2022 NFL Draft

[J. Kapp 11]

For those bashing "The Baum", this is the highest graded center in the last 10+ years. Maybe highest graded ever. He was a DL before making the switch. This kid is a beast. You would complain about an All Pro type player for the next decade because he went too early?

No intent on my part to bash "The Baum". Just noting trends I'm seeing in public mocks and player prospect evals I've read. Linderbaum is generally considered the top center prospect coming out this year, but the overall center class is relatively weak and the talent pools at other positions are relatively deep and strong. Could just be a FOMO year where teams go on binges at positions where the talent pool stands out a bit more, which could cause a guy like Linderbaum to drop lower than he might in a different year.

Per Scott Dochterman of The Athletic:

Pro Football Focus graded Linderbaum as the top center nationally since the ratings service began college evaluations in 2014. Linderbaum provided the heartbeat for Iowa’s offense by combining strength, power, elite athletic ability and balance with rare competitiveness.

As an Iowa fan and a person who has watched nearly every game Tyler Linderbaum has played, I agree with PFF. He dominates the middle of every game he plays, and it doesn’t matter who is across the line of scrimmage from him. He’s only 290, but uses great leverage and doesn’t get blown up like Bradbury does. Great IQ, and if KOC is going to run wide zone like they did in LA, Linderbaum is the best reach and combo blocker many scouts have seen in a very long time.

Here’s a solid film study of Linderbaum.

[psjordan]

I am a HUGE draft nut. Want tix to the combine so bad. I just love this time of the year. I have over the years, totally gotten away from Walterfootball. They do some good write ups about the guys, but I have seen so many other sites so much better and consistent. It is a great resource for looking up players though.

Well I am no longer the guy who looks up college players with excitement, so I certainly hope to see a ton of posts from you and the other "draft savvy" posters between now and the draft!

[IIsweet]

I am a HUGE draft nut. Want tix to the combine so bad. I just love this time of the year. I have over the years, totally gotten away from Walterfootball. They do some good write ups about the guys, but I have seen so many other sites so much better and consistent. It is a great resource for looking up players though.

Well I am no longer the guy who looks up college players with excitement, so I certainly hope to see a ton of posts from you and the other "draft savvy" posters between now and the draft!

I will try to grab the baton with a bunch of others, kinda like a relay team.
It's just my thing. Dream job would be a scout and to be in the draft room

[VikingLord]

IMO Linderbaum is both BPA and Need. Again, his anchor ability is unique for a Center. Defense at 12 would be great if I had a plan of what KOC and Donatell vision of it first. Until their vision is fleshed out, I believe Linderbaum will be an all pro and if they missed out of him, it will be just another example of them paying attention of some guy's draft board instead of their own.

OK, I watched both the video at the link Kapp provided (thanks for that Kapp!), as well as some other reviews just to get a wider perspective on Linderbaum.

First things first, he's a very good prospect. I liked the awareness he shows, his tenacity is impressive, his ability to move and, more importantly, maintain his balance on the move, is top notch. He shows the balance and punch and technique that should keep him from winding up on his behind ala one Garrett Bradbury. So I really liked what I saw and can see what you like about him.

But beyond that, I'm still not sure he's worth #12, at least not for the Vikings. When I think about the player I want to see the Vikings snag at #12, I think of a guy who can come in day one and be a difference-maker at his position. While I don't doubt that Linderbaum would be an improvement over Bradbury, I don't see him as a generational prospect at his position. He's very good, but not great. I think he's also pretty close already to his ceiling. Admittedly, where he's at right now is already very high, but I don't see a player there who can get much bigger or stronger than he would be coming out.

I would not be upset if the Vikings took him at #12 on a pure need basis or talent basis. For what it's worth, I could say the same thing about the WR position if the Vikings went that route at #12. There is always a need for as much talent as possible, and any time the team drafts a player who improves the talent at a given position, that's good value. I do think Linderbaum is better and would be an improvement at center over Bradbury.

I just think that there are greater need areas on the team and there will be very talented prospects on the board with higher ceilings when #12 comes up. It will be tough for KAM and KOC to choose a center there, even if it could be justified both based on need and the talent of the player.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see where Linderbaum goes in this upcoming draft. I think it's more likely he'll come off the board somewhere between 20-32 after watching more on him, but I don't see him in the first half of the first round. It will be interesting to see where he goes.

[Foreman44]

Do not get me what here. I get a kick out of those who take these mocks so seriously. Every mock has a list of every teams pick, round by round. Fans seem to look at this as gospel fact. Mel K, or other psychic type has u s picking Willis, or whoever in the first round.

Everyone holds these so called experts so seriously as well as mocks. Look at the mocks after and see how right they are. What percentage of the first round is right. 15-20%. You can’t pick fora fact who picks where

Our always have the unknow like us taking DemetriusUnderwood in the first.

Formethe only reality of mocks is a tool for the average fan to have a idea of the talent out there to a .great tool for me. It outside of maybe the top 2-3 picks. Is a crap shoot

[fiestavike]

IMO Linderbaum is both BPA and Need. Again, his anchor ability is unique for a Center. Defense at 12 would be great if I had a plan of what KOC and Donatell vision of it first. Until their vision is fleshed out, I believe Linderbaum will be an all pro and if they missed out of him, it will be just another example of them paying attention of some guy's draft board instead of their own.

OK, I watched both the video at the link Kapp provided (thanks for that Kapp!), as well as some other reviews just to get a wider perspective on Linderbaum.

First things first, he's a very good prospect. I liked the awareness he shows, his tenacity is impressive, his ability to move and, more importantly, maintain his balance on the move, is top notch. He shows the balance and punch and technique that should keep him from winding up on his behind ala one Garrett Bradbury. So I really liked what I saw and can see what you like about him.

But beyond that, I'm still not sure he's worth #12, at least not for the Vikings. When I think about the player I want to see the Vikings snag at #12, I think of a guy who can come in day one and be a difference-maker at his position. While I don't doubt that Linderbaum would be an improvement over Bradbury, I don't see him as a generational prospect at his position. He's very good, but not great. I think he's also pretty close already to his ceiling. Admittedly, where he's at right now is already very high, but I don't see a player there who can get much bigger or stronger than he would be coming out.

I would not be upset if the Vikings took him at #12 on a pure need basis or talent basis. For what it's worth, I could say the same thing about the WR position if the Vikings went that route at #12. There is always a need for as much talent as possible, and any time the team drafts a player who improves the talent at a given position, that's good value. I do think Linderbaum is better and would be an improvement at center over Bradbury.

I just think that there are greater need areas on the team and there will be very talented prospects on the board with higher ceilings when #12 comes up. It will be tough for KAM and KOC to choose a center there, even if it could be justified both based on need and the talent of the player.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see where Linderbaum goes in this upcoming draft. I think it's more likely he'll come off the board somewhere between 20-32 after watching more on him, but I don't see him in the first half of the first round. It will be interesting to see where he goes.

I think the only way to impact the game now from the defensive side is pressure. From the offensive side just don't blow it, that is, execution. That means the two most important things on offense are 1) a QB who can quickly process. 2) a QB who can manage pressure (climb the pocket, escape, keep composure etc). 3) an OLine which can pass protect.

Defensively, the only true difference makers today are 1) guys who can get pressure.

Excellence at every other position/skill is just gravy and might help you win, but is not essential to winning.

If the Vikings keep Kirk, they need to go all in on Offensive Line and pass rush.

[J. Kapp 11]

IMO Linderbaum is both BPA and Need. Again, his anchor ability is unique for a Center. Defense at 12 would be great if I had a plan of what KOC and Donatell vision of it first. Until their vision is fleshed out, I believe Linderbaum will be an all pro and if they missed out of him, it will be just another example of them paying attention of some guy's draft board instead of their own.

OK, I watched both the video at the link Kapp provided (thanks for that Kapp!), as well as some other reviews just to get a wider perspective on Linderbaum.

First things first, he's a very good prospect. I liked the awareness he shows, his tenacity is impressive, his ability to move and, more importantly, maintain his balance on the move, is top notch. He shows the balance and punch and technique that should keep him from winding up on his behind ala one Garrett Bradbury. So I really liked what I saw and can see what you like about him.

But beyond that, I'm still not sure he's worth #12, at least not for the Vikings. When I think about the player I want to see the Vikings snag at #12, I think of a guy who can come in day one and be a difference-maker at his position. While I don't doubt that Linderbaum would be an improvement over Bradbury, I don't see him as a generational prospect at his position. He's very good, but not great. I think he's also pretty close already to his ceiling. Admittedly, where he's at right now is already very high, but I don't see a player there who can get much bigger or stronger than he would be coming out.

I would not be upset if the Vikings took him at #12 on a pure need basis or talent basis. For what it's worth, I could say the same thing about the WR position if the Vikings went that route at #12. There is always a need for as much talent as possible, and any time the team drafts a player who improves the talent at a given position, that's good value. I do think Linderbaum is better and would be an improvement at center over Bradbury.

I just think that there are greater need areas on the team and there will be very talented prospects on the board with higher ceilings when #12 comes up. It will be tough for KAM and KOC to choose a center there, even if it could be justified both based on need and the talent of the player.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see where Linderbaum goes in this upcoming draft. I think it's more likely he'll come off the board somewhere between 20-32 after watching more on him, but I don't see him in the first half of the first round. It will be interesting to see where he goes.

Fair post. I’ll disagree on the ceiling.

Other analysis videos show more of his areas he needs to improve, and I’ve yet to see anybody say theres anything he can’t correct. What’s really good about him is when he gets beat or a little out of position, his ability to recover and reset is elite. Linderbaum is a tad on the small side at 290, but he’s got the frame to grow, and knowing his mentality, I have no doubt he would do everything in his power to do so. Unlike Bradbury, he has a really strong, solid base and drops anchor very well. Linderbaum doesn’t get run over in pass pro.

My only concern about drafting him is the Vikings’ position at 12. All things being equal, I’d take Linderbaum in a minute. But who else is available at that spot?

I totally agree with the comment that pressure is everything in today’s NFL. With the rules favoring the offense in such a huge way, getting pressure on the QB is one of the few ways to make an impact on defense. And preventing pressure, especially up the middle for Cousins, is hugely important. The Vikings are thin at edge rusher, and they’re weak up the middle on offense. Is BPA at either position available at 12?

My hope is that KAM will sign for need and draft for best players. It’s what smart teams do. If Linderbaum isn’t BPA when the Vikings draft, then they shouldn’t take him. It pains me to say that because I love Linderbaum, but the Vikings have had such an odd draft philosophy … they need to start drafting smart.

[Maelstrom88]

No intent on my part to bash "The Baum". Just noting trends I'm seeing in public mocks and player prospect evals I've read. Linderbaum is generally considered the top center prospect coming out this year, but the overall center class is relatively weak and the talent pools at other positions are relatively deep and strong. Could just be a FOMO year where teams go on binges at positions where the talent pool stands out a bit more, which could cause a guy like Linderbaum to drop lower than he might in a different year.

Per Scott Dochterman of The Athletic:

Pro Football Focus graded Linderbaum as the top center nationally since the ratings service began college evaluations in 2014. Linderbaum provided the heartbeat for Iowa’s offense by combining strength, power, elite athletic ability and balance with rare competitiveness.

As an Iowa fan and a person who has watched nearly every game Tyler Linderbaum has played, I agree with PFF. He dominates the middle of every game he plays, and it doesn’t matter who is across the line of scrimmage from him. He’s only 290, but uses great leverage and doesn’t get blown up like Bradbury does. Great IQ, and if KOC is going to run wide zone like they did in LA, Linderbaum is the best reach and combo blocker many scouts have seen in a very long time.

Here’s a solid film study of Linderbaum.

I'm just concerned with him being too light and not a mauler. Basically Bradbury 2.0. Ive grown tired of seeing our lightweights get bullied and tossed around. I wouldn't want him at pick 12. I'm not sure who who I want them to draft yet but I'm leaning WR or pass rusher. Thielen is old and JJ is going to need a new partner in crime. Also your 3rd WR is a starter in today's NFL. Nickel corners and slot WRs are worthy of 1st round picks.

[fiestavike]

Per Scott Dochterman of The Athletic:



As an Iowa fan and a person who has watched nearly every game Tyler Linderbaum has played, I agree with PFF. He dominates the middle of every game he plays, and it doesn’t matter who is across the line of scrimmage from him. He’s only 290, but uses great leverage and doesn’t get blown up like Bradbury does. Great IQ, and if KOC is going to run wide zone like they did in LA, Linderbaum is the best reach and combo blocker many scouts have seen in a very long time.

Here’s a solid film study of Linderbaum.

I'm just concerned with him being too light and not a mauler. Basically Bradbury 2.0. Ive grown tired of seeing our lightweights get bullied and tossed around. I wouldn't want him at pick 12. I'm not sure who who I want them to draft yet but I'm leaning WR or pass rusher. Thielen is old and JJ is going to need a new partner in crime. Also your 3rd WR is a starter in today's NFL. Nickel corners and slot WRs are worthy of 1st round picks.

I think the 2nd and 3rd WR are generally schemed open in todays NFL and are not worthy of early round draft picks except for teams that are already really stacked at QB, OL, and pass rush. CBs are playing at such disadvantage that the shut down CB is no longer a part of the game. That being the case, almost no DB is worth drafting in the first round in the modern NFL.

[Maelstrom88]

I'm just concerned with him being too light and not a mauler. Basically Bradbury 2.0. Ive grown tired of seeing our lightweights get bullied and tossed around. I wouldn't want him at pick 12. I'm not sure who who I want them to draft yet but I'm leaning WR or pass rusher. Thielen is old and JJ is going to need a new partner in crime. Also your 3rd WR is a starter in today's NFL. Nickel corners and slot WRs are worthy of 1st round picks.

I think the 2nd and 3rd WR are generally schemed open in todays NFL and are not worthy of early round draft picks except for teams that are already really stacked at QB, OL, and pass rush. CBs are playing at such disadvantage that the shut down CB is no longer a part of the game. That being the case, almost no DB is worth drafting in the first round in the modern NFL.

Agree on the DB assessment. I've seen enough of them drafted high by us. I look at the WR option as drafting your starter across JJ after this year. At this point I think the best option is to restructure and extend Hunter and draft his pass rush partner and possible replacement as the high paid pass rusher 5 years from now. I haven't watched a lot of film on the edge guys after the top two yet though. An outside the box option that will never happen is to trade O' Neil and draft another OT at 12 considering how a very good prospect might be on the board still. That will never happen though I'm just spit balling. I'd say unfortunately at this point the betting favorite is that we will draft a CB at 12.

[CharVike]

I think the 2nd and 3rd WR are generally schemed open in todays NFL and are not worthy of early round draft picks except for teams that are already really stacked at QB, OL, and pass rush. CBs are playing at such disadvantage that the shut down CB is no longer a part of the game. That being the case, almost no DB is worth drafting in the first round in the modern NFL.

Agree on the DB assessment. I've seen enough of them drafted high by us. I look at the WR option as drafting your starter across JJ after this year. At this point I think the best option is to restructure and extend Hunter and draft his pass rush partner and possible replacement as the high paid pass rusher 5 years from now. I haven't watched a lot of film on the edge guys after the top two yet though. An outside the box option that will never happen is to trade O' Neil and draft another OT at 12 considering how a very good prospect might be on the board still. That will never happen though I'm just spit balling. I'd say unfortunately at this point the betting favorite is that we will draft a CB at 12.

CBs are important and this modern NFL has been around for decades. Last year CBs were picked at 8,9,22,26 and 29. Of course you need to have pressure. That's always been key going back with us from the Page/Eller, Doleman/Millard and whoever else. At 12 we can pick anything and justify it. The key is getting the best player. IMO it all starts at the LOS. You need to win that battle or your chances of getting a win become very slim. We need a center and two guards and our LT is a question mark. Is he any good? Who knows. But at 12 I wouldn't use that pick on C or G. You need to try and fill the key positions first. The key positions fly off the board when a player is there. IMO they need to go pass rusher or cover guy. If a game breaker Ja'Marr Chase type WR is there then you can't skip that type of skill. That don't come around every year.

[IIsweet]

I like that the Bucs and Rams have won the last 2 SB and have shown that they have won with a dominant DL.
The Bucs also had a dominant OL where the Rams had a serviceable one. The Bengals were in the SB with a dominant DL also.
Yes the QB play has been stellar. KC has the best QB in the game, lost the SB as Mahomes' OL was bullied around.
You have to have great WR play imo also. Look at the WR for the last 2 SB. Godwin and Evans for TB, Hill Kelce(TE) for KC, Chase, Higgins, Boyd for Cincy, and Kupp and OBJ for LAR. 4 very talented QBs. A LOT of very talented WRs. Dominant DL.
TB, LAR, CIN, and KC all dominated in the middle of the DL with immovable objects and penetration.
KC and Cincy had horrible OL play and the Rams was not great.
So all of this to me says that to be in the game, you need that top QB, and elite interior DL, and a very productive receiving corps.

This QB draft class is not special to me. So I can see keeping Kirk, but we HAVE TO create a dominant DL. That may require trading him and accumulating draft picks. This DL group this year is great. Between the DT and the Edge rushers.
There is quality depth at the DB positions.
So we have to either get to the QB with our 1st pick, protect our QB with the first pick, or we add a special weapon to the arsenal.
Hard to stop a WR when the QB has time to let the athletes get open. So the top CB can be a wasted pick.

[CharVike]

I like that the Bucs and Rams have won the last 2 SB and have shown that they have won with a dominant DL.
The Bucs also had a dominant OL where the Rams had a serviceable one. The Bengals were in the SB with a dominant DL also.
Yes the QB play has been stellar. KC has the best QB in the game, lost the SB as Mahomes' OL was bullied around.
You have to have great WR play imo also. Look at the WR for the last 2 SB. Godwin and Evans for TB, Hill Kelce(TE) for KC, Chase, Higgins, Boyd for Cincy, and Kupp and OBJ for LAR. 4 very talented QBs. A LOT of very talented WRs. Dominant DL.
TB, LAR, CIN, and KC all dominated in the middle of the DL with immovable objects and penetration.
KC and Cincy had horrible OL play and the Rams was not great.
So all of this to me says that to be in the game, you need that top QB, and elite interior DL, and a very productive receiving corps.

This QB draft class is not special to me. So I can see keeping Kirk, but we HAVE TO create a dominant DL. That may require trading him and accumulating draft picks. This DL group this year is great. Between the DT and the Edge rushers.
There is quality depth at the DB positions.
So we have to either get to the QB with our 1st pick, protect our QB with the first pick, or we add a special weapon to the arsenal.
Hard to stop a WR when the QB has time to let the athletes get open. So the top CB can be a wasted pick.

The Rams and Bucs have some good secondary players also. Ramsey and Davis are both top shelf CBs. They don't have a bunch of Mack Alexanders on their teams. A guy like that can't even stay close to a WR. Not even a challenge for the opposing QB to thread the needle. But it always comes down to the LOS. That center the Bucs have is a beast. He's no cup cake. The guy is 6'4" 320 and nasty. I like size.

[VikingLord]

I'd say unfortunately at this point the betting favorite is that we will draft a CB at 12.

It's hard to say that would be a bad thing, though, at least objectively. Despite the past investment at CB in the draft, its a position of dire need on the team and the CB class this year is a pretty strong one, albeit kind of risky. Removing the specifics of the Vikings past and present from the equation and just talking about the likely talent available at #12, CB would near the top in terms of value IMHO.

Personally, I hope fortune favors the Vikings along the DL at #12, or, if they do gamble at QB there, the gamble ends up paying off ala what the Chiefs managed to do with Mahomes, but if they did take a swing at CB I would not be upset.

[JJBreaksRecords]

We are going to have to go BPA for the first few rounds. Then we will have to get CBs and Edge (if we havent gotten many in BPA). We just cant go CB in the first. Period.I bet there are some good 3rd and 4th rd CB and Edge in this draft. maybe get lucky with a center and RG. Maybe we can get rid of Kirk and Hunter, and have enough cap to get a great center and RG. But we just cant have Kirk on this team. We should have learned a lesson by now. Screw stats, we need WINS!