What is next?

[VikingLord]

For starters I want to say the only way I see the Vikings acquiring a 2nd round pick is by trading down in the 1st. I doubt they would give up their extra 3rd & 4th round picks, just not Spielman's style. I would prefer they stand pat in the 1st. Given a likely run on QBs there should be a couple very good options available when they draft.

This might be a good draft to consider trading down in the 1st, though. Perhaps better than most drafts for the simple reason that the pandemic impacted the previous collegiate season and as a result a lot of players in this draft don't have recent extensive tape. Some have not played for over a year. That creates more uncertainty on one hand, and I also think it shifts the emphasis towards "potential" over "production" in this upcoming draft, especially towards the top of the draft where the Vikings are picking.

The net effect of this could be more competition for some teams to move up, especially into the top 10, to get a guy they fall in love with based on his potential. And that, as you note, is likely to cause some talent to fall, but not just to #14. I expect some talent at positions the Vikings have more immediate needs to fall into perhaps the 25-32 range, making one (or more) trade downs in Round 1 potentially lucrative for the Vikings. They could possibly get not only one 2nd rounder back in that process, but perhaps another one, plus more mid-round picks or future early rounds picks.

But more importantly, they could still get players that probably should have gone earlier at positions where those players have a real chance to get on the field early in their careers too.

I'm not saying Spielman should do that necessarily, but I think this draft offers perhaps more opportunities than a prior drafts to make moves down in Round 1 that could pay off nicely even as soon as this upcoming season.

Personally, I'm hoping the Vikings get one of Slater or Darrisaw in the first round. I know there are some DL prospects that get thrown around, but with Reiff leaving and the gaping hole the Vikings have at left guard, I don't think Spielman can afford to let a starting OL talent slip past him if it's there. The compensation for a trade back would have to be pretty compelling for that to happen.

[VikingTom]

For starters I want to say the only way I see the Vikings acquiring a 2nd round pick is by trading down in the 1st. I doubt they would give up their extra 3rd & 4th round picks, just not Spielman's style. I would prefer they stand pat in the 1st. Given a likely run on QBs there should be a couple very good options available when they draft.

This might be a good draft to consider trading down in the 1st, though. Perhaps better than most drafts for the simple reason that the pandemic impacted the previous collegiate season and as a result a lot of players in this draft don't have recent extensive tape. Some have not played for over a year. That creates more uncertainty on one hand, and I also think it shifts the emphasis towards "potential" over "production" in this upcoming draft, especially towards the top of the draft where the Vikings are picking.

Could well be correct on that. Moving down a bit and getting a 2nd round pick would not be a bad thing.


Personally, I'm hoping the Vikings get one of Slater or Darrisaw in the first round. I know there are some DL prospects that get thrown around, but with Reiff leaving and the gaping hole the Vikings have at left guard, I don't think Spielman can afford to let a starting OL talent slip past him if it's there. The compensation for a trade back would have to be pretty compelling for that to happen.

I keep looking at Darrisaw. He has some great pluses, but has also been noted to take plays off/be inconsistent. Concerns me a bit to see those comments in evaluations of him. Term I saw most often called him or boom or bust guy. Granted there are few guarantees in the draft, but does concern me when attitude/effort might be a problem

[VikingLord]

I keep looking at Darrisaw. He has some great pluses, but has also been noted to take plays off/be inconsistent. Concerns me a bit to see those comments in evaluations of him. Term I saw most often called him or boom or bust guy. Granted there are few guarantees in the draft, but does concern me when attitude/effort might be a problem

Agree with you on that point about Darrisaw, but if the main criticism about him is he lacks a mean streak (whatever that is), the question I have is when is it necessary for a OL to have a mean streak?

I also think there is a difference between a guy who truly checks out on plays versus a guy who maybe doesn't give 100% on every play, with the difference being the guy who checks out is not making any effort for whatever reason, while the guy who is not playing full speed might not need to play full speed because his competition doesn't make that necessary.

Also, Darrisaw played LT in college. I've yet to see a LT who can truly take plays off. I think most of the criticism I've seen about him have more to do with the fact that he didn't come out and look to bury every opponent because physically he's capable of it.

However, I add the caveat that just watching his play its impossible to tell if he's truly indifferent or just exerting the effort needed given his competition. Darrisaw is a guy I'd definitely want to interview if possible and probably talk to his college coaches as well to get a better sense before I spent a 1st rounder on him. If he's more a slacker, that probably won't cut the mustard in the NFL. If he's more of a guy who plays to the level his competition demands of him, then he should be fine as a pro once he adjusts to the speed and nature of the pro game as he's going to get consistently tested.

[Maelstrom88]

Apparently they're interested in Geno Atkins still.

https://mobile.twitter.com/SKORNorth/st ... 63649?s=20

[S197]

With SF trading up, it’s a near certainty the top 3 picks will be QBs. We could have someone unexpected drop to us. Hoping it’s Parsons but still seems unlikely.

The Dolphins made an absolute killing on the Tunsil trade.

[VikingLord]

With SF trading up, it’s a near certainty the top 3 picks will be QBs. We could have someone unexpected drop to us. Hoping it’s Parsons but still seems unlikely.

The Dolphins made an absolute killing on the Tunsil trade.

Assuming that the 49ers traded all that draft capital so they can draft a QB, they must really, really like a QB in this year's draft. More than likely, that QB has to be one of Fields, Lance or Jones because it's reasonable to assume Lawrence and Wilson are coming off the board 1-2. Smart money would go with it being Fields, but I could see them shock the world and take Jones there.

This is the kind of move that earns great praise and future success if you get it right, or great derision and future misery if you get it wrong. The 49ers technically don't need a QB. They made it to a Superbowl with Jimmy G. and know they can win with Jimmy G. He's under contract and has a no-trade clause, so there is no reason for them to panic regarding his contract situation or future status with the team. The 49ers don't need a QB.

This is a big cajones move. If they blow it, and I think there is a pretty good chance they will, it makes what Spielman and the Vikings have done at QB with Cousins look astute by comparison. Not in the short term, but in the longer term the 49ers gave up a lot to make a move they arguably didn't need to make and won't even have a shot at either of the consensus top QBs in this draft.

As you noted, the Dolphins are sitting pretty, especially if Tua is the real deal. They've got their franchise QB locked up on a rookie deal and now have substantial firepower to add immediate talent around him and they only moved back 3 spots in the process. They're still going to get the guy they probably wanted all along with their first pick and will likely get another very talented player with their 2nd pick in the 1st round, plus they've got some future ammo as well. Very nice moves on their part.

[Spot & Stalk Vike]

With SF trading up, it’s a near certainty the top 3 picks will be QBs. We could have someone unexpected drop to us. Hoping it’s Parsons but still seems unlikely.

The Dolphins made an absolute killing on the Tunsil trade.

I read an article the other day on CBS that projected 4 QB's taken in the first 8 picks.

If this speculation holds true 14 should have some nice value to pick from.

[CharVike]

With SF trading up, it’s a near certainty the top 3 picks will be QBs. We could have someone unexpected drop to us. Hoping it’s Parsons but still seems unlikely.

The Dolphins made an absolute killing on the Tunsil trade.

Assuming that the 49ers traded all that draft capital so they can draft a QB, they must really, really like a QB in this year's draft. More than likely, that QB has to be one of Fields, Lance or Jones because it's reasonable to assume Lawrence and Wilson are coming off the board 1-2. Smart money would go with it being Fields, but I could see them shock the world and take Jones there.

This is the kind of move that earns great praise and future success if you get it right, or great derision and future misery if you get it wrong. The 49ers technically don't need a QB. They made it to a Superbowl with Jimmy G. and know they can win with Jimmy G. He's under contract and has a no-trade clause, so there is no reason for them to panic regarding his contract situation or future status with the team. The 49ers don't need a QB.

This is a big cajones move. If they blow it, and I think there is a pretty good chance they will, it makes what Spielman and the Vikings have done at QB with Cousins look astute by comparison. Not in the short term, but in the longer term the 49ers gave up a lot to make a move they arguably didn't need to make and won't even have a shot at either of the consensus top QBs in this draft.

As you noted, the Dolphins are sitting pretty, especially if Tua is the real deal. They've got their franchise QB locked up on a rookie deal and now have substantial firepower to add immediate talent around him and they only moved back 3 spots in the process. They're still going to get the guy they probably wanted all along with their first pick and will likely get another very talented player with their 2nd pick in the 1st round, plus they've got some future ammo as well. Very nice moves on their part.

This is the same move I posted we needed to do. Move up for Jones. Jones is the guy IMO. The 49ers are in the same boat as us. Jimmy G Kirk C almost the same level. If the 49ers get the Rodgers level player they are in the playoffs the next 15 + years. The roster doesn't even matter. You can't beat that. Plus they have Jimmy G to trade. NFL needs QBs badly. Those picks will come back. If the guy they pick sucks well Jimmy G is still there. This is a nothing to lose deal. Perfect time to make this move. This draft is QB heavy. That doesn't happen very often. last time was 1983 IMO. They also had a pick spot that allowed the move. If they were picking higher they couldn't move. It took balls but the cost wasn't that bad and everything lined up. The 49ers didn't throw this rare opportunity down the toilet.

[CharVike]

Assuming that the 49ers traded all that draft capital so they can draft a QB, they must really, really like a QB in this year's draft. More than likely, that QB has to be one of Fields, Lance or Jones because it's reasonable to assume Lawrence and Wilson are coming off the board 1-2. Smart money would go with it being Fields, but I could see them shock the world and take Jones there.

This is the kind of move that earns great praise and future success if you get it right, or great derision and future misery if you get it wrong. The 49ers technically don't need a QB. They made it to a Superbowl with Jimmy G. and know they can win with Jimmy G. He's under contract and has a no-trade clause, so there is no reason for them to panic regarding his contract situation or future status with the team. The 49ers don't need a QB.

This is a big cajones move. If they blow it, and I think there is a pretty good chance they will, it makes what Spielman and the Vikings have done at QB with Cousins look astute by comparison. Not in the short term, but in the longer term the 49ers gave up a lot to make a move they arguably didn't need to make and won't even have a shot at either of the consensus top QBs in this draft.

As you noted, the Dolphins are sitting pretty, especially if Tua is the real deal. They've got their franchise QB locked up on a rookie deal and now have substantial firepower to add immediate talent around him and they only moved back 3 spots in the process. They're still going to get the guy they probably wanted all along with their first pick and will likely get another very talented player with their 2nd pick in the 1st round, plus they've got some future ammo as well. Very nice moves on their part.

This is the same move I posted we needed to do. Move up for Jones. Jones is the guy IMO. The 49ers are in the same boat as us. Jimmy G Kirk C almost the same level. If the 49ers get the Rodgers level player they are in the playoffs the next 15 + years. The roster doesn't even matter. You can't beat that. Plus they have Jimmy G to trade. NFL needs QBs badly. Those picks will come back. If the guy they pick sucks well Jimmy G is still there. This is a nothing to lose deal. Perfect time to make this move. This draft is QB heavy. That doesn't happen very often. last time was 1983 IMO. They also had a pick spot that allowed the move. If they were picking higher they couldn't move. It took balls but the cost wasn't that bad and everything lined up. The 49ers didn't throw this rare opportunity down the toilet.

From the Dolphins side it comes down to Tua. If he's that in the playoffs every year QB sure they are golden. If Tua is a stiff they screwed the pooch because they missed an opportunity at another QB. Those opportunities don't come around very often. Plus this years draft has a larger than normal group of talented QBs which doesn't happen very often. Yes they got 3 1st round picks. Not all 1st round slots have the same value. Apparently the org is sold on Tau and they should be he was pick no 5. The story will be told this year.

[RandyMoss84]

Not me, Zimmer would not know how to use Patterson wasting his talent

I'm not a Zimmer apologist, but let's be fair. I'm not sure how you can say Zimmer doesn't know how to use Patterson on offense when it doesn't appear that anybody really knows how to use him. Eight years in the league and four different teams, and he's still never been a starting WR. Is that Zimmer's fault? Not only that, Minnesota has actually gotten the most out of Patterson. He had 45 receptions in 2013 and 52 receptions in 2016, his two best seasons by a mile.

Just put him back there to return kickoffs. That's what he's good at, pretty much better than anyone in the NFL.

You can forget about Patterson being a Viking again, Patterson is going to sign with Falcons