this is awesome. USC just brought in blind long snapper jake olson for the extra point
 https://t.co/L0z7z6Inv8

There has never been better proof of the NFL Draft’s randomness than the 2016 and 2017 Minnesota Vikings’ draft classes. While the ’16 class added almost no value to the team, the ’17 group has a chance to play a huge role this season.
With training camp, preseason and final cuts wrapped up, let’s have a look at what we know about the 2017 draft class:

Potential impact players in 2017RB, Dalvin Cook 
Heading into the season, Cook looks like an A+ pick. From the moment he stepped on the field at camp, the former Florida State star impressed the Vikings, grasping the offense quickly and showing that his patient and explosive running style can quickly translate to the highest level. Not only did he win the RB1 job, but Cook has looked like he could become the centerpiece of the offense. You can’t do better than that in the second round.
C, Pat Elflein
DT, Jaleel Johnson 

LB, Ben Gedeon

Potential future starters  

G, Danny Isidora
When Joe Berger retires, there’s a good chance Isidora will take his place. A fifth-round pick from Miami, Isidora impressed head coach Mike Zimmer right away in OTAs and showed strong mobility and power. Isidora’s strong play was part of the equation that allowed the Vikings to cut Alex Boone.
WR, Rodney Adams
WR, Stacy Coley

Most disappointing

TE, Bucky Hodges
You can’t fault the Vikings for picking Hodges. At 6-foot-6 and with a 4.57 40-yard dash, it’s easily worth sixth-round pick for a player with his physical attributes and impressive college career. However, Hodges’ game speed wasn’t like his NFL Combine speed. He wasn’t often open when running routes in the middle of the field and had almost no previous experience blocking. The Vikings may eventually add him to the practice squad, leaving the door open to development. But it doesn’t appear he will have any type of role this year, which is somewhat disappointing for a team that could use a vertical-threat tight end.
LB, Elijah Lee 
(The other two picks Ifeadi Odenigbo and Jack Tocho were long shots from the start. Odenigbo had a good camp and landed on the PS).

Bottom line:To have two starters at major positions and potentially seven draft picks who could make anywhere from major to minor impact is a pretty impressive draft, especially without a first-round pick. At this point, the class deserves an A.
Of course, we can’t really know for several years whether a draft class was a success or failure. Maybe 2016’s class will turn it around this year. But right now, the ’17s look as strong as anyone’s in the NFL.
Full article link:  http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/0...ass-grade/

It didn’t take TJ Clemmings or Willie Beavers long to find work after being released Saturday afternoon by the Minnesota Vikings. Washington signed Clemmings on Sunday and Beavers inked a deal with the New England Patriots Monday afternoon.
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/0...s-beavers/

Kyle Sloter had a job offer last January from Ashford Advisors in his hometown of Atlanta and was ready to enter the world of finance.
Sloter had played just one season as a college quarterback, and NFL scouts weren’t exactly gushing about his future. So, even after throwing for 29 touchdowns and 2,656 yards in 2016 for Northern Colorado, Sloter was prepared to move on from football.
“I figured I was going to be a financial adviser,’’ Sloter told the Pioneer Press. “In my mind, I’m thinking, NFL teams aren’t going to be interested in a guy with only 10 college starts at quarterback.”
Sloter said Ashford Advisors officials encouraged him to “chase your dream.” Good advice.
Sloter agreed to terms Sunday and was signed Monday to the Vikings’ practice squad after they won a bidding war with Atlanta, Philadelphia, Washington and Denver. The Vikings will pay him $20,000 a week, nearly three times the practice-squad minimum of $7,200, and he will practice behind starter Sam Bradford and backup Case Keenum.
http://www.twincities.com/2017/09/04/vik...-football/

Not sure that's an easy bet given what we've seen pre-season. 

Pack favored by 3 over Seahawks at Lamblow...National 3:00 game on Sunday. 

https://sports.bovada.lv/football/nfl/ga...rket-group

We published this in 2013, right after Josh Freeman's disaster-laiden start vs the NY Giants.

Check this out:

Not that he wasn't an excellent prospect, but that he would be such a strong one that the Vikings would keep him on the active roster. Amazing for an UDFA with so little actual college playing time. Hunter recruited him to sign a contract in Minnesota and now he's on the active roster. Crazy rare. 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/b...id=2552478

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/27036...-nfl-draft

Deserved its own thread...one to watch...