Draft Day Discussion

[Cliff]

Anybody have anything in particular they want to happen or a player they hope the team targets? I honestly don't know enough about college teams to have much of an opinion and the team has put themselves in a pretty solid position to draft "best player available". I think the secondary probably needs the most help but DL, OL, and even RB could still be on the table.

Most mock drafts I have seen have them taking a safety or trading back with a couple of them having them drafting a DT.

I personally don't think they will trade out of the first round if they do make a trade. Maybe trade back to 30 with the Bills for a 4th rounder or something like that. I think it'll depend who is available at their pick when it gets that far.

[cogitator]

Most mock drafts I have seen have them taking a safety or trading back with a couple of them having them drafting a DT.

I personally don't think they will trade out of the first round if they do make a trade. Maybe trade back to 30 with the Bills for a 4th rounder or something like that. I think it'll depend who is available at their pick when it gets that far.

The draft chatter I've heard is that there are maybe 10 real first round talents, but then a couple of rounds with solid players who should be good enough to start, but not be stellar players. So maybe not much movement, no player left after the first bunch of picks that is going to be worth trading up for.

Given Harrison Smith's age, safety seems like a good pick if there is a good one available when the Vikes pick.

Heard this on the radio this morning and dug up the quote -

A number of NFL teams are reportedly evaluating prospects by whether they "love football" or not heading into Thursday's NFL draft.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported Wednesday that "most teams" he talked to have already taken prospects off their board because they don't love the game.

"This was the first year it was so prevalent," Glazer wrote. "I asked around why that is and the thought was because of NIL money, guys have already been paid and some feel they don't need to grind to get paid. So the guys who LOVE FOOTBALL are probably appreciated more."

[cogitator]

PS. This is non-Vikings speculation, but here in Denver I think I've heard as much talk about where Sheduer Sanders will be picked as who the Broncos will pick. Consensus for months has been he goes third, then just in the last few days people have started projecting him sliding down to 21, where the Steeler pick. Questions about arm strength, and maybe a somewhat entitled attitude. Anyway, something to watch if the draft is a little slow up to the Vikings pick.

[VikingsVictorious]

I just watched Draft Day for the first time. My Prediction if we stick and pick at 24 we take Colston Loveland. If Loveland is gone we go Harmon. If we trade Back Donovan Jackson.

[cogitator]

I just watched Draft Day for the first time. My Prediction if we stick and pick at 24 we take Colston Loveland. If Loveland is gone we go Harmon. If we trade Back Donovan Jackson.

The few mock drafts I've seen have Loveland going in the teens, but seems like that position is covered pretty well with Hockenson.

Do you mean the movie "Draft Day"? Kind of a dopey movie from what I remember of it.

[VikingLord]

I put the odds of KAM trading back at around 75% IF he moves no further than pick #42. He'll look to pick up an additional 3rd rounder or a 2026 2nd rounder in the deal. Who he'll take if he moves back depends on how far back he goes, but based on the way the draft is likely to go he'll have a shot at an IOL, DB or DL he probably likes.

If he stays put at #24 I'll be surprised if he doesn't go IOL given how heavily the Vikings are invested now in McCarthy. There should be at least one good IOL prospect on the board at 24, so it makes sense to me, especially given the depth of the class at safety, which seems to be the position du jour for the Vikings among the draft analyst class. Of course, it always depends, but I'd put the odds at IOL - 80%, DB - 10%, DL - 10%. I've seen some mocks with the Vikings taking a WR in the 1st. Unlikely, but that's another position where the talent might be too good to pass up.

I don't think there is any chance KAM trades up, so I won't discuss the options there.

Of the IOL, I'd like to see them take either Grey Zabel or Tyler Booker, with my preference being Zabel since he can play multiple OL positions.

Of the DBs, I'd be happy with Emmanwori or Starks if the Vikings go with a safety, with my preference being Starks as I think he's a better deep safety whereas I'm not sure I'd trust Emmanwori playing deep. If they go CB, I'd be very happy with Jahdae Barron or Benjamin Morrison. Some mocks have Will Campbell falling, but if he's falling there must be good reason and I think KAM would be wise to stay away.

Of the DL, I'd be OK with Kenneth Grant, but the guy I really like as a prospect is Alfred Collins. I don't know if I'd be OK with the Vikings using #24 on him, but as an interior DL he ticks all the boxes. Excellent, massive run defender who can develop into a pass rush factor helping to collapse the pocket consistently IMHO. He's just a big, powerful interior player who will affect the sorts of plays an OC can call. I'd like to think KAM can get this guy at #97 but I suspect he'll be long gone by then.

[VikingsVictorious]

I just watched Draft Day for the first time. My Prediction if we stick and pick at 24 we take Colston Loveland. If Loveland is gone we go Harmon. If we trade Back Donovan Jackson.

The few mock drafts I've seen have Loveland going in the teens, but seems like that position is covered pretty well with Hockenson.

Do you mean the movie "Draft Day"? Kind of a dopey movie from what I remember of it.

A very stupid movie, but as a draft nerd I enjoyed it.

[makila]

Think we draft a secondary player or trade down. Interior line being next likely.

[cogitator]

Loveland to the Bears. That's pretty high, plus we don't like seeing him go in the Vikings division.

[VikingsVictorious]

Will Johnson sliding down the board. Some injury concern if I understand it. Should we take him if we get the chance?

[Husker Vike]

I bet the Packers take Will Johnson, a lot of injury concerns

[makila]

OG Donovan Jackson

https://x.com/FieldYates/status/1915600 ... XLrPw&s=19

[VikingsVictorious]

OG Donovan Jackson

Yep. Mel got this right. I'm always a fan of drafting Offensive Linemen.

[Cliff]

Its nice to get a guy that can also slide over to left tackle. Darrisaw is great but he has missed some games every season.

[Pep2Moss]

you need to take that Giants deal if you are Minny sitting here with 4 picks for the entire draft, especially taking a guard,

He is a plug and play starter at left guard however.