Random Draft Thoughts

[purplefaithful]

I just think if OConnell is going down, he's not going down with his side of the ball struggling like they did last season which further leads me to believe (especially with him now in control) that the pick is likely going to be a playmaker on offense

I think you are wrongly minimizing the influence of BFlo...

I think they'll add a RB and maybe a WR at some point..But that D needs some serious replenishment!

[StickierBuns]

I just think if OConnell is going down, he's not going down with his side of the ball struggling like they did last season which further leads me to believe (especially with him now in control) that the pick is likely going to be a playmaker on offense

Well the thing is if KOC is trying to coach now to 'save his job' as you've mentioned, that's directly aligned with winning football games. There's no more room for playmakers on offense other than RB...and that dude is still going to get limited reps behind AJ and Mason. At least for half the season at least or outside injuries. How many catches does WR3 get anyway? I mean outside a suspension or injury from either WR1 or WR2? Not many. An impact player is definitely most likely to come for the defense in earlier rounds. 

If you want to say KOC is messing up the future for QB1, ok at least you can argue it. But saying he's trying to improve the offense, especially QB, to 'save his job'.... that's what the other 31 head coaches are doing as well.

[supafreak84]

Well the thing is if KOC is trying to coach now to 'save his job' as you've mentioned, that's directly aligned with winning football games. There's no more room for playmakers on offense other than RB...and that dude is still going to get limited reps behind AJ and Mason. At least for half the season at least or outside injuries. How many catches does WR3 get anyway? I mean outside a suspension or injury from either WR1 or WR2? Not many. An impact player is definitely most likely to come for the defense in earlier rounds. 

If you want to say KOC is messing up the future for QB1, ok at least you can argue it. But saying he's trying to improve the offense, especially QB, to 'save his job'.... that's what the other 31 head coaches are doing as well.

What do you mean there's no more room? The Vikings have run more multiple WR sets than almost any team in the league under OConnell, and you heard it in his season ending presser, he wants to get back to running what he wants to run and bringing the big play back to the passing game. You need someone to replace the production of Nailor and it absolves the front office of having to make an immediate decision on Addison and can let things play out. How do they feel about Tai Felton at this point? That's anybody guess, but I can't see them passing on a blue-chip receiver in the draft because they took a late 3rd round flyer on Tai Felton and his whopping 3 catches for 25 yards last season.

[StickierBuns]

What do you mean there's no more room? The Vikings have run more multiple WR sets than almost any team in the league under OConnell, and you heard it in his season ending presser, he wants to get back to running what he wants to run and bringing the big play back to the passing game. You need someone to replace the production of Nailor and it absolves the front office of having to make an immediate decision on Addison and can let things play out. How do they feel about Tai Felton at this point? That's anybody guess, but I can't see them passing on a blue-chip receiver in the draft because they took a late 3rd round flyer on Tai Felton and his whopping 3 catches for 25 yards last season.

No way Minnesota takes a WRer before the 3rd round. No way, not if they keep Addison. If you are saying that taking a guy in round 3 at WRer is 'blue chip', then yeah I guess that could happen. But to me that isn't blue-chip or anything close to it. And I expect Tai Felton to definitely be in play at WR3, at least pushing hard for decent reps. They aren't going to waste any draft capital in round 1 or 2 on it. Hell, they still might sign a vet for WR3 to flush things out. And BTW: Jalen Nailor had 3 catches for 29 yards his rookie year, so.....not sure that means much. And he also had some injuries...until he didnt. Which usually around here gets you the 'injury prone' label.

[purplefaithful]

No way Minnesota takes a WRer before the 3rd round. No way, not if they keep Addison. If you are saying that taking a guy in round 3 at WRer is 'blue chip', then yeah I guess that could happen. But to me that isn't blue-chip or anything close to it. And I expect Tai Felton to definitely be in play at WR3, at least pushing hard for decent reps. They aren't going to waste any draft capital in round 1 or 2 on it. Hell, they still might sign a vet for WR3 to flush things out. And BTW: Jalen Nailor had 3 catches for 29 yards his rookie year, so.....not sure that means much. And he also had some injuries...until he didnt. Which usually around here gets you the 'injury prone' label.

Funny how those nagging year on year injuries just kinda fade away on contract years...

[StickierBuns]

Funny how those nagging year on year injuries just kinda fade away on contract years...

Or...sometimes fans just jump the gun and label a player prematurely out of frustration.

[MaroonBells]

No way Minnesota takes a WRer before the 3rd round. No way. If you are saying that taking a guy in round 3 at WRer is 'blue chip', then yeah I guess that might happen. But to me that isn't blue-chip or anything close to it. And I expect Tai Felton to definitely be in play at WR3, at least pushing hard for decent reps. They aren't going to waste any draft capital in round 1 or 2 on it. Hell, they still might sign a vet for WR3 to flush things out. And BTW: Jalen Nailor had 3 catches for 29 yards his rookie year, so.....not sure that means much. And he also had some injuries...until he didnt.

Although I've learned to never say "no way" about anything when it comes to the draft, I agree that it's hard to see a WR in the first two rounds. They drafted Tai Felton for a reason and no one should be holding his three catches against him when he had Jefferson, Addison, Nailor and Thielen ahead of him. 

Still, as fans, we have no clue what to expect from him, and so I think bringing in someone who is legitimate competition is likely. As you say, that could be an aging veteran or that could be a draft pick. But unless the Vikings do not plan to extend Addison (and I think they do), then I think that player can be found in rounds 3-5. 

You could say, wouldn't it be sexy to add WR Chris Bell in the 2nd round. Sure would, but you also have to think of the players we're passing over. Likely starters at DT, S, RB or C, while the WR, no matter who it is, will be WR3 at best.

[JimmyinSD]

Although I've learned to never say "no way" about anything when it comes to the draft, I agree that it's hard to see a WR in the first two rounds. They drafted Tai Felton for a reason and no one should be holding his three catches against him when he had Jefferson, Addison, Nailor and Thielen ahead of him. 

Still, as fans, we have no clue what to expect from him, and so I think bringing in someone who is legitimate competition is likely. As you say, that could be an aging veteran or that could be a draft pick. But unless the Vikings do not plan to extend Addison (and I think they do), then I think that player can be found in rounds 3-5. 

You could say, wouldn't it be sexy to add WR Chris Bell in the 2nd round. Sure would, but you also have to think of the players we're passing over. Likely starters at DT, S, RB or C, while the WR, no matter who it is, will be WR3 at best.

but,  look at what another young WR emerging does for the team,  it allows them to get rid of JA either via trade next year, or letting him walk in FA after 27 for the comp pick,  which clears up the "will he wont he" constant question on JA's off field shit,  and likely frees up about 25 in future annual cap space.   I agree with you on the premise of it being unlikely, but I dont think the notion is as crazy as I did a few months ago.

[supafreak84]

No way Minnesota takes a WRer before the 3rd round. No way, not if they keep Addison. If you are saying that taking a guy in round 3 at WRer is 'blue chip', then yeah I guess that could happen. But to me that isn't blue-chip or anything close to it. And I expect Tai Felton to definitely be in play at WR3, at least pushing hard for decent reps. They aren't going to waste any draft capital in round 1 or 2 on it. Hell, they still might sign a vet for WR3 to flush things out. And BTW: Jalen Nailor had 3 catches for 29 yards his rookie year, so.....not sure that means much. And he also had some injuries...until he didnt. Which usually around here gets you the 'injury prone' label.

I think you'll be surprised

[StickierBuns]

I think you'll be surprised

Possibly....but odds are much better you'll be the one surprised.