The Vikings will likely draft a wide receiver, but who?

[CbusVikesFan]

I think we could really use a legit #1 wide-out. (THANK YOU CAPT. OBVIOUS!) The question is are the Vikings going to risk another 1st rounder for one? Haven't had too much luck since Randy. We were spoiled for a long time.
It seems more likely with the FA moves made WR may be a top priority.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I really hope the Vikings draft a WR in round 3 or later.

I completely disagree. This WR class isn't that deep and if we wait until the 3rd or later, we're getting nothing but a developmental guy. I'm not sure how anyone can be set with this disgusting WR corps we currently have. Diggs is a good #2 and Wright is a good slot but Johnson couldn't hold a starting spot this year for the life of him. Patterson is nothing but a gadget player. And Thielen is nothing more than a special teamer.

We NEED a #1 WR. It is one of our biggest needs on this team.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I think we could really use a legit #1 wide-out. (THANK YOU CAPT. OBVIOUS!) The question is are the Vikings going to risk another 1st rounder for one? Haven't had too much luck since Randy. We were spoiled for a long time.
It seems more likely with the FA moves made WR may be a top priority.

Truthfully, I could care less about the past. Just because we've missed on WRs in the first before means we shouldn't take one if Doctson or Treadwell are sitting there? I sure hope we don't go into the draft thinking that.

[PurpleMustReign]

For the love of God, please not another Jim discussion. We know how each member feels about him at this point.

Lmfao!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Jordysghost]

This thread wins.

Honestly, I would probably rather have the top rated TE (Hunter Henry) in the draft more then any of the top rated WRs in it.

[Mothman]

Here's a link to a nice resource about WRs in this year's draft:

http://www.cleveland.com/nfl-draft/inde ... ece_1.html

[dead_poet]

That's more like it.

I'd like to know how the scouts perceive that "fall off" too because there doesn't exactly seem to be agreement about it. It looks to me like there's some good WR talent at the top and in the middle of this draft. for example, Rashard Higgins is an intriguing player:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/play ... rd-higgins

Higgins is a conundrum for me. I like some aspects of his game but there are some big limitations as well. I see him in the mold of Robert Woods with perhaps less upside. I'm not sure he has the ceiling of more than a "possession"-type #2 (or #3). Almost Sanu-like. And the whole "Hollywood" nickname thing doesn't appeal to me.

My preference outside the big names is Carroo (assuming the character thing checks out).

Here's a great resource for just about any comparison of the top draft-eligible receivers you can think of: http://www.thebackyardbanter.com/recept ... sults.html

Carroo scores average or better in most all categories. Has some Dez in him. Injuries and one off-field incident may cause him to tumble a bit to the 2-3 round range. I think he has some nice upside.

[losperros]

I completely disagree. This WR class isn't that deep and if we wait until the 3rd or later, we're getting nothing but a developmental guy. I'm not sure how anyone can be set with this disgusting WR corps we currently have. Diggs is a good #2 and Wright is a good slot but Johnson couldn't hold a starting spot this year for the life of him. Patterson is nothing but a gadget player. And Thielen is nothing more than a special teamer.

We NEED a #1 WR. It is one of our biggest needs on this team.

I like both Diggs and Wright a lot, so I probably see them in a better light than you. Johnson was hurt for a while but he was also underplayed last season. Not his fault. Johnson was darn good the year before. I believe Patterson to be a potential TD anytime he touches the ball, which makes him far more than a gadget player. Just my viewpoint on the WRs.

The Vikings won't have a #1 WR (regardless who they draft) until they clean up the OL. In fact, all their offensive skill players will play better if there is improved blocking up front. That's the biggest NEED. Also, Teddy needs to learn how to hit a receiver, any receiver, with a deep pass before that problem goes away. Turner needs to utilize players far more successfully, plus the predictable playcalling and sets (with loads of tells) badly need to be addressed. So I'm not in agreement that a #1 WR is one of the biggest needs on the team. Honestly, I don't know what a new WR would do for the team until all the other problems are solved.

[fiestavike]

I like both Diggs and Wright a lot, so I probably see them in a better light than you. Johnson was hurt for a while but he was also underplayed last season. Not his fault. Johnson was darn good the year before. I believe Patterson to be a potential TD anytime he touches the ball, which makes him far more than a gadget player. Just my viewpoint on the WRs.

The Vikings won't have a #1 WR (regardless who they draft) until they clean up the OL. In fact, all their offensive skill players will play better if there is improved blocking up front. That's the biggest NEED. Also, Teddy needs to learn how to hit a receiver, any receiver, with a deep pass before that problem goes away. Turner needs to utilize players far more successfully, plus the predictable playcalling and sets (with loads of tells) badly need to be addressed. So I'm not in agreement that a #1 WR is one of the biggest needs on the team. Honestly, I don't know what a new WR would do for the team until all the other problems are solved.

I'm not saying predictability doesn't matter, but if you are good enough at what you are doing, then predictability doesn't matter. I think every coach wants to get their team to the point that it simply doesn't matter if the other team knows what they are about to do, because they can't stop it anyway.

The Vikings are a long way from that, but wouldn't it be nice if they could get there...

And once you are there, that's when the unpredictable starts to yield massive results.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I completely disagree. This WR class isn't that deep and if we wait until the 3rd or later, we're getting nothing but a developmental guy. I'm not sure how anyone can be set with this disgusting WR corps we currently have. Diggs is a good #2 and Wright is a good slot but Johnson couldn't hold a starting spot this year for the life of him. Patterson is nothing but a gadget player. And Thielen is nothing more than a special teamer.

We NEED a #1 WR. It is one of our biggest needs on this team.

I disagree. We have needed a safety and Oline upgrade longer then the WR's. Mike Wallace was a bust, I dont want another FA bust. Diggs was a 5th rd. pick, maybe lightning with strike twice. And maybe Kyle can do more as a receiver instead of blocking. He's a darn good block, better then Kalil even.

[mansquatch]

I've observed that Spielman has tendency to flood a position of need with picks/signings until something sticks. Currently the OL seems to be receiving this treatment, and deservedly so. In light of that tendency it would be a complete surprise if they drafted OL early. (Especially a Tackle)

It seems like WR has been a never ending chronicle of enigma, hopes, and almosts since Harvin left for Seattle. We seem to have initially hit on Stefon Diggs, Jarius Wright has become a solid role player, and CP84 remains a giant question mark. We also found Charles Johnson on Cleveland's practice squad, but he has since becoming a missing man with the emergence of Diggs. We've spent a lot of cap space on Greg Jennings and Mike Wallce, both of whom are no longer on the team.

We've done well finding role players, but we've yet to find "That Guy" to be our #1.

My question though is why is WR such an enormous need? Essentially we are down one Mike Wallace vs. our squad last year and Wallace's production wise did not produce meaningful statistics. I could buy an argument that the "Threat" of Wallce impacted games, but I have to think that as the season wore on, that threat became less and less of a factor. I suspect CP84 or CJ could produce similar results if they inherit Wallace's snaps. Also, Rudolph not blocking as much should also provide bigger numbers. So to me, at least in terms of last season, the WR corps if not a push, isn't that big of a drop off. My estimate is that more or less it is a push.

Of course, there is the issue of our passing game being all together bad. So then the question seems to be, "Will adding a WR talent provide a lot of juice?" IMO, the answer is likely negative. I think a year 2 Diggs is going to provide more juices than a Rookie at our pick in round 1. If there is a talent at our pick at WR then I would be fine going for it, but we are picking in the 20s and it is rather rare than you get a Randy Moss type situation when drafting down there. The big time WR talents typically go early, even if they are unreliable. (Looking at you Justin Blackmon)

For these reasons, my preference is that they go BPA.

[Mothman]

I've observed that Spielman has tendency to flood a position of need with picks/signings until something sticks. Currently the OL seems to be receiving this treatment, and deservedly so. In light of that tendency it would be a complete surprise if they drafted OL early. (Especially a Tackle)

It seems like WR has been a never ending chronicle of enigma, hopes, and almosts since Harvin left for Seattle. We seem to have initially hit on Stefon Diggs, Jarius Wright has become a solid role player, and CP84 remains a giant question mark. We also found Charles Johnson on Cleveland's practice squad, but he has since becoming a missing man with the emergence of Diggs. We've spent a lot of cap space on Greg Jennings and Mike Wallce, both of whom are no longer on the team.

We've done well finding role players, but we've yet to find "That Guy" to be our #1.

My question though is why is WR such an enormous need? Essentially we are down one Mike Wallace vs. our squad last year and Wallace's production wise did not produce meaningful statistics. I could buy an argument that the "Threat" of Wallce impacted games, but I have to think that as the season wore on, that threat became less and less of a factor. I suspect CP84 or CJ could produce similar results if they inherit Wallace's snaps. Also, Rudolph not blocking as much should also provide bigger numbers. So to me, at least in terms of last season, the WR corps if not a push, isn't that big of a drop off. My estimate is that more or less it is a push.

Of course, there is the issue of our passing game being all together bad.

Bingo! They need to field a better passing game than they did last season.

So then the question seems to be, "Will adding a WR talent provide a lot of juice?" IMO, the answer is likely negative. I think a year 2 Diggs is going to provide more juices than a Rookie at our pick in round 1. If there is a talent at our pick at WR then I would be fine going for it, but we are picking in the 20s and it is rather rare than you get a Randy Moss type situation when drafting down there. The big time WR talents typically go early, even if they are unreliable. (Looking at you Justin Blackmon)

For these reasons, my preference is that they go BPA.

Adding WR talent doesn't necessarily mean "adding WR talent in the first round" but if they're not going to make better, more extensive use of Patterson they definitely need to add more talent at the position (and they may need to anyway). It may not provide a lot of "juice" on paper, when viewed as an isolated move, but they need to get more out of their passing game. They aren't going to change the QB so Bridgewater has to play better and they need to upgrade around him. They've made changes on the OL and hopefully, there are more to come. That's probably where they can create the biggest improvement but WR is clearly another area where they need more plays made and more playmaking ability. Diggs got off to a great 4 game start that fans over the moon but his production the rest of the season was pretty pedestrian.

i don't think there's a "must take" position for the Vikings in R1 but there are several areas of the team that clearly need improvement and WR definitely falls into that category.

[Mothman]

Higgins is a conundrum for me. I like some aspects of his game but there are some big limitations as well. I see him in the mold of Robert Woods with perhaps less upside. I'm not sure he has the ceiling of more than a "possession"-type #2 (or #3). Almost Sanu-like. And the whole "Hollywood" nickname thing doesn't appeal to me.

My preference outside the big names is Carroo (assuming the character thing checks out).

He is an intriguing player but the nature of his character issue is enough to scare me off (not that it's my call!). I hope they steer clear of him. Nevertheless, he's another example that illustrates there is some good WR talent in this draft.

Here's a great resource for just about any comparison of the top draft-eligible receivers you can think of: http://www.thebackyardbanter.com/recept ... sults.html

Thanks.

[mondry]

Diggs came on to the scene in a huge way but as teams shifted coverage and adjusted more attention to him no one else was able to step up with the extra space. It's hard to say who's at fault there, Rudolph had to stay in and block, Wallace one thing he was good at was a low % play with Teddy for most of the season, Norv had to be fairly conservative to avoid negative plays, etc.

In that sense I think a new WR whether 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or later could have a fairly high impact. Someone that has to be accounted for if other teams are selling out on AD and Diggs. Patterson fits the mold perfectly as another guy you simply can't ignore even if he's only catching a -2 yard bubble screen so it'd be nice if that situation improves with him but we all know at this point how that looks.

Of course the WR should match up with what Teddy does better so I don't see a speedy "go deep" kind of guy working out like a Fuller. Doctson of course probably makes the most sense, we need a bigger, reliable, sure handed, good route running, target for Teddy, he doesn't need to be fast, I prefer guys that are agile / quick first step / explosive and combined with good breaks out of good route running that's how they get separation. I like Shepard in that regard, though he's not big. I feel like if he was he'd probably be a first round pick / total package. But I see him as a slot guy very similar to Wright so it may not make sense to go that route.

Will have to do more research on the other guys, too busy lately!

[dead_poet]

He is an intriguing player but the nature of his character issue is enough to scare me off (not that it's my call!). I hope they steer clear of him. Nevertheless, he's another example that illustrates there is some good WR talent in this draft.
Thanks.

Re: Carroo: http://www.app.com/story/sports/college ... /79679222/

If true, he seems to have a clear character.