#8 MINNESOTA VIKINGS: ANTHONY BARR, OLB, UCLA
Everyone assumes the Vikings are looking for a quarterback with this pick but don’t be surprised if they address one of their many holes on the defensive side of the ball and target a signal caller such as Zach Mettenberger of L.S.U. later on. UCLA OLB Anthony Barr began his college career as a fullback / tight end hybrid but has been nothing short of a revelation since transitioning to defense as a junior. An incredible athlete with an outstanding blend of size and speed as well as top-notch intangibles, Barr terrorizes opponents as a blitzer off the edge and the scary part is he’s just beginning to tap into his immense potential. Barr is still rough around the edges and will require some patience but he has all of the tools to develop into an elite pass rusher at the next level. Buffalo OLB Khalil Mack would probably get the edge over Barr but it’s unlikely he’ll last this long. Keep an eye on Alabama ILB C.J. Mosley too. Don’t rule out Oklahoma St. CB Justin Gilbert either as he could be the top-flight cover guy they’ve been desperately searching for in recent years. Central Florida QB Blake Bortles isn’t going to slide this far but he is an ideal fit for Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner’s system and the Vikes could explore a trade up if he were to escape the Top 3. Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater will also be in the conversation and Fresno St. QB Derek Carr could be a darkhorse. As for Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel, it’s pretty tough to envision a hard-nosed, no-nonsense guy such as Head Coach Mike Zimmer putting up with all of the extracurricular distractions that come with "Johnny Football".
#40 MINNESOTA VIKINGS: ZACH METTENBERGER, QB, L.S.U.
Prototypical big armed pocket passer is a perfect for Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner's scheme.
#72 MINNESOTA VIKINGS: DEONE BUCANNON, S, WASHINGTON ST.
Extraordinarily productive, physical and hard-hitting but is better in the box than in coverage.
I'm really starting to love Deone Buchanon out of Washington State with pick 40. He's one of the hardest hitters I've seen come out of the draft in a long time and has very solid ball skills. I know Safety isn't a HUGE needs but he would be solid next to Smith this year. However, I think our only hope is to take him at 40. Which means we will have to take a QB at 8 or in the 3rd.
The saddest thing in life is wasted talent and the choices you make will shape your life forever.
-Chazz Palminteri
They must really like Taylor Lewan down in Miami. Perhaps they are hoping that Jake Matthews will fall to number eight as well.
NextQuestion wrote:Would trading back for Clinton-Dix be so bad? Cover safety and box safety who are both good couldn't hurt us
Ha-Ha is more Harrison Smith than Mark Barron. I think Zimmer (I could be wrong) would like a true box safety like Craig Loston. Personally, I would like Ha-Ha on this team if we traded back and Teddy Bridgewater wasn't available.
A Randy Moss fan for life. A Kevin Williams fan for life.
Not too many surprises here. Evans just over Watkins; Barr, Mosely, Nix and Pryor ranked higher than some would put them (6, 7, 12 and 16, respectively). Some would say McCarron is ranked fairly high and that Jernigan's stock has cooled in recent months. Dennard's profile was encouraging.
Worth giving your favorite players a look.
“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” --- Bill Shankly
HardcoreVikesFan wrote:
Ha-Ha is more Harrison Smith than Mark Barron. I think Zimmer (I could be wrong) would like a true box safety like Craig Loston. Personally, I would like Ha-Ha on this team if we traded back and Teddy Bridgewater wasn't available.
I would take Bucannon over either of them. I think Bucannon is much better value at 40 and then we can focus on a more immediate need at 8 (QB, LB, CB)
The saddest thing in life is wasted talent and the choices you make will shape your life forever.
-Chazz Palminteri
I wonder would it be worth a 3rd or 4th round pick if Tampa Bay decides to pick a QB at 7
Not much of an upgrade (if at all) but at least he has upside. And some NFL snaps. I'd take him as a backup over Ponder. Might even beat out Cassell. And his contract is more than manageable. 4th maybe. If it's him or some random left over QB, wonder how he stacks up compared to what's going to be available from the third round on.