2015 Offseason - Free Agent/Draft Tracker

[MikethePurple]

I don't really watch college football and only hear about players in passing so the first time I know much about any potential draft picks is in the hype for players before the draft. In the context of our need for another corner, (and I'm hoping the Vikes go this route if the player they have ranked highly on their board is still there) this was an interesting video with Bucky Brooks describing Trae Waynes and Marcus Peters. Brooks has Peters ranked above Waynes in his breakdown. Wondering if anyone knows much about Peters as in the national media the only corner I've been hearing much about is Waynes? Sounds like he would fit with Zimmer's system of physical press corners as well.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap ... rae-Waynes

[dead_poet]

I don't really watch college football and only hear about players in passing so the first time I know much about any potential draft picks is in the hype for players before the draft. In the context of our need for another corner, (and I'm hoping the Vikes go this route if the player they have ranked highly on their board is still there) this was an interesting video with Bucky Brooks describing Trae Waynes and Marcus Peters. Brooks has Peters ranked above Waynes in his breakdown. Wondering if anyone knows much about Peters as in the national media the only corner I've been hearing much about is Waynes? Sounds like he would fit with Zimmer's system of physical press corners as well.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap ... rae-Waynes

It varies by analyst/evaluator. Peters comes with attitude/character concerns but has R1 buzz. He didn't light up the combine (4.53-40), but had a decent showing overall. Here was a quote from Todd McShay back in February.

"If he isn't the first cornerback taken in 2015, it will be a direct result of his behavioral issues," McShay wrote. "But teams are going to have to really look into his maturity and accountability, as he's had a laundry list of off-field incidents: a failed drug test in 2011, an academic suspension in 2014 and several suspensions and ultimately a dismissal from the program in 2014 related to showing up late or missing practices and throwing a tantrum with coaches on the sideline of a game. He's talked openly about taking responsibility for his past behavior, and is a fiery competitor on the field who loves the game, but teams are going to need to be convinced that they can trust him." An NFC personnel director told NFL.com recently that he wouldn't use a first- or second-round pick on Peters due to character concerns.

Rob Rang

Peters' multiple run-ins with coaches are troubling, though his issues haven't been with other authority figures; he has never been arrested," Rang wrote. "Peters is the most talented corner in the 2015 draft, boasting size, physicality and cover skills." Fortunately for Peters, a number of crucial sources -- including former UW coach Steve Sarkisian, current Huskies DC Pete Kwiatkowski and DB coach Jimmy Lake -- denied that his infamous choking incident ever occurred.

ESPN.com Kevin Weidl

"He has good size and strength and is loaded with athletic ability," Weidl wrote. "He also shows impressive overall awareness and recognizes route concepts, and he quickly locates and plays the ball.

Lance Zierlein

"Peters has raw talent with prototype size, ball skills and the confidence NFL teams are looking for, but he's far from a polished cornerback, and that's without taking his character concerns into consideration. He lacks the necessary discipline and maturity on the field and in practice; he doesn't take coaching -- he was dismissed from Washington after multiple run-ins with the coaching staff -- and is overly emotional and prone to mental mistakes because of it."

He compares him to Talib

"Both entered the draft with off-field concerns. They show similar body language when things don't go their way on the field and are both volatile, but their playing styles are similar, too. They both love to attack the ball and sit down on routes to try to make things happen."

FWIW I've become a big fan of Kevin Johnson lately.

Here's Mayock's ranking (as of March 2)

Cornerback
1. Trae Waynes, Michigan State
2. Jalen Collins, LSU
3. Marcus Peters, Washington
4. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
T-5. Byron Jones, Connecticut
T-5. P.J. Williams, Florida State

[cmoss84]

FWIW I've become a big fan of Kevin Johnson lately.

Here's Mayock's ranking (as of March 2)

Cornerback
1. Trae Waynes, Michigan State
2. Jalen Collins, LSU
3. Marcus Peters, Washington
4. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
T-5. Byron Jones, Connecticut
T-5. P.J. Williams, Florida State


I'm not a huge fan of drafting a CB in the top 15 unless they are freakish. Chances are the Vikes will have their choice of a couple of these guys round 2.

[MikethePurple]

Thanks for the breakdown Dead Poet. Brooks mentioned character issues but really didn't get into detail. I don't envy the people who have to make decisions on taking chances on players. Honestly, I'm hopeful (like most) that we go BPA but it would be nice if it matched up with an area of need. There are plenty of those on the team so at least that's a silver lining I just hope they find another promising corner at some point in the draft. The Vikes clearly need to upgrade in that area.

[dead_poet]

I just hope they find another promising corner at some point in the draft. The Vikes clearly need to upgrade in that area.

No problem, and I agree. Waynes may be hard to pass on (FWIW the Vikings either have had him in for a visit or are today). I'm not convinced he's the best corner in this class, though. I'm starting to warm to the idea of trading down, grabbing a pick and using one on Johnson, Collins or Peters (whoever is there) and possibly a guard like Cann or Erving (though the latter will be long gone) or one of the top three ILBs (Perryman, Kendricks, McKinney), though I'm less confident about McKinney as I am the other two.

[frosted]

No problem, and I agree. Waynes may be hard to pass on (FWIW the Vikings either have had him in for a visit or are today). I'm not convinced he's the best corner in this class, though. I'm starting to warm to the idea of trading down, grabbing a pick and using one on Johnson, Collins or Peters (whoever is there) and possibly a guard like Cann or Erving (though the latter will be long gone) or one of the top three ILBs (Perryman, Kendricks, McKinney), though I'm less confident about McKinney as I am the other two.

There's so many possibilities, it's great fun.

Psst...Dawson.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DK Sweets]

Can we just have all the rookies?

[dead_poet]

Can we just have all the rookies?

Just all the ones now that end up as stars in three years. It's not too much to ask, you know, the gift of clairvoyance.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

I hope this is not Minnesota's end-plan for offensive tackle depth. Mike Harris was absolute garbage last year.

[cmoss84]

I'm not too savvy with offensive lineman, so I was wondering if someone on here could answer this for me. How difficult/normal is it for a lineman to switch positions? I know every case is different, but in general would a Long/Myers/Wisniewski be worth a sign if they are willing to step in a different spot?

thanks guys

[Mothman]

I'm not too savvy with offensive lineman, so I was wondering if someone on here could answer this for me. How difficult/normal is it for a lineman to switch positions? I know every case is different, but in general would a Long/Myers/Wisniewski be worth a sign if they are willing to step in a different spot?

thanks guys

Interior lineman aren't completely interchangeable but it's not unusual for a center to move to guard and be just fine. It seems to me tackles don't move inside as often. that could be because they're often taller and interior defensive linemen can underneath them and gain leverage mo too easily or it could simply be because tackle seems to be a more valued position so teams don't move them if they can avoid it.

Anyway, it's not unusual at all for o-linemen to switch positions. I've been thinking the Vikes should take a look at Myers and Wisniewski too.

[saint33]

Interior lineman aren't completely interchangeable but it's not unusual for a center to move to guard and be just fine. It seems to me tackles don't move inside as often. that could be because they're often taller and interior defensive linemen can underneath them and gain leverage mo too easily or it could simply be because tackle seems to be a more valued position so teams don't move them if they can avoid it.

Anyway, it's not unusual at all for o-linemen to switch positions. I've been thinking the Vikes should take a look at Myers and Wisniewski too.

ya, it really just depends on each player's individual skill set. As far as the players cmoss listed though, I believe Wisniewski actually started his career at guard (although I'm not sure to what results) before moving to C. And Jake Long actually moved to guard for a year in Miami after busting out at LT and did pretty well before hitting free agency and getting another chance to play tackle. Myers I don't know enough about to comment.

All in all, I don't think anyone of them would be an answer long term, but I wouldn't be against it if we looked into these possibilities

[Mothman]

ya, it really just depends on each player's individual skill set. As far as the players cmoss listed though, I believe Wisniewski actually started his career at guard (although I'm not sure to what results) before moving to C. And Jake Long actually moved to guard for a year in Miami after busting out at LT and did pretty well before hitting free agency and getting another chance to play tackle. Myers I don't know enough about to comment.

All in all, I don't think anyone of them would be an answer long term, but I wouldn't be against it if we looked into these possibilities

Myers has played guard before too so in a sense, these three players all serve as pretty good answers to cmoss' question.

[CbusVikesFan]

Myers has played guard before too so in a sense, these three players all serve as pretty good answers to cmoss' question.

I have always wondered how valuable and rare are the players that can and do play all three positions along the line? Vikings ever had anyone like this?

[S197]

I have always wondered how valuable and rare are the players that can and do play all three positions along the line? Vikings ever had anyone like this?

Berger. Played tackle in college and plays guard/center now.