Pondering Her Percy wrote:THE VIKINGS DECIDE TO TRADE ADRIAN PETERSON AND THEIR 2016 5TH ROUND PICK TO THE ARIZONA CARDINALS FOR THEIR 2015 1ST ROUND PICK (25TH OVERALL)
It's possible, depending on compensation and how the picks end up, I could get on board. Especially if things can't get worked out I don't see how the Vikings could expect to get any more than this next offseason (of course, one could argue their chances of getting this high of pick is unlikely). I still want AD to finish his career in Purple. But it's almost like the Vikings and Peterson don't even care about that.
Round 1 (12th)
CB- Trae Waynes- Michigan St.- Adding Waynes to our defensive backfield will create one of the best CB duo's in the game with Xavier Rhodes already manning one side. Waynes is very similar to Rhodes. He is a taller, more physical CB that has shutdown potential. He's a press-man corner that loves to bump and run. Waynes couldn't be a better fit for Zimmer's system. We could be one of the first teams to have 2 legitimate shutdown corners
This is certainly possible with the amount of attention and visits he's had with the Vikings so far. I, for one, am not quite as high on Waynes as many are (I put him much closer to the other four of Johnson, Peters, Jones & Collins). That said, I have confidence if Zimmer green light's the pick that he'll be a very solid player. I just have my reservations. If we're going to keep the pick, I'd prefer to go with Cooper, Parker or Scherff, if any are there.
My alternate (if the aforementioned players are
not there) would be to trade out of the spot (ideally with Philly for a nice haul), but perhaps with a team like Kansas City or Houston. Then use the first pick on Cameron Erving, Kevin Johnson or Todd Gurley. I know many might think that spot is too early for these picks, but I love Erving and depending on where you put Scherff (tackle or guard), Erving is the top-ranked interior lineman in the draft. He'd instantly fill the hole at LG while offering position versatility on all line positions. And while I know some Vikings fans wouldn't be happy with Gurley in the short-term, I think his long-term potential will help soften the blow of losing AD. He's a top-15-type talent when he's healthy and an offensive playmaker in every sense of the word. Despite his suspension and injury he still rushed for 911 yards on 7.4 yards per carry in 2014, and finished with 3,285 yards on 6.4 yards per carry and rushed for 36 touchdowns in three seasons. He added 615 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns and two kickoff return touchdowns. And I love Kevin Johnson's game/tape and don't think there's any way he drops out of the first round now. He was a top performer in most all combine drills. He has the cover skills, athleticism and competitiveness you look for. I've slobbered over him enough over the last month, even though I don't know if Zimmer is as high on him as he seems to be on Waynes and Peters.
Round 1 (25th) via Arizona
OLB/S- Shaq Thompson- Washington- Many might think we would go RB here but with the depth of this years RB class, we have plenty of patience. As for Thompson, Zimmer and staff have met with him multiple times already and have held a private workout with him. He is a very rangy athletic LB that is a big time playmaker. Adding Barr last year and now Thompson on the weak side, our LB corps will be freakishly athletic on the outside and bad a## in the middle (that pick will be coming soon). Adding Waynes and Thompson this early in the draft already make this defense a top 10 defense in the league.
I like Thompson. A lot. he's a defensive playmaker (and just a stud athlete). But I can't help but wonder if we wouldn't be able to land him in round 2 since he may have the "tweener" label. If we do a Rick Special and trade back into the first round, my vote is for Kendricks. Thompson is a bit of an enigma to me. Traditionally Zimmer has seemed to prefer bigger guys at OLB, guys that are 250+ pounds. That isn't nor ever will be Thompson. However, I think Zimmer is creative enough to utilize him successfully. I'd prefer him to play base SS and shift to LB on third downs (and other specific situations). The thought of Barr, Kendricks, Thompson, Kevin Johnson, Rhodes and Smith back there just makes me giddy. I think Thompson could be better at SS long-term than Collins, offering big-play ability at both positions. I wouldn't mind if the Vikings traded back into the first to grab him. I just selfishly want Kendricks
and Thompson, though I realize that's probably not possible.
Round 2 (58th) via Baltimore
RB- Jay Ajayi- Boise St.- The "J-Train"!!!! Ajayi has recently bumped ahead of Tevin Coleman in my RB rankings. Scouts have been raving about him saying that his running style fits perfectly into the NFL. He has a very similar build to Adrian Peterson and carries the ball like Marshawn Lynch. There is no doubt in my mind that he can be a workhorse in the NFL. Similar to a Jeremy Hill of last years draft. He's explosive and runs very powerful. He will be an immediate starter with McKinnon providing 3rd down duties.
I haven't watched a ton of Ajayi, but I like what I've seen so far to a certain degree. However there are parts to his game of which I'm not the biggest fan. His 40 time (4.57) really surprised me (and not in a good way). While his body type may be similar to Peterson and Lynch, he's not the same athletically and I'm not sure it's particularly close. He surprisingly matches up better to Toby Gerhart than he does Peterson (Toby ran a faster 40 by .07 at an inch taller and 10 pounds heavier and they match up similarly on the vertical and broad jump). He seems to want to bounce it outside a lot, but many times lacks the speed to be very successful if/when he gets there. He also has an injury history and some character concerns. Good pass catcher and can play all three downs, often picking up "chunk" yards. Coleman is still higher on my own board, but both are measurably further from Gurley. I suppose if I'm being honest, I don't want to go from Peterson to an "OK" back. I want to maintain an elite talent at the position and I'm not sure Ajayi gives me enough as a second-rounder that McKinnon hasn't already shown me he can do. Ajayi would need to fall to the third round for me.
That said, in my scenario above we traded down from 11, so we get to keep #45. In which case, I turn my card in for Shaq Thompson, Cann (if no Erving), Breshad Perriman or Arik Armstead (this is predicated on having already taken a corner and LB earlier).
Round 3 (76th)
MLB- Paul Dawson- TCU- Zimmer and his staff seem to be a big fan of Dawson's after meeting with him multiple times and conducting a private workout. Dawson will probably see his stock fall due to a poor combine however, it works out well in our favor. He is a very instinctive thumper in the middle that will complete our LB corps for years to come.
I know this may crush some folks here but I'm passing on Dawson. It's possible guys lacking athletically to his degree turn out to be good players, but they're fighting long odds. If we draft him, I hope I'm wrong. Instead, my pick is DE Nate Orchard, who had an outstanding 2014 (84 tackles, 21.5 TFL and 18.5 sacks last season). He can be Robison's heir apparent, though I'm concerned about his athleticism a bit, which is why I think he falls to here. There's also some rumblings about "one hit wonder" (only 3 sacks in 2013). He had 10 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble vs. Stanford (and potential first-round LT Peat). He seems to be more "quick" than "fast", with a high motor. Zimmer can work with that.
Another interesting option here is CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and/or QB Garrett Grayson. Grayson ranked second in the nation behind Mariota last year in yards per attempt average (9.5), and trailed only Mariota in completion percentage on deep passes. Sounds like a Turner guy to me. Grayson posted 7,975 yards and a 55/18 TD/INT ratio across 27 starts for the Rams over the past two years. From what I've seen and read, he has potential. If the Vikings want to get serious about the QB spot, this wouldn't be a bad place to start.
Round 3 (90th) via Baltimore
OG- Ali Marpet- Hobart- Marpet was a big winner at the combine and has been on the rise. However, I think the 3rd round is where his range is right now due to attending small school. Hobart is actually only a few hours from where I live and my best friend played football and lacrosse there a few years back so I have always kept tabs on their program. Marpet looks to be a great fit for Turner's system athletically and schematically. I think he is a great value pick at this point.
Depending on what we do earlier in my scenario, I like this pick. With the Vikings hitting on small-schooler Fusco, there's some precedent here. I'd love the value here because I've seen some speculate he could go #50 overall to Buffalo. I also would feel confident taking Dorial Green-Beckham in this spot, but he'll likely be long gone. Another interesting receiving option here would be Kansas State WR Tyler Locket. He'd be an interesting guy to have on the roster while you're deciding what you're going to do with Wright. He can get open at will at times (that'd be refreshing). He also has some returning chops. He has some T.Y. Hilton in him. RB David Johnson is an interesting option here as well. And I'll throw out Miller here, too, depending on if we've done anything to address guard earlier.
Round 4 (110th overall)
S- Damarious Randall- Arizona St.- Randall is another guy that we had a private workout with. He's is a very instinctive safety with great balls skills. He is a very physical run defender even though he is somewhat undersized. He could develop into a solid starter down the road for us.
I don't know much about him but cursory glances have decent evaluations (particularly his coverage skills). I wonder if P.J. Williams' latest arrest drops him down this far.
Round 5 via Buffalo via Tampa Bay (137th overall)
WR- Tony Lippett- Michigan St.- One of my favorite sleepers in this draft, Lippett has great size (6'2) and has the stride and jump ball ability to be a threat on the outside. 86.7 of his catches went for first downs this past year. He would be a great fit on the outside in Norv's offense.
I'd take a flyer here on Lippett as a corner. Sounds like he can transition well and has intriguing measurables. The next Richard Sherman maybe?
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio said a scout told him that Michigan State WR Tony Lippett has "hawk awareness." "He can pick the ball up at the blink of an eye and determine where it's going and pick it," Dantonio said. "I really think today opened a lot of people's eyes."
Round 5 via Cleveland(147th overall)
DT/DE- Henry Anderson- Stanford- More versatility for Zimmer. Anderson was a force for Stanford this year racking up 8.5 sacks and 15 TFL. He can play both inside and outside which is something Zimmer looks for.
Apparently he "couldn't be blocked" at the Senior Bowl. He's on the bigger side to play on the outside. He's an interesting guy with some upside I'd take a chance on here at DT.
Round 7 (229th overall)
QB- Connor Halliday- Washington St.- He will fill out 3rd string QB spot.
Couldn't hurt if they pass on Grayson earlier (which they probably will). I think I recall reading he broke the NCAA passing yardage record by throwing for some stupid number (over 700 yards) last season before he broke his leg. Not the biggest arm though.
....Hope you guys enjoyed the read!!!
Absolutely. Thanks for putting these together! I hope you don't mind the feedback!
