Chase Claypool

1. We absolutely should have drafted Jameson Williams.

2. Claypool… idk. Thielen and KJ are better than him aren’t they? So if that’s the case then what are we doing here?

The offense could use a boost I agree, I just don’t see how adding another B level WR is going to really help matters. 

Interesting. I've heard Jeudy's name thrown around, but I'd bet it'd cost at least a 2nd for him and there seems to be quite a number of teams looking at him.

Claypool had a pretty good rookie year but hasn't done much since. Maybe some stability at QB and a new environment would do him well. 

Big kid, still young. 

Thielen and Osborn aren't getting the separation. Need to go younger but what can the Vikings trade and also lack of cap space. 

I guess McCardell's whole "draft another position" statement/assesment prior to the draft really hasn't panned out that way as this is now potentially the second WR added via trade after the start of the season. Instead of Lewis Cine running fourth on the safery depth chart before his potentially career ending injury, we could have had Williams getting ready to come back for the stretch run at a seemingly still evolving WR group. 

I hope it happens. Not sure what we'd do with him, but George Pickens is on my fantasy team. :-)

Claypool is 6'4 238lbs which is 20lbs more than Mike Williams.  His Cap hit is only about 2 million this year and next still on rookie deal like Jeudy.  
His stats coincide with who his QB has been.

I like him a lot and this would have the benefit of keeping him off of the Packers.

The Viking rumor for a WR persist despite my thought of Defensive help first. 

So of the WR's rumored who do you want to keep away from Rodgers?  Jeudy, Claypool, Cooks....... 

OH and what do we have to give up draft pick wise?  We don't have our 4th or 6th, so we are probably looking at giving up our 3rd rounder plus some?

@"minny65" said: Claypool is 6'4 238lbs which is 20lbs more than Mike Williams.  His Cap hit is only about 2 million this year and next still on rookie deal like Jeudy.   His stats coincide with who his QB has been.

I like him a lot and this would have the benefit of keeping him off of the Packers.

The Viking rumor for a WR persist despite my thought of Defensive help first. 

So of the WR's rumored who do you want to keep away from Rodgers?  Jeudy, Claypool, Cooks....... 

Who would I fear most in Green Bay? I think Claypool would be last on that list. Ya still gotta figure out what to do with him. So probably Cooks. Jeudy is a great route runner, which would probably appeal most to Angry Rodgers, if he has a say. But I'm still not convinced the Donkeys are in sell mode. Yet. If they lose this week though? I can see it. 

Kinda of followed Claypool the last couple of years and he has a lot of talent, but always seems to make some bonehead play that snatches defeat out of the jaws of victory. Taunting/personal foul, dropped balls, blown routes and it just appears to me to be at the worst possible times.  Now if you were talking about Les Claypool, I would be all in.
https://youtu.be/w_8NtbKsYuA

@"Vikergirl" said: Thielen and Osborn aren't getting the separation. Need to go younger but what can the Vikings trade and also lack of cap space. 

Here are what the most talked about available guys average; Claypool 1.43, Cooks 1.68, Jeudy 1.28, DJ Moore 1.48, Elijah Moore 1.90, Golladay 1.0, Callaway 1.09, Green 1.23, Hamler 1.64, Bourne 2.79 (on 11 catches). Side not OBJ averaged 1.63 in 2021.

JMO, the issue is targets. Jefferson is averaging nearly 11 a game. Meanwhile Thielen 7.2, Osborne 4.3. Get those two more attempts and I think you see increased production. If we make a trade and the new guy isn't targeted any more than the current guys what's the point?

With the issues on defense I hate the idea of giving up capital on WR when there are several more obvious needs and no needle mover that's a realistic get at WR

Might be worth doing just to see Aaron Rodgers totally freakout when his team does nothing.

The Steelers should be doing a little fire sale because they won't win games starting Pickett this year. 

@"bigbone62" said:

@"Vikergirl" said: Thielen and Osborn aren't getting the separation. Need to go younger but what can the Vikings trade and also lack of cap space. 

If separation is the concern not many "proven" guys stand out as noticeably  better. At least not better enough that giving up assets is cost effective.Thielen averages 1.4 yards of separation, Osborne 1.5. Neither of which is terrible for 2nd/3rd options. Especially when you have a Jefferson as the clear focus.

Here are what the most talked about available guys average; Claypool 1.43, Cooks 1.68, Jeudy 1.28, DJ Moore 1.48, Elijah Moore 1.90, Golladay 1.0, Callaway 1.09, Green 1.23, Hamler 1.64, Bourne 2.79 (on 11 catches). Side not OBJ averaged 1.63 in 2021.

JMO, the issue is targets. Jefferson is averaging nearly 11 a game. Meanwhile Thielen 7.2, Osborne 4.3. Get those two more attempts and I think you see increased production. If we make a trade and the new guy isn't targeted any more than the current guys what's the point?

With the issues on defense I hate the idea of giving up capital on WR when there are several more obvious needs and no needle mover that's a realistic get at WR

@"supafreak84" said: I guess McCardell's whole "draft another position" statement/assesment prior to the draft really hasn't panned out that way as this is now potentially the second WR added via trade after the start of the season. Instead of Lewis Cine running fourth on the safery depth chart before his potentially career ending injury, we could have had Williams getting ready to come back for the stretch run at a seemingly still evolving WR group. 

Surprising there is so much talk about WR and not much at all regarding defense. 

I have serious doubts that Denver moves Jeudy...  Like you trade for Wilson and then trade away one of his young weapons halfway through the season? Doesn't make sense to me...

If the Vikings really want a field stretcher, we should be asking for KJ Hamler instead...  He's got speed to burn, isn't super happy in Denver since Wilson has missed him wide open a few times in critical situations, and he'd be much cheaper to acquire than Jeudy.

As far as Claypool, despite his size and speed...  He isn't used as a field stretcher.  He's more a big target where you design ways to get him the ball where he can catch and run.  Her sweeps, screens, crossers, etc...  A lot of the same ways we use our current group.

If we don't make a move, I'd almost rather see Thielen in the slot more and KJ used vertically on the outside.  He's made some big plays down field last year and had the long TD catch against Detroit for the win.  Think we need to see more of that since I think it would suit Thielen better (possession WR role with his hands and route running) and give KJ more high value opportunities to make plays downfield.

Just my ramblings on the topic...

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I guess McCardell's whole "draft another position" statement/assesment prior to the draft really hasn't panned out that way as this is now potentially the second WR added via trade after the start of the season. Instead of Lewis Cine running fourth on the safery depth chart before his potentially career ending injury, we could have had Williams getting ready to come back for the stretch run at a seemingly still evolving WR group. 

If Williams makes a meaningful contribution at all this year, I'll be surprised. 

@"bigbone62" said:

@"Vikergirl" said: Thielen and Osborn aren't getting the separation. Need to go younger but what can the Vikings trade and also lack of cap space. 

If separation is the concern not many "proven" guys stand out as noticeably  better. At least not better enough that giving up assets is cost effective.Thielen averages 1.4 yards of separation, Osborne 1.5. Neither of which is terrible for 2nd/3rd options. Especially when you have a Jefferson as the clear focus.

Here are what the most talked about available guys average; Claypool 1.43, Cooks 1.68, Jeudy 1.28, DJ Moore 1.48, Elijah Moore 1.90, Golladay 1.0, Callaway 1.09, Green 1.23, Hamler 1.64, Bourne 2.79 (on 11 catches). Side not OBJ averaged 1.63 in 2021.
Nd 
JMO, the issue is targets. Jefferson is averaging nearly 11 a game. Meanwhile Thielen 7.2, Osborne 4.3. Get those two more attempts and I think you see increased production. If we make a trade and the new guy isn't targeted any more than the current guys what's the point?

With the issues on defense I hate the idea of giving up capital on WR when there are several more obvious needs and no needle mover that's a realistic get at WR

@"Havoc1649" said:

@"bigbone62" said:

@"Vikergirl" said: Thielen and Osborn aren't getting the separation. Need to go younger but what can the Vikings trade and also lack of cap space. 

If separation is the concern not many "proven" guys stand out as noticeably  better. At least not better enough that giving up assets is cost effective.Thielen averages 1.4 yards of separation, Osborne 1.5. Neither of which is terrible for 2nd/3rd options. Especially when you have a Jefferson as the clear focus.

Here are what the most talked about available guys average; Claypool 1.43, Cooks 1.68, Jeudy 1.28, DJ Moore 1.48, Elijah Moore 1.90, Golladay 1.0, Callaway 1.09, Green 1.23, Hamler 1.64, Bourne 2.79 (on 11 catches). Side not OBJ averaged 1.63 in 2021.
Nd 
JMO, the issue is targets. Jefferson is averaging nearly 11 a game. Meanwhile Thielen 7.2, Osborne 4.3. Get those two more attempts and I think you see increased production. If we make a trade and the new guy isn't targeted any more than the current guys what's the point?

With the issues on defense I hate the idea of giving up capital on WR when there are several more obvious needs and no needle mover that's a realistic get at WR

Great post. I’m wondering if you know what the target separation is for man coverage? It seems like defenses are running a lot of man against Thielen and Osborn. It may just be me, but it seems that way. I’m curious if that shows any anomalies. Thielen seems pretty well covered in man this year, unlike earlier years where he was very difficult to man up.

He is bigger than Irv Smith, if we got him, I wonder if he would take some of those reps and keep Thielen and Osborne on the field as well.  

I am also so really surprised at all the WR talk, when DL is our by far our biggest area of need.  TE is as well, so this would make more sense if they see him able to play that role.

Having an inexperienced GM really hurt us in the draft, this class definitely did not move the needle.