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.
This would not surprise me...
Round 1, No. 23: Deonte Banks, CB, MarylandThis selection should not surprise you. Brugler ranks Banks as the fourth-best cornerback in the 2023 class. He also projects as “an outside, press-man cornerback,” according to Brugler, and those qualities align perfectly with what Brian Flores’ defense needs.
This pick makes a world of sense. One NFL scout raved about Banks’ physicality, telling Brugler: “His dog mentality sets the tone for that secondary.” I can almost hear Flores saying those words. Banks is physical. He is aggressive. He is capable of stepping onto the field early and making an impact.
I can already hear your angst. Another cornerback in the first round? Really?
You’re right to be skeptical after Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Mike Hughes and Jeff Gladney. You would also have a point if you mention that the Vikings spent notable draft capital at this position last year (Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans). It’s just that teams need cornerback depth, and it’s not every day they come across a long and muscular talent who can run with elite wideouts.
Again, that’s why this one makes sense.
vikings-mock-draft-nfl-deonte-banks
i dont get the angst on drafting CB, how many other positions regularly have 3 players on the field at any time and from a defensive standpoint are playing what is likely the most difficult position in terms of how the league has changed the rules to hinder your success? its a pass first league and having a cupboard full of cheap talented corners is a not a dumb move, now there may be more pressing positions, but if the talent is there at CB and the other areas of need are not... hard to be to pissed at taking CB.
@"JimmyinSD" said: i dont get the angst on drafting CB, how many other positions regularly have 3 players on the field at any time and from a defensive standpoint are playing what is likely the most difficult position in terms of how the league has changed the rules to hinder your success? its a pass first league and having a cupboard full of cheap talented corners is a not a dumb move, now there may be more pressing positions, but if the talent is there at CB and the other areas of need are not... hard to be to pissed at taking CB.We're definitely taking a CB, just not necessarily in the 1st round. The presumptive starters are Murphy, Booth and Evans. Based just on pedigree, that's a pretty sound trio. The concern is obviously the injury risk for Booth and Evans, so I think we either add qualified competition for them in rounds 1-4, or we sign a free agent after the draft. Still quite a few good veteran CBs out there on the market.
typically I dont really get to wound up about being ready to go with the first pick when the vikings are not drafting until mid 20s, but this year, with the unknowns, the potential of trading away disgruntled talent that could have some decent value, or in Cousins case not disgruntled but still of value, I really have no idea what to expect... of course I never expected last year either so ... get that popcorn ready yall.
@"JimmyinSD" said: i dont get the angst on drafting CB, how many other positions regularly have 3 players on the field at any time and from a defensive standpoint are playing what is likely the most difficult position in terms of how the league has changed the rules to hinder your success? its a pass first league and having a cupboard full of cheap talented corners is a not a dumb move, now there may be more pressing positions, but if the talent is there at CB and the other areas of need are not... hard to be to pissed at taking CB.At a certain age it's always hard to piss :p
@"JimmyinSD" said: typically I dont really get to wound up about being ready to go with the first pick when the vikings are not drafting until mid 20s, but this year, with the unknowns, the potential of trading away disgruntled talent that could have some decent value, or in Cousins case not disgruntled but still of value, I really have no idea what to expect... of course I never expected last year either so ... get that popcorn ready yall.Am I the only one absolutely terrified (after last season) at how Kwesi is going to play this draft? I still have no faith in the guy and to me this is a huge "prove it" draft for him...
@"supafreak84" said:So if Cine, Booth and Evans all stay healthy and have good seasons will you still be hating on Kwesi's first draft?@"JimmyinSD" said: typically I dont really get to wound up about being ready to go with the first pick when the vikings are not drafting until mid 20s, but this year, with the unknowns, the potential of trading away disgruntled talent that could have some decent value, or in Cousins case not disgruntled but still of value, I really have no idea what to expect... of course I never expected last year either so ... get that popcorn ready yall. Am I the only one absolutely terrified (after last season) at how Kwesi is going to play this draft? I still have no faith in the guy and to me this is a huge "prove it" draft for him...
@"1VikesFan" said:That's a big "if." A lot will go into that determination including how Christian Watson and Jameson Williams perform..@"supafreak84" said:So if Cine, Booth and Evans all stay healthy and have good seasons will you still be hating on Kwesi's first draft?@"JimmyinSD" said: typically I dont really get to wound up about being ready to go with the first pick when the vikings are not drafting until mid 20s, but this year, with the unknowns, the potential of trading away disgruntled talent that could have some decent value, or in Cousins case not disgruntled but still of value, I really have no idea what to expect... of course I never expected last year either so ... get that popcorn ready yall. Am I the only one absolutely terrified (after last season) at how Kwesi is going to play this draft? I still have no faith in the guy and to me this is a huge "prove it" draft for him...Kwesi has to have some impact from this draft
Jaxson Smith-Njigba will be in Minnesota this week to meet with the Vikings
@"supafreak84" said: Jaxson Smith-Njigba will be in Minnesota this week to meet with the VikingsHow many assets are you willing to give up to draft him? No way he lasts to 23.
@"TBro" said:Agreed, I think the Vikings would be his draft floor@"supafreak84" said: Jaxson Smith-Njigba will be in Minnesota this week to meet with the Vikings How many assets are you willing to give up to draft him? No way he lasts to 23.
@"supafreak84" said:I wouldn't be opposed to trading up to get him. If he gets to the 16-17 range I say try to work a deal with Washington or Pittsburgh. I think he has one of the best chances of any of these receivers of having an immediate impact. I like Zay Flowers as well but I'm not trading up for him. I still have concerns about his ability to take a pounding at the NFL level. He's not built like Tyreek Hill. Johnston's size and catch radius is intriguing to me. He runs good routes, is good after the catch, and has the strength to win contested catches. Not sure about Addison. His film looks good but he's feasted against Pac12 Defenses and looks pretty scrawny.@"TBro" said:Agreed, I think the Vikings would be his draft floor@"supafreak84" said: Jaxson Smith-Njigba will be in Minnesota this week to meet with the Vikings How many assets are you willing to give up to draft him? No way he lasts to 23.
I keep seeing these mocks that have 4 QBs going in the top 5 selections....it almost never happens that way. Not saying it can't or the potential isn't there for it, but historically it just doesn't happen. The amount of mocks almost daily by the sports websites is unreal. The NFL Draft's popularity is off the chart.
@"TBro" said:This WR class isn't the kind that will inspire trades up IMO. There is no real consensus #1 and everybody has a different top 5.@"supafreak84" said: Jaxson Smith-Njigba will be in Minnesota this week to meet with the Vikings How many assets are you willing to give up to draft him? No way he lasts to 23.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.kshb.com/sports/report-boston-college-wr-zay-flowers-worked-out-with-patrick-mahomes-at-request-of-team%3f_amp=true
This is interesting. The Chiefs are always active on draft day
@"MaroonBells" said:@"TBro" said:This WR class isn't the kind that will inspire trades up IMO. There is no real consensus #1 and everybody has a different top 5.@"supafreak84" said: Jaxson Smith-Njigba will be in Minnesota this week to meet with the Vikings How many assets are you willing to give up to draft him? No way he lasts to 23.
Yea, I don't think a WR is worth trading up for in this draft. But if Levis falls into the 13 range carpe diem!
@"supafreak84" said: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.kshb.com/sports/report-boston-college-wr-zay-flowers-worked-out-with-patrick-mahomes-at-request-of-team%3f_amp=trueThis is interesting. The Chiefs are always active on draft day
When you have a QB like Mahomes, you have the luxury of going for the most dynamic WRers in the Draft because Mahomes will maximize their abilities to decimate defenses. Throw in Andy Reid and its a fucking issue playing the Chiefs.
From today's GBN;
Who’s #2 … For most of the last couple of months of the pre-draft process the one thing you could take to the bank was the notion that Alabama’s Bryce Young and CJ Stroud of Ohio State were firmly entrenched as the top two QBs. Young, of course, isn’t going anywhere, except maybe Kansas City next Thursday and then Carolina. But, literally all of a sudden, there are whispers that just maybe Stroud isn’t necessarily QB2 any longer, that Will Levis of Kentucky has emerged as the #2 QB on a number of team’s boards across the league including that in Houston where the Texans have the 2nd pick overall and have been sending out signals that they maybe balking over taking a QB at that spot. Presumably there’s more to come here. In the meantime, for those that keep track of these things, the draft starts a week today! Hang in there!
Let the craziness begin folks
@"supafreak84" said: From today's GBN;Who’s #2 … For most of the last couple of months of the pre-draft process the one thing you could take to the bank was the notion that Alabama’s Bryce Young and CJ Stroud of Ohio State were firmly entrenched as the top two QBs. Young, of course, isn’t going anywhere, except maybe Kansas City next Thursday and then Carolina. But, literally all of a sudden, there are whispers that just maybe Stroud isn’t necessarily QB2 any longer, that Will Levis of Kentucky has emerged as the #2 QB on a number of team’s boards across the league including that in Houston where the Texans have the 2nd pick overall and have been sending out signals that they maybe balking over taking a QB at that spot. Presumably there’s more to come here. In the meantime, for those that keep track of these things, the draft starts a week today! Hang in there!
Let the craziness begin folks
Isn't all the speculation on Stroud sliding based on rumors he isn't Coachable? Seems a little suspect a week before the draft. How come we are just hearing about this now? Interesting how the Narrative has changed from Bryce Young's size to Stroud's unwillingness to take Coaching.
@"TBro" said:@"supafreak84" said: From today's GBN;Who’s #2 … For most of the last couple of months of the pre-draft process the one thing you could take to the bank was the notion that Alabama’s Bryce Young and CJ Stroud of Ohio State were firmly entrenched as the top two QBs. Young, of course, isn’t going anywhere, except maybe Kansas City next Thursday and then Carolina. But, literally all of a sudden, there are whispers that just maybe Stroud isn’t necessarily QB2 any longer, that Will Levis of Kentucky has emerged as the #2 QB on a number of team’s boards across the league including that in Houston where the Texans have the 2nd pick overall and have been sending out signals that they maybe balking over taking a QB at that spot. Presumably there’s more to come here. In the meantime, for those that keep track of these things, the draft starts a week today! Hang in there!
Let the craziness begin folks
Isn't all the speculation on Stroud sliding based on rumors he isn't Coachable? Seems a little suspect a week before the draft. How come we are just hearing about this now? Interesting how the Narrative has changed from Bryce Young's size to Stroud's unwillingness to take Coaching.
The shocking thing is this report that Levis has emerged as the #2 rated quarterback on several teams draft boards, including that of the Texans. Crazy stuff
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