Vikings Message Board.Com

Mothman wrote:http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post ... raft-class

Following the debate here on Spielman's accountability, in specific to the tackle position...the point to me isn't the fact that they did not cut Kalil before his contract was up...the point was that they never EVER brought in any serious competition or depth at the position, especially after watching kalil struggle with nagging injuries.
Guys like Beavers and Clemmings are questionable in terms of even donning an NFL uniform, much less being the first level of depth when the injuries take place. This is piss poor management IMO and not even worth a debate.
They pulled the same crap at the QB position for a decade...and it looks like they are going that way again there. Although Keenam does represent some thought and effort toward QB, so perhaps I am off base there.
The above comment by Goessling illustrates a major major flaw in the way Spielman has built this team. Even after watching the horror of Clemmings/Beavers last season, they are once again one injury away from one of those guys starting.

On a positive note: the combination of Schurmur and Bradford will make it loads easier on the line to begin with...especially with Murray/McKinnon/Cook toting the rock and serving as outlet receivers.

Wasn't a fan of Gedeon pick, I'd prefer Nathan Peterman but I guess they're content with Keenum and Heinicke while TBs future is in flux. Honestly it's unlikely anyone taken after the 4th was likely to be an upgrade over Keenum. Certainly not Kaaya.

PFF actually had Isidora and Hodges in their top 100. May have good value there. Adams is a kick returner and maybe a guy that can compete with Wright.

Coming in, I think their biggest needs were G, RB, and DT. They filled those with some solid picks. I still don't know that I take Johnson over Dede Westbrook but it is what it is. Tackle would have been nice but this was a historically bad class. Safety was a deep class so a little bummed we didn't come away with one.

All in all, initial impression is to give this draft a B grade. Rick got a bit overzealous with the trading but in a draft that had a lot of guys graded pretty close plus the need for some big contract editions coming up, I get it.

Here come the grades




BR:Vikings Draft Picks 2017: Results, Grades and Analysis for Each Selection

Vikings Cumulative Draft Grade: A

SBNation:NFL draft grades 2017: Which teams won the draft?

Minnesota Vikings
Without a first-round pick, the Vikings were put in a tough spot in the draft this year. They still managed to get first-round value in running back Dalvin Cook. I think he can be a star in the NFL, and trading a fourth-round pick to get him was worth it. On the field, he’s a playmaker who runs with speed, shiftiness, and enough power.

The Vikings needed help on the offensive line, and they got it in Ohio State’s Pat Elflein. Whether it’s guard or center, he’s a starter on the line. He’s a tough and instinctive blocker who could become one of the leaders on the team.

Fourth-round pick Jaleel Johnson is good insurance if there are issues with defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd. He’s a good run-stopper and can split a gap. Inside linebacker Ben Gedeon, at worst, is a solid depth addition. He could push for playing time on the weak side and on special teams. Fifth-round pick Danny Isidora of Miami provides good depth on the offensive line. Sixth-round pick Bucky Hodges was a nice addition as a movable weapon on offense.

Grade: A

SI:2017 NFL draft grades: Final analysis of all 32 teams

Minnesota Vikings: B+
The Vikings did not own a first-round pick because of the Sam Bradford trade. Things worked out anyway: In Round 2, they landed a Round 1 talent (RB Dalvin Cook); in Round 3, they landed a Round 2 talent (G/C Pat Elflein). Cook has the upside of a star back in the NFL, despite what his lackluster testing numbers showed. Together, he and Latavius Murray should be able to kickstart the run game. Elflein helps there, too—he’s a plug-and-play starter for the interior. DT Jaleel Johnson (No. 109) is a big-bodied penetrator, and he’ll benefit from playing under Mike Zimmer. The Vikings took some shots from there: hard-nosed LB Ben Gideon (No. 120), WR Rodney Adams (No. 170), TE Bucky Hodges (No. 201). The first two picks, though, all but made up for sitting out Round 1.

These are the UDFA pickups so far:

Tommy Armstrong, QB, Nebraska (Tryout, likely moving to WR)

Tashawn Bower, DE/OLB, Louisiana State

Dylan Bradley, DE, Southern Mississippi

Aviante Collins, OL, Texas Christian

Derrick Griffin, WR, Texas Southern (Tryout)

Wes Lunt, QB, Illinois

Terrell Newby, RB, Nebraska

Josiah Price, TE, Michigan State

Horace Richardson, CB, Southern Methodist

R.J. Shelton, WR, Michigan State

Eric Wilson, LB, Cincinnati

A brief take on each of the 11 players the Vikings drafted from Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press:

A look at the Vikings’ 2017 draft choices, all 11 of them

Mothman wrote:A brief take on each of the 11 players the Vikings drafted from Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press:

A look at the Vikings’ 2017 draft choices, all 11 of them

Very brief.
So, dede Westbrook was on the board when Johnson was drafted? I guess they thought that Johnson will have more of an impact for the Vikings. I might question that theory.

The big miss by Spielman of not drafting a Off Tackle should do him in. Rick it is NOT just a matter of getting and aquireing Talent, its about Developing talent. Guess what , you don't aquire a Off Tackle you surely are not gonna develop one. Biggest, I MEAN BIGGEST need gets unadressed. Bad Move Spielman, you need to go now. Pretty obvious you don't have a clue

I agree that they failed to adequately address our dearth of talent at the OT position. I felt fine with what we had done through our first three picks. From there, my satisfaction dipped considerably. Rick's penchant for trading seemed to overwhelm him, like a child amused by simple pleasures, and it resulted in a common gripe I've had for several years: an approach that favors quantity of players to quality. It reeks of a man who doesn't really know how to judge talent, IMO, so he covers up that inability by taking more shots, hoping to get lucky.

I think Cook, Eiflein, and Jaleel Johnson will all contribute. I hope Bucky Hodges, and maybe one or two of the rest of the low level picks pan out. I'm unenthused, especially, by the LBs chosen. I really wish we'd have taken some of the OL talent that was available in the third instead of stockpiling low level talent. We also failed to bring in sufficient competition for the K and P positions, IMO. I'll be interested to see if one of the WRs sticks.

Still being reactive instead of proactive. He should go to the Leroy Hoard school of drafting. Need 3 O-line men, I'll get you 3. Need 5, ill get you 3.

Here is your development OL signed as a College FA... Aviante Collins TCU


Overview

Collins' father, Bill, and brother, Lavon, have made their name as sprinters for TCU track and field. Aviante's (AH-vee-on) large frame, however, made him a better fit on the offensive line for the Horned Frogs. He became a starter immediately, playing in every game at right tackle (10 starts) and left tackle (three starts). His versatility showed again in 2013, as he played in 12 games, starting the first three games at left tackle and the final six on the right side. Collins' career took a dip, however, as he only suited up eight times as a junior (one start at left tackle), and then played in the first three games of the 2015 season before redshirting due to injury. He bounced back in his final year in Fort Worth, however, starting every game at right tackle.
Analysis
Strengths Comes from athletic bloodlines so his quickness and ease of movement should come as no surprise. Height and arm length are below average for tackle position. Has lateral quickness for reach blocks and has the feet to keep his block tied to inside shoulder on play-side blocks. Is diligent with his feet looking to work them into optimal position after initial contact as run blocker. Overcomes some of his power deficiency with footwork and body control. Has an accurate radar to strike a blow on open field targets when asked to pull. Able to mirror in pass sets and stay connected to defender. Plays with some edge in his game. Finishes his blocks and not afraid to get a little chippy with opponents.

Weaknesses Frame could use more mass and definition. Somewhat narrow through shoulders and hips and may not have the frame to carry desired weight. Pad level coming off the ball is a little too high. Needs to do a better job of bending his knees and looking to strike from a leveraged position on second level. Is a little light in the power department. Below average as base blocker. Fear of being overwhelmed by power leads to wide, bear-hugging hands. Lacks discipline in his pass sets and will cross feet over to chase edge rushers. May be zone-only fit.

Draft Projection Rounds 5-6
Bottom Line The more you watch of Collins, the more you like. His athleticism is the first thing you will notice, but his toughness and determination to stay tied to his blocks are what will start to win you over. Finding the right fit will be the problem. He lacks size and length as a tackle and his below average hand usage will get him in trouble against bull rushers if he moves to guard. Collins is a talented move blocker, but he may need a year or two to get stronger and to tighten up some technique issues.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/ ... id=2558251

Lars wrote:Here is your development OL signed as a College FA... Aviante Collins TCU


Overview

Collins' father, Bill, and brother, Lavon, have made their name as sprinters for TCU track and field. Aviante's (AH-vee-on) large frame, however, made him a better fit on the offensive line for the Horned Frogs. He became a starter immediately, playing in every game at right tackle (10 starts) and left tackle (three starts). His versatility showed again in 2013, as he played in 12 games, starting the first three games at left tackle and the final six on the right side. Collins' career took a dip, however, as he only suited up eight times as a junior (one start at left tackle), and then played in the first three games of the 2015 season before redshirting due to injury. He bounced back in his final year in Fort Worth, however, starting every game at right tackle.
Analysis
Strengths Comes from athletic bloodlines so his quickness and ease of movement should come as no surprise. Height and arm length are below average for tackle position. Has lateral quickness for reach blocks and has the feet to keep his block tied to inside shoulder on play-side blocks. Is diligent with his feet looking to work them into optimal position after initial contact as run blocker. Overcomes some of his power deficiency with footwork and body control. Has an accurate radar to strike a blow on open field targets when asked to pull. Able to mirror in pass sets and stay connected to defender. Plays with some edge in his game. Finishes his blocks and not afraid to get a little chippy with opponents.

Weaknesses Frame could use more mass and definition. Somewhat narrow through shoulders and hips and may not have the frame to carry desired weight. Pad level coming off the ball is a little too high. Needs to do a better job of bending his knees and looking to strike from a leveraged position on second level. Is a little light in the power department. Below average as base blocker. Fear of being overwhelmed by power leads to wide, bear-hugging hands. Lacks discipline in his pass sets and will cross feet over to chase edge rushers. May be zone-only fit.

Draft Projection Rounds 5-6
Bottom Line The more you watch of Collins, the more you like. His athleticism is the first thing you will notice, but his toughness and determination to stay tied to his blocks are what will start to win you over. Finding the right fit will be the problem. He lacks size and length as a tackle and his below average hand usage will get him in trouble against bull rushers if he moves to guard. Collins is a talented move blocker, but he may need a year or two to get stronger and to tighten up some technique issues.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/ ... id=2558251

I have season tickets for TCU football. I wish Aviante the best with the Vikes, but I was hoping for an investment of at least a 3rd round pick in an OT.

CbusVikesFan wrote:Still being reactive instead of proactive. He should go to the Leroy Hoard school of drafting. Need 3 O-line men, I'll get you 3. Need 5, ill get you 3.

Lol

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Kieper's grade:

Minnesota Vikings: B+

Top needs: Offensive tackle, defensive tackle, wide receiver
I think everyone who watched the Vikings last season knows their offensive line was a disaster. They addressed that need in free agency at a premium price with tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers, and getting Pat Elflein, my No. 1 center, at pick No. 70 was solid. I wonder if he could play guard next to Joe Berger, too. Dalvin Cook dropped a little throughout the pre-draft process, but he's a home run threat and will help out in the passing game, too. He had 40 total touchdowns over the past two seasons. Those are big shoes to fill to replace future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson, and the Vikings now have the trio of Cook, Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon fill that hole. The only quibble with these is that Minnesota traded up for both, though it did pick up another fourth-rounder with the Chiefs.

Jaleel Johnson, an interior pass-rusher, and inside linebacker Ben Gedeon were both value picks in the fourth round. I liked 6-foot-6 tight end Bucky Hodges in the sixth round as a pass-catcher with upside. Stacy Coley and Rodney Adams both ran 4.45 40s at the combine.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/mel-kipers ... 112467#MIN

HardcoreVikesFan wrote:We didn't draft a single tackle. Pretty typical, I don't know why I am even surprised. Not a single safety? Who gives a #### about depth there I guess. No quarterback - which is the typical ignorance and arrogance I have come to expect from this organization.

We traded back and STILL failed to draft Brad Kaaya and Zane Gonzalez - both players who we were targeting heavily.

Best Picks: Jaleel Johnson, Bucky Hodges, Elijah Lee

Worst Picks: Ben Gedeon, Rodney Adams, Stacy Coley

Dude we have Kearse, Harris and Exum as safety depth. Plus Newman can play there. That's the definition of depth. But continue on.....

To arbitrarily take a tackle because it's round x doesn't make sense to me. The skill simply wasn't there. Every team more or less validated this by the historic lack of line selections. Two in the first round, none in the first 20 picks. When has that ever happened? Never. 2 tackles in the first 5 picks is more commonplace. This seems to be glossed over by those upset with the draft. I mean, read the report on a guy like Davenport, he's a really big project. I'd prefer to take positions where there are depth and skill over shallow positions just because.

I can see a case made for not taking a S because it was a strong class.