NFL Draft Talk
Thought we could make a general draft discussion thread with the Combine approaching. Just a few pre combine thoughts I had while digging in on some early evaluations;
- There could be as many as 7 cornerbacks going in the 1st round. While I don't see any elite, Patrick Surtain type's, the position is deep and talented. I'd be pretty upset if the Vikings took a cornerback, but there will be some talented corners still on the board when our pick comes up.
- I absolutely love this group of linebackers. Drew Sanders, Noah Sewell, and the Simpson kid from Clemson all look like really good prospects who offer some scheme flexibility. Hicks won't be back for us and they still have a decision to make on Kendricks. It's possible all 3 of these guys are still on the board at #23 and would be really good picks.
- I've got Jalin Hyatt as my #1 WR in this class. He would be an absolute home run pick for us and give us a deep threat dimension this offense is sorely lacking. I'm going to be very curious how teams separate Johnston, Addison, Zay Flowers, and Smith-Njigba after that.
- Not a great crop of defensive lineman. I think we can find some scheme specific bodies with our mid round picks but otherwise need to be active in free agency. We are going to continue running this crap 3-4 and IMO all three down lineman positions need to be upgraded. A couple guys I'll be watching at the combine are Ika the nose tackle from Baylor (LSU transfer), Gervon Baxter from Florida, and Keeanu Benton from Wisconsin. All bigger bodies that fit our scheme and to me defensive line is the biggest position of need on this roster.
- My early overrated list: Tyree Wilson, Myles Murphy, Bryan Bresee, and Paris Johnson.
- I'd be shocked to see the Vikings draft a QB. If we trade down and add more picks, then taking someone like Hendon Hooker and stashing him away for a year makes a lot of sense. I think it's far more likely we add a Sam Darnold in free agency or trade for someone like Zac Wilson on the low end.
@"supafreak84" said: Daniel Jeremiah's top 50: 2023 NFL Draft prospect rankings 3.0Just released his updated post combine top 50. I'm still shocked by Bryce Young
Hooker is an ultra productive QB with size, accuracy and athleticism. He operates in the Vols' unique spread attack, where they send their outside wideouts to the extreme edges of the field and force opponents to defend them in space. Hooker has outstanding field vision, makes quick decisions and delivers the ball in a position where his receivers can easily run after the catch. He doesn’t have a powerful arm, but he can make all the necessary throws. He throws a beautiful deep ball. He has the athleticism to extend plays and he’s very effective on designed QB runs. Unfortunately, he suffered an ACL injury late in the season that could jeopardize his rookie campaign. Also, his age (25) is a concern for some teams. Overall, I see Hooker as a quality starting QB and wouldn’t be shocked if he has the best career of any passer in this year's class.
@"supafreak84" said: Daniel Jeremiah's top 50: 2023 NFL Draft prospect rankings 3.0Just released his updated post combine top 50. I'm still shocked by Bryce Young
All of the IOLs moved down. IOL, CB and LB are thick in the early to mid 2nd round. I'll be surprised if the Vikings don't trade down. Hooker could also be a target there.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"supafreak84" said: Daniel Jeremiah's top 50: 2023 NFL Draft prospect rankings 3.0Just released his updated post combine top 50. I'm still shocked by Bryce Young
All of the IOLs moved down. IOL, CB and LB are thick in the early to mid 2nd round. I'll be surprised if the Vikings don't
trade down. Hooker could also be a target there.
Not that I trust Kwesi, but this year trading down does make sense where last year it didn't. We have one pick in the top 86. Not good for a team that will likely have numerous holes to fill
2023 Big Board - Great Blue North Draft Report (gbnreport.com)
GBN updated their big board
@"supafreak84" said: 2023 Big Board - Great Blue North Draft Report (gbnreport.com)GBN updated their big board
Not typically a GBN fan, but this ranking looks pretty good to me. Unlike a few rankings I've seen, they have Darius Rush up where he belongs and Sewell down where he belongs, IMO. Couple things I disagree with... Tyjae Spears and Will McDonald are a little too low. I think McDonald could sneak into the 1st round.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35865573/georgia-dt-jalen-carter-9-lbs-heavier-struggles-pro-day
This is interesting from today. He is going to drop, just not sure how far. Hoping all the way to #23
@"supafreak84" said: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35865573/georgia-dt-jalen-carter-9-lbs-heavier-struggles-pro-dayThis is interesting from today. He is going to drop, just not sure how far. Hoping all the way to #23
Jeez. This guy is blowing millions faster than most lotto winners.
@"pattersaur" said:@"supafreak84" said: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35865573/georgia-dt-jalen-carter-9-lbs-heavier-struggles-pro-dayThis is interesting from today. He is going to drop, just not sure how far. Hoping all the way to #23
Jeez. This guy is blowing millions faster than most lotto winners.
Very reminiscent of Warren Sapps draft day slide or that of Laramy Tunsil
@"pattersaur" said:@"supafreak84" said: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35865573/georgia-dt-jalen-carter-9-lbs-heavier-struggles-pro-dayThis is interesting from today. He is going to drop, just not sure how far. Hoping all the way to #23
Jeez. This guy is blowing millions faster than most lotto winners.
Yeah. Faster than the Chicago Bears in free agency!
I think the longer you don't hear about Minnesota meeting with Hendon Hooker or no buzz about 'interest', the more I think it could happen. Its a tactic some teams do to try and throw off other GMs in exactly the kind of spot Hooker is looking to be drafted at. He's got good height, mobility and a very live arm. Taller than Geno Smith and Deshaun Watson. Not saying he's necessarily that kind of talent, but he's probably in the zip code.
@"supafreak84" said:@"pattersaur" said:@"supafreak84" said: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35865573/georgia-dt-jalen-carter-9-lbs-heavier-struggles-pro-dayThis is interesting from today. He is going to drop, just not sure how far. Hoping all the way to #23
Jeez. This guy is blowing millions faster than most lotto winners.
Very reminiscent of Warren Sapps draft day slide or that of Laramy Tunsil
Worse IMO. Sapp tested positive for weed and Tunsil was photographed with a bong.On top of a reputation for being lazy and taking plays off, Carter showed up to his pro day fat, slow, out of shape and out of breath. To me this is more a red flag than an affinity for weed. About a third of the 1st round will bust and it's usually related to work ethic. And there's still the car crash thing.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"supafreak84" said:@"pattersaur" said:@"supafreak84" said: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35865573/georgia-dt-jalen-carter-9-lbs-heavier-struggles-pro-dayThis is interesting from today. He is going to drop, just not sure how far. Hoping all the way to #23
Jeez. This guy is blowing millions faster than most lotto winners.
Very reminiscent of Warren Sapps draft day slide or that of Laramy Tunsil
Worse IMO. Sapp tested positive for weed and Tunsil was photographed with a bong.On top of a reputation for being lazy and taking plays off, Carter showed up to his pro day fat, slow, out of shape and out of breath. To me this is more a red flag than an affinity for weed. About a third of the 1st round will bust and it's usually related to work ethic. And there's still the car crash thing.
So now I'm seeing mocks where the top 4 QBs go in the top 7 picks. I'd laugh but I think that's probably pretty accurate. If some of you think that Richardson doesn't have the potential goodies and upside that NFL GMs will take a big chance on, you're kidding yourself. He won't make it out of the top 8 picks.
....and somebody is going to draft Hendon Hooker earlier than most draftniks think. Not saying round 1, but round 2 definitely IMO. Its the top 4 guys in Tier 1, Hendon in Tier 2 and the rest are all significantly below that I think.
@"StickyBun" said: So now I'm seeing mocks where the top 4 QBs go in the top 7 picks. I'd laugh but I think that's probably pretty accurate. If some of you think that Richardson doesn't have the potential goodies and upside that NFL GMs will take a big chance on, you're kidding yourself. He won't make it out of the top 8 picks.....and somebody is going to draft Hendon Hooker earlier than most draftniks think. Not saying round 1, but round 2 definitely IMO. Its the top 4 guys in Tier 1, Hendon in Tier 2 and the rest are all significantly below that I think.
I think if you want Hooker you have to take him in the 1st. He's getting a big boost from how well Hurts played this year.
In DJ's latest mock, the Vikings take Hooker in the 1st.
https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-2023-nfl-mock-draft-3-0-bucs-colts-panthers-texans-vikings-pick-
Can someone please sell me on the notion of taking an old Hooker in the first?
@"StickyBun" said: So now I'm seeing mocks where the top 4 QBs go in the top 7 picks. I'd laugh but I think that's probably pretty accurate. If some of you think that Richardson doesn't have the potential goodies and upside that NFL GMs will take a big chance on, you're kidding yourself. He won't make it out of the top 8 picks.....and somebody is going to draft Hendon Hooker earlier than most draftniks think. Not saying round 1, but round 2 definitely IMO. Its the top 4 guys in Tier 1, Hendon in Tier 2 and the rest are all significantly below that I think.
You're probably right on Richardson, and I'll laugh because you have to wonder how GM's, coaches, and scouts who fall for these shiny things at the underwear olympics got to the top of the food chain. 1 yr. of starting at the college level with abysmal stats and then being rewarded with top 10 selection is the definition of a sucker bet.
@"PurpleCrush" said: Can someone please sell me on the notion of taking an old Hooker in the first?
Experience
I think the problem with taking Hooker for the Vikings in the first round is our limited pick supply with huge areas of need still to fill on the roster. You can take Hooker who is recovering from a knee injury, and plant him on IR for the year, or you can take a player that hopefully pays immediate dividends. There would have to be real conviction to use our first round pick on him.
@"supafreak84" said: I think the problem with taking Hooker for the Vikings in the first round is our limited pick supply with huge areas of need still to fill on the roster. You can take Hooker who is recovering from a knee injury, and plant him on IR for the year, or you can take a player that hopefully pays immediate dividends. There would have to be real conviction to use our first round pick on him.
We don't take players that pay immediate dividends. Thats not the Kwesi way!!!
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