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.
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"jargomcfargo" said:@"TBro" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"TBro" said:@"purplefaithful" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Havoc1649" said: I’ve finished my review of potential QB’s I would take in round 1.Only 1 emerged at our selection for me and that is Hendon Hooker. I wouldn’t touch Levis - the risk is too high. Tape on Hooker screams 1st round pick, but he’s recovering from injury and a little older. The Vikings will get the perfect guy for the future with Hooker!
After reading someone's run down of teams likely looking at QB yesterday it seems unlikely that we can stay at 23 and get Hooker. I too liked a lot about his game, but I would have liked to see him look off the safeties more, he seems to have his target predetermined on many throws and will often lock on early. Also suggests that he didn't work through progressions very often. My biggest concern on Hooker is he just a good athlete in a QB friendly system.
Agreed, I dont think he drops to 23, which is kinda crazy imo.It'll be interesting to see how/if this team deals with QB this year.
I have a question that I don't see others brining up. Let's say we draft Hooker, or someone like DTR in the 3rd/4th, why couldn't we tag Cousins for a year if the QB we take isn't quite ready? I know Kirk could refuse to sign, but he really wouldn't have any leverage. Does the limit of 4 tags on a player apply to Cousin's since he was with the Redskins? Does it carry over wherever he plays?
I believe I read that it does follow the player.
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"TBro" said:
@"purplefaithful" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Havoc1649" said:
I’ve finished my review of potential QB’s I would take in round 1.Only 1 emerged at our selection for me and that is Hendon Hooker. I wouldn’t touch Levis - the risk is too high. Tape on Hooker screams 1st round pick, but he’s recovering from injury and a little older. The Vikings will get the perfect guy for the future with Hooker!
After reading someone's run down of teams likely looking at QB yesterday it seems unlikely that we can stay at 23 and get Hooker. I too liked a lot about his game, but I would have liked to see him look off the safeties more, he seems to have his target predetermined on many throws and will often lock on early. Also suggests that he didn't work through progressions very often. My biggest concern on Hooker is he just a good athlete in a QB friendly system.
Agreed, I dont think he drops to 23, which is kinda crazy imo.It'll be interesting to see how/if this team deals with QB this year.
I have a question that I don't see others brining up. Let's say we draft Hooker, or someone like DTR in the 3rd/4th, why couldn't we tag Cousins for a year if the QB we take isn't quite ready? I know Kirk could refuse to sign, but he really wouldn't have any leverage. Does the limit of 4 tags on a player apply to Cousin's since he was with the Redskins? Does it carry over wherever he plays?
I believe I read that it does follow the player.
I dug a little deeper. You are correct. The third tag on Cousins would cost the Vikings over $50 Million.
When they decided to let Cousins play out his contract instead of extending him again, it seemed to me, they didn't feel they could field a championship caliber team without the benefit of a QB on a rookie contract. They are cap strapped and draft capital poor.
Unfortunate for Cousins who has played well, but never had the team around him to go the distance. It was always rumored, Shanahan wanted him in SF; and in reality, they had the team where he may have had a lot more success. Look what Purdy, and even Jimmy G did. Would they have done as well as Cousins if they were in Minnesota?
The Vikings are moving on from Cousins after this year. Their competitive rebuild will be given a jump start once they are out from under the expensive QB salary.
The previous regime tried their best, but left the current front office in a tough spot. To no fault of his own, bringing in Cousins, wasn't the final piece of the puzzle. Now it's time to pay up.If he wins the Superbowl, he's worth $50 million. If not, he's gone.
Agree with most everything except the 50 million part, until the cap is over 300M I don't see even 45 million a year for any player, even QB being sustainable. Sure you would likely be more willing to play kick the can for the right special player, but you will he doing it at the expense of future success and possibly the quality of other positions, which is how we got to where we are now.
Agree with you on the 50 million part. I was just thinking, if they win a superbowl I don't care what they want to pay.
@"jargomcfargo" said:@"TBro" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"TBro" said:@"purplefaithful" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Havoc1649" said: I’ve finished my review of potential QB’s I would take in round 1.Only 1 emerged at our selection for me and that is Hendon Hooker. I wouldn’t touch Levis - the risk is too high. Tape on Hooker screams 1st round pick, but he’s recovering from injury and a little older. The Vikings will get the perfect guy for the future with Hooker!
After reading someone's run down of teams likely looking at QB yesterday it seems unlikely that we can stay at 23 and get Hooker. I too liked a lot about his game, but I would have liked to see him look off the safeties more, he seems to have his target predetermined on many throws and will often lock on early. Also suggests that he didn't work through progressions very often. My biggest concern on Hooker is he just a good athlete in a QB friendly system.
Agreed, I dont think he drops to 23, which is kinda crazy imo.It'll be interesting to see how/if this team deals with QB this year.
I have a question that I don't see others brining up. Let's say we draft Hooker, or someone like DTR in the 3rd/4th, why couldn't we tag Cousins for a year if the QB we take isn't quite ready? I know Kirk could refuse to sign, but he really wouldn't have any leverage. Does the limit of 4 tags on a player apply to Cousin's since he was with the Redskins? Does it carry over wherever he plays?
I believe I read that it does follow the player.
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"TBro" said:
@"purplefaithful" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Havoc1649" said:
I’ve finished my review of potential QB’s I would take in round 1.Only 1 emerged at our selection for me and that is Hendon Hooker. I wouldn’t touch Levis - the risk is too high. Tape on Hooker screams 1st round pick, but he’s recovering from injury and a little older. The Vikings will get the perfect guy for the future with Hooker!
After reading someone's run down of teams likely looking at QB yesterday it seems unlikely that we can stay at 23 and get Hooker. I too liked a lot about his game, but I would have liked to see him look off the safeties more, he seems to have his target predetermined on many throws and will often lock on early. Also suggests that he didn't work through progressions very often. My biggest concern on Hooker is he just a good athlete in a QB friendly system.
Agreed, I dont think he drops to 23, which is kinda crazy imo.It'll be interesting to see how/if this team deals with QB this year.
I have a question that I don't see others brining up. Let's say we draft Hooker, or someone like DTR in the 3rd/4th, why couldn't we tag Cousins for a year if the QB we take isn't quite ready? I know Kirk could refuse to sign, but he really wouldn't have any leverage. Does the limit of 4 tags on a player apply to Cousin's since he was with the Redskins? Does it carry over wherever he plays?
I believe I read that it does follow the player.
I dug a little deeper. You are correct. The third tag on Cousins would cost the Vikings over $50 Million.
When they decided to let Cousins play out his contract instead of extending him again, it seemed to me, they didn't feel they could field a championship caliber team without the benefit of a QB on a rookie contract. They are cap strapped and draft capital poor.
Unfortunate for Cousins who has played well, but never had the team around him to go the distance. It was always rumored, Shanahan wanted him in SF; and in reality, they had the team where he may have had a lot more success. Look what Purdy, and even Jimmy G did. Would they have done as well as Cousins if they were in Minnesota?
The Vikings are moving on from Cousins after this year. Their competitive rebuild will be given a jump start once they are out from under the expensive QB salary.
The previous regime tried their best, but left the current front office in a tough spot. To no fault of his own, bringing in Cousins, wasn't the final piece of the puzzle. Now it's time to pay up.If he wins the Superbowl, he's worth $50 million. If not, he's gone.
I think there's a lot more in play than that. I don't think he has to win the Super Bowl, but he has to play well in year two to get the extension.To make 23 his last season, I think he has to show no significant progress in year two. AND we have to have a QB in the pipeline. AND said QB has to develop enough in his 1st season to trust in his 2nd. In other words, he can't be Kellen Mond. Otherwise Cousins probably isn't going anywhere.
I can't read the mind of the Vikings braintrust, but I consider it very unlikely they will leave the decision on who throws to Justin Jefferson to chance, to potentially watch him languish with a QB who might be the next Dwayne Haskins or Josh Rosen.
The rumor mill is kicking!
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-rumors-patriots-reportedly-shopping-qb-plus-five-logical-landing-spots/
@"Rigby" said: Nolan Smith.I like Nolan Smith, but I think I like Will McDonald even more. Keep an eye on his stock. I think he's being undervalued by the media scouts.
I'd be very surprised to see us take an outside pass rusher early. We signed Davenport and I think Patrick Jones is going to play a bigger role this season, maybe even start if Zadarius is gone as everyone expects. With that said, there are some intriguing players that will be available such as Nolan Smith to consider.
Listened to Pat Kirwin on NFL radios draft preview show discussing the tight end and wide receiver positions. Stated he would be leery of the medical on Smith-Njigba and thought he was more of a second round prospect. Thought the two WR's being underrated in this draft were Hyatt, who he compared to DeSean Jackson, and the Downs kid from North Carolina. Absolutely loved LaPorta from Iowa as did most of the other analysts on the show, and thought he might be the best TE of the bunch when all is said and done
Draft buzz has Hooker now rated as their #3 prospect. The stats don't lie, but I think are somewhat inflated by the TN offensive system. I'm not sold on his ability to read an NFL defense, and go through the necessary progressions. I'm still a bit stubborn on Max Duggan as a late round sleeper that people are going to regret not taking earlier.
@"StickyBun" said: The rumor mill is kicking!https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-rumors-patriots-reportedly-shopping-qb-plus-five-logical-landing-spots/
What, so the heaps of praise lavished on Mac Jones after his rookie season were premature? Whoever would've thought?
@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: The rumor mill is kicking!https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-rumors-patriots-reportedly-shopping-qb-plus-five-logical-landing-spots/
What, so the heaps of praise lavished on Mac Jones after his rookie season were premature? Whoever would've thought?
Yep. The media REALLY crowned his ass.
@"StickyBun" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: The rumor mill is kicking!https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-rumors-patriots-reportedly-shopping-qb-plus-five-logical-landing-spots/
What, so the heaps of praise lavished on Mac Jones after his rookie season were premature? Whoever would've thought?
Yep. The media REALLY crowned his ass.
Just the media doing what they do best.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: The rumor mill is kicking!https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-rumors-patriots-reportedly-shopping-qb-plus-five-logical-landing-spots/
What, so the heaps of praise lavished on Mac Jones after his rookie season were premature? Whoever would've thought?
there was somebody on here that was also very vocal singing the praises of Jones and bitching and moaning about not taking him, who was that again?... I am not saying that Jones is a bust, but 1 year, good or bad, does not define a career.
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: The rumor mill is kicking!https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-rumors-patriots-reportedly-shopping-qb-plus-five-logical-landing-spots/
What, so the heaps of praise lavished on Mac Jones after his rookie season were premature? Whoever would've thought?
there was somebody on here that was also very vocal singing the praises of Jones and bitching and moaning about not taking him, who was that again?... I am not saying that Jones is a bust, but 1 year, good or bad, does not define a career.
I will mention no names, but I think there was more than one. I thought the praise was especially premature because everyone knew he was the most NFL ready but he didn't have the arm, poise and upside that would allow him to develop. I think that's exactly how it has panned out. He started well and then faded. He'll probably settle in as a fringe, low-end starter, high end backup somewhere. A Sam Darnold or an Andy Dalton.It's like Brock Purdy. Sure, he looked great in a handful of games, but what happens when defenses have tape? Not saying he can't be great, just that we haven't seen enough.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: The rumor mill is kicking!https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-rumors-patriots-reportedly-shopping-qb-plus-five-logical-landing-spots/
What, so the heaps of praise lavished on Mac Jones after his rookie season were premature? Whoever would've thought?
there was somebody on here that was also very vocal singing the praises of Jones and bitching and moaning about not taking him, who was that again?... I am not saying that Jones is a bust, but 1 year, good or bad, does not define a career.
I will mention no names, but I think there was more than one. I thought the praise was especially premature because everyone knew he was the most NFL ready but he didn't have the arm, poise and upside that would allow him to develop. I think that's exactly how it has panned out. He started well and then faded. He'll probably settle in as a fringe, low-end starter, high end backup somewhere. A Sam Darnold or an Andy Dalton.It's like Brock Purdy. Sure, he looked great in a handful of games, but what happens when defenses have tape? Not saying he can't be great, just that we haven't seen enough.
I think QB is one of the hardest for me to really sit and evaluate college tape on, its so hard to know if they can read a defense or if everything is so scripted for them that they just aim and shoot. I watched a couple hours of Hooker tape ( I am going to have so much fun with that name if he is a Viking ) and I am still not sure if he can read a D or is just in a good system with good talent to work with. With the talk of Levis dropping I may look at him now as well. typically I dont have much time to watch tape as much as I used to so I try and just focus on names linked to the team.
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: The rumor mill is kicking!https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-rumors-patriots-reportedly-shopping-qb-plus-five-logical-landing-spots/
What, so the heaps of praise lavished on Mac Jones after his rookie season were premature? Whoever would've thought?
there was somebody on here that was also very vocal singing the praises of Jones and bitching and moaning about not taking him, who was that again?... I am not saying that Jones is a bust, but 1 year, good or bad, does not define a career.
It's Alabama thing, the system they run, and the fact that their talent dwarfs any team they play 99% of the time. It makes them hard to evaluate when projecting them at the pro level. It's why I find the Bryce Young hype almost comical. You have a lineage of NFL failures at the QB position, but now we are supposed to buy in on this 5'10"/195 pound kid as the top talent in the draft? I'll just say I'm glad its not the Vikings having to make that draft day decision on him
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: The rumor mill is kicking!https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-rumors-patriots-reportedly-shopping-qb-plus-five-logical-landing-spots/
What, so the heaps of praise lavished on Mac Jones after his rookie season were premature? Whoever would've thought?
there was somebody on here that was also very vocal singing the praises of Jones and bitching and moaning about not taking him, who was that again?... I am not saying that Jones is a bust, but 1 year, good or bad, does not define a career.
I will mention no names, but I think there was more than one. I thought the praise was especially premature because everyone knew he was the most NFL ready but he didn't have the arm, poise and upside that would allow him to develop. I think that's exactly how it has panned out. He started well and then faded. He'll probably settle in as a fringe, low-end starter, high end backup somewhere. A Sam Darnold or an Andy Dalton.It's like Brock Purdy. Sure, he looked great in a handful of games, but what happens when defenses have tape? Not saying he can't be great, just that we haven't seen enough.
I think QB is one of the hardest for me to really sit and evaluate college tape on, its so hard to know if they can read a defense or if everything is so scripted for them that they just aim and shoot. I watched a couple hours of Hooker tape ( I am going to have so much fun with that name if he is a Viking ) and I am still not sure if he can read a D or is just in a good system with good talent to work with. With the talk of Levis dropping I may look at him now as well. typically I dont have much time to watch tape as much as I used to so I try and just focus on names linked to the team.
The system Hooker played in was a spread offense with a lot of space. He only read one side of the field for the most part, which meant he was a one or two read QB. That is why he will need a year to develop behind another QB. But he seems to have every other attribute needed for the pro game if his knee is sound.
A year to learn to read defenses at the NFL level and let his knee fully heal, will put him at age 26 as a first time starter I believe. While that's a late start, he will still be young by QB standards; and inexpensive for awhile if he pans out.
Odds are the Vikings won't get him. But he seems worth the gamble if they don't have to sell the farm to get him!
@"jargomcfargo" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: The rumor mill is kicking!https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-rumors-patriots-reportedly-shopping-qb-plus-five-logical-landing-spots/
What, so the heaps of praise lavished on Mac Jones after his rookie season were premature? Whoever would've thought?
there was somebody on here that was also very vocal singing the praises of Jones and bitching and moaning about not taking him, who was that again?... I am not saying that Jones is a bust, but 1 year, good or bad, does not define a career.
I will mention no names, but I think there was more than one. I thought the praise was especially premature because everyone knew he was the most NFL ready but he didn't have the arm, poise and upside that would allow him to develop. I think that's exactly how it has panned out. He started well and then faded. He'll probably settle in as a fringe, low-end starter, high end backup somewhere. A Sam Darnold or an Andy Dalton.It's like Brock Purdy. Sure, he looked great in a handful of games, but what happens when defenses have tape? Not saying he can't be great, just that we haven't seen enough.
I think QB is one of the hardest for me to really sit and evaluate college tape on, its so hard to know if they can read a defense or if everything is so scripted for them that they just aim and shoot. I watched a couple hours of Hooker tape ( I am going to have so much fun with that name if he is a Viking ) and I am still not sure if he can read a D or is just in a good system with good talent to work with. With the talk of Levis dropping I may look at him now as well. typically I dont have much time to watch tape as much as I used to so I try and just focus on names linked to the team.
The system Hooker played in was a spread offense with a lot of space. He only read one side of the field for the most part, which meant he was a one or two read QB. That is why he will need a year to develop behind another QB. But he seems to have every other attribute needed for the pro game if his knee is sound.
A year to learn to read defenses at the NFL level and let his knee fully heal, will put him at age 26 as a first time starter I believe. While that's a late start, he will still be young by QB standards; and inexpensive for awhile if he pans out.
Odds are the Vikings won't get him. But he seems worth the gamble if they don't have to sell the farm to get him!
i saw where the packers are looking at him too.
Sal Pal on NFL Radio this morning. Stated he believes there's a heavy lean within the Panthers organization to take Bryce Young with the #1 overall pick. Also stated Hendon Hooker has "been killing it in interviews" and believes he could go anywhere in the second half of the first round.
I'm just really surprised by the Bryce Young deal. If I'm wrong on him, I'm wrong, but the size is hugely concerning and I just don't believe he's going to hold up over the course of an NFL season. People always try to make the Kyler Murray comparison, but Murray is a much better athlete and at least ten to fifteen pounds heavier.
Like I said, I'm just happy it's not the Vikings having to make the decision on Bryce Young
Vikings are reportedly meeting with Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo on a pre-draft visit. I like Mingo, had him in my mock draft
@"supafreak84" said: Sal Pal on NFL Radio this morning. Stated he believes there's a heavy lean within the Panthers organization to take Bryce Young with the #1 overall pick. Also stated Hendon Hooker has "been killing it in interviews" and believes he could go anywhere in the second half of the first round.With age comes maturity and my guy is ancient. Not surprised he’s done well in interviews.
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