford, Ellison, Gray

LT- Scherff / Kalil
LG- Scherff / Boling, Yankey (Pending on Kalil)
C- Sullivan, Berger
RG- Fusco, Yankey / Wentworth
RT- Loadholt, Williams



DEFENSE
DE- Griffen, Crichton
DE- Robison, Wooton / Smith
3DT- Floyd, Johnson
1DT- Joseph, Stephen

SLB- Barr, Cole / Watts
MLB- Wright, Brinkley, Cole
WLB- Hodges, Mauti

CB- Rhodes, Gunter, Price, James
CB- Johnson, Robinson, Prater
NCB- Munnerlyn, Sherels
FS- Smith, Sendejo, Raymond
SS- Gilchrist / Blanton, Exum Jr.



SPECIAL TEAMS
K- Walsh
P- Locke
LS- Loeffler
KR- Patterson
PR- Sherels / McKinnon

[Pondering Her Percy]

Nice work!

I'm a biased Scherff fan myself but I'm trying to look past that. From what I've seen this year, he has competition and he may not be the best LT available at our pick (he did not look good vs. Maryland). Andrus Peat (Stanford) and La'el Collins (LSU) are two guys that may be (probably are) better. I thought Collins played really well vs. Alabama and LSU, and that's stiff competition and I really like Peat.

You have no idea how much I want to draft Amari Cooper, but I know that's a pipe dream (though he's currently mocked to us at draftek.com at #9 overall). I also think landing DeVante Parker would be a good get, but Kevin White should also be there when we pick and he's had a spectacular season so far (91 receptions for 1,207 yards and eight touchdowns) and looks the part (6'3/210). We need a receiver upgrade badly with Patterson disappointing and Jennings looking more and more like a possession-type reliable #3 these days.

On the defensive side for potential first-picks, DE Dante Fowler and SS Landon Collins are possibilities. I haven't located many all-star potential ILBs, though there is some buzz with Denzel Perryman and Bernardrick McKinney. Names to watch as the season rolls on. I've actually seen McKinney mocked to the Vikings in a couple drafts.

I'd be surprised if the Vikings took a corner in R1, but it's possible. If so, Trae Waynes or Ifo Ekpre-Olomu would be possibilities (though the latter would give Demi fits being only 5'10). But I don't see them taking a corner.

I wonder how many people here would have a stroke if we drafted Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley if they're there at our pick.

I don't want Powell. Asiata or Ellison are sufficient in the "big back"/short yardage role.

Nice work! These are always fun to read and debate.

Thanks for the feedback Poet!! Trust me, many of those guys you listed, I was considering. Collins I had in my last mock as well as Perryman. McKinney I've been keeping an eye on as well. I love Waynes from Mich St. Darqeuze Dennard has raved about him and said he would be two times the player Dennard is. My biggest thing with Scherff was his versatility and mean-streak. We are weak at both LT and LG. This gives us plenty of options along the left side. I considered Peat and in middle rounds, Crisp out of NCst.

[frosted]

I love K.J. Wright!


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