Vikings Message Board.Com

VikingLord wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 4:06 pm

IIsweet wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 3:07 pm 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.

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.

IIsweet wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 3:07 pm 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.

psjordan wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 8:53 am

IIsweet wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 3:07 pm 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!

StpViking wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 10:40 am 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.

VikingLord wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 8:46 pm

StpViking wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 10:40 am 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.

VikingLord wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 8:46 pm

StpViking wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 10:40 am 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.

J. Kapp 11 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 5:36 pm

VikingLord wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 4:06 pm

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.

Maelstrom88 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 26, 2022 4:19 pm

J. Kapp 11 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 5:36 pm
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.

fiestavike wrote: ↑Sat Feb 26, 2022 5:33 pm

Maelstrom88 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 26, 2022 4:19 pm

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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 26, 2022 6:09 pm

fiestavike wrote: ↑Sat Feb 26, 2022 5:33 pm

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.

IIsweet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 10:59 am 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.

Maelstrom88 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 26, 2022 6:09 pm I'd say unfortunately at this point the betting favorite is that we will draft a CB at 12.