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supafreak84
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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. 

#1 · Feb 18, 10:35 AM
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@"comet52" said: Richardson will be the next Jamarcus Russell.
The Raiders are still paying for that mistake. Whoever takes AR won't be investing quite as much.

Russell's biggest problem was work ethic. He didn't put the time in, and by his 2nd season his ass was the size of Arkansas. I don't think AR has the same character issues. And he's a better athlete. Russell was basically Chris Doleman playing QB.

#82 · Feb 27, 6:34 AM
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If this QB class plays out like most, one of these guys will be good, one will be OK and other two will bust.
If I were to pick one QB for each, I would say Levis is the good one, Young the OK one and the other two the busts. And I fully realize I'm in the minority on that. 

#83 · Feb 27, 7:28 AM
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#84 · Feb 27, 7:31 AM
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@"MaroonBells" said: If this QB class plays out like most, one of these guys will be good, one will be OK and other two will bust. If I were to pick one QB for each, I would say Levis is the good one, Young the OK one and the other two the busts. And I fully realize I'm in the minority on that. 


how much of that is on the prospects,  vs going to teams that have nothing in place to develop a prospect and throw them to the wolves far to soon?  Personally I think the later is much more likely the cause of so many decent college QBs failing in the pros,  and then we see later round players develop into successful players.  IMO the coaching staff and a strong ownership group that isnt expecting immediate results is much more important than just getting the right kid out of the pool of prospects.

#85 · Feb 27, 8:34 AM
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@"MaroonBells" said:
@"comet52" said: Richardson will be the next Jamarcus Russell.
The Raiders are still paying for that mistake. Whoever takes AR won't be investing quite as much.

Russell's biggest problem was work ethic. He didn't put the time in, and by his 2nd season his ass was the size of Arkansas. I don't think AR has the same character issues. And he's a better athlete. Russell was basically Chris Doleman playing QB.



I looked at Hooker, Young, Stroud, McKee, Levis and Richardson recently.  Just all-game stuff not highlight reels, and some of JT O'Sullivan's stuff.  My take was Stroud is the best prospect and Richardson is the worst.  Levis had the best arm but needs a lot of work.

I think Young is another Alabama guy whose game won't get beyond mid level in the NFL.  He doesn't have the elusiveness and creativity of small qbs like Murray/Wilson which is how those guys made it to big contracts.

#86 · Feb 27, 9:26 AM
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@"comet52" said:
@"MaroonBells" said:
@"comet52" said: Richardson will be the next Jamarcus Russell.
The Raiders are still paying for that mistake. Whoever takes AR won't be investing quite as much.

Russell's biggest problem was work ethic. He didn't put the time in, and by his 2nd season his ass was the size of Arkansas. I don't think AR has the same character issues. And he's a better athlete. Russell was basically Chris Doleman playing QB.



I looked at Hooker, Young, Stroud, McKee, Levis and Richardson recently.  Just all-game stuff not highlight reels, and some of JT O'Sullivan's stuff.  My take was Stroud is the best prospect and Richardson is the worst.  Levis had the best arm but needs a lot of work.

I think Young is another Alabama guy whose game won't get beyond mid level in the NFL.  He doesn't have the elusiveness and creativity of small qbs like Murray/Wilson which is how those guys made it to big contracts.



I'm not sure how its not a consensus opinion that Stroud is the #1 QB in this draft. All you have to do is turn on the Georgia tape. Bryce Young would scare me as a GM because short guys that can run around is not the wave of the future that bucks years of trend. 5'10" maybe 185 pounds. People point to Kyler Murray, but even Murray was 22 pounds heavier and we've seen him banged up. When I've watched Young, I just worry about him winning from the pocket when its not a clean pocket. A lot of roll outs and getting him out of the pocket where he can see and he is accurate when using his legs. He is essentially the modern day Doug Flutie. 

#87 · Feb 27, 10:44 AM
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@"supafreak84" said:
@"comet52" said:
@"MaroonBells" said:
@"comet52" said: Richardson will be the next Jamarcus Russell.
The Raiders are still paying for that mistake. Whoever takes AR won't be investing quite as much.

Russell's biggest problem was work ethic. He didn't put the time in, and by his 2nd season his ass was the size of Arkansas. I don't think AR has the same character issues. And he's a better athlete. Russell was basically Chris Doleman playing QB.



I looked at Hooker, Young, Stroud, McKee, Levis and Richardson recently.  Just all-game stuff not highlight reels, and some of JT O'Sullivan's stuff.  My take was Stroud is the best prospect and Richardson is the worst.  Levis had the best arm but needs a lot of work.

I think Young is another Alabama guy whose game won't get beyond mid level in the NFL.  He doesn't have the elusiveness and creativity of small qbs like Murray/Wilson which is how those guys made it to big contracts.



I'm not sure how its not a consensus opinion that Stroud is the #1 QB in this draft. All you have to do is turn on the Georgia tape. Bryce Young would scare me as a GM because short guys that can run around is not the wave of the future that bucks years of trend. 5'10" maybe 185 pounds. People point to Kyler Murray, but even Murray was 22 pounds heavier and we've seen him banged up. When I've watched Young, I just worry about him winning from the pocket when its not a clean pocket. A lot of roll outs and getting him out of the pocket where he can see and he is accurate when using his legs. He is essentially the modern day Doug Flutie. 


And QBs that have to run are about as predictable and vulnerable as QBs like Cousins that never leave their spot in the pocket.  Ideally I wouldnt really want a QB that is under 6'3",  I know that there are plenty of exceptions ( Pat Mahomes )  but the shorter guys have to rely a lot more on arm angles and other things to create passing lanes, than a guy that can stand in there and fire it over the OL and defenders.  Im not saying a shorter QB cant have success,  but when we are talking about prospects that all need to develop,  the less obstacles the better IMO.

#88 · Feb 27, 11:04 AM
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@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"supafreak84" said:
@"comet52" said:
@"MaroonBells" said:
@"comet52" said: Richardson will be the next Jamarcus Russell.
The Raiders are still paying for that mistake. Whoever takes AR won't be investing quite as much.

Russell's biggest problem was work ethic. He didn't put the time in, and by his 2nd season his ass was the size of Arkansas. I don't think AR has the same character issues. And he's a better athlete. Russell was basically Chris Doleman playing QB.



I looked at Hooker, Young, Stroud, McKee, Levis and Richardson recently.  Just all-game stuff not highlight reels, and some of JT O'Sullivan's stuff.  My take was Stroud is the best prospect and Richardson is the worst.  Levis had the best arm but needs a lot of work.

I think Young is another Alabama guy whose game won't get beyond mid level in the NFL.  He doesn't have the elusiveness and creativity of small qbs like Murray/Wilson which is how those guys made it to big contracts.



I'm not sure how its not a consensus opinion that Stroud is the #1 QB in this draft. All you have to do is turn on the Georgia tape. Bryce Young would scare me as a GM because short guys that can run around is not the wave of the future that bucks years of trend. 5'10" maybe 185 pounds. People point to Kyler Murray, but even Murray was 22 pounds heavier and we've seen him banged up. When I've watched Young, I just worry about him winning from the pocket when its not a clean pocket. A lot of roll outs and getting him out of the pocket where he can see and he is accurate when using his legs. He is essentially the modern day Doug Flutie. 


And QBs that have to run are about as predictable and vulnerable as QBs like Cousins that never leave their spot in the pocket.  Ideally I wouldnt really want a QB that is under 6'3",  I know that there are plenty of exceptions ( Pat Mahomes )  but the shorter guys have to rely a lot more on arm angles and other things to create passing lanes, than a guy that can stand in there and fire it over the OL and defenders.  Im not saying a shorter QB cant have success,  but when we are talking about prospects that all need to develop,  the less obstacles the better IMO.


To me, 6' and 200 pounds is the minimum standard for an NFL QB and Young is below both those standards. Sure, there have been smaller QB's that have had some success in the league but those guys are rare and even then, were not thought to be elite level QB's. Kyler Murray is kind of carrying that flag and hope, but how many coaching candidates turned down the Cardinals job because they didn't want to be saddled with Murray and his attitude/limitations? So, the Bryce Young stuff is surprising to me. I understand he's from the football factory that is Alabama and won the Heisman, but I wouldn't gamble on him with a top 20 pick. 

#89 · Feb 27, 11:16 AM
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@"supafreak84" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"supafreak84" said:
@"comet52" said:
@"MaroonBells" said:
@"comet52" said: Richardson will be the next Jamarcus Russell.
The Raiders are still paying for that mistake. Whoever takes AR won't be investing quite as much.

Russell's biggest problem was work ethic. He didn't put the time in, and by his 2nd season his ass was the size of Arkansas. I don't think AR has the same character issues. And he's a better athlete. Russell was basically Chris Doleman playing QB.



I looked at Hooker, Young, Stroud, McKee, Levis and Richardson recently.  Just all-game stuff not highlight reels, and some of JT O'Sullivan's stuff.  My take was Stroud is the best prospect and Richardson is the worst.  Levis had the best arm but needs a lot of work.

I think Young is another Alabama guy whose game won't get beyond mid level in the NFL.  He doesn't have the elusiveness and creativity of small qbs like Murray/Wilson which is how those guys made it to big contracts.



I'm not sure how its not a consensus opinion that Stroud is the #1 QB in this draft. All you have to do is turn on the Georgia tape. Bryce Young would scare me as a GM because short guys that can run around is not the wave of the future that bucks years of trend. 5'10" maybe 185 pounds. People point to Kyler Murray, but even Murray was 22 pounds heavier and we've seen him banged up. When I've watched Young, I just worry about him winning from the pocket when its not a clean pocket. A lot of roll outs and getting him out of the pocket where he can see and he is accurate when using his legs. He is essentially the modern day Doug Flutie. 


And QBs that have to run are about as predictable and vulnerable as QBs like Cousins that never leave their spot in the pocket.  Ideally I wouldnt really want a QB that is under 6'3",  I know that there are plenty of exceptions ( Pat Mahomes )  but the shorter guys have to rely a lot more on arm angles and other things to create passing lanes, than a guy that can stand in there and fire it over the OL and defenders.  Im not saying a shorter QB cant have success,  but when we are talking about prospects that all need to develop,  the less obstacles the better IMO.


To me, 6' and 200 pounds is the minimum standard for an NFL QB and Young is below both those standards. Sure, there have been smaller QB's that have had some success in the league but those guys are rare and even then, were not thought to be elite level QB's. Kyler Murray is kind of carrying that flag and hope, but how many coaching candidates turned down the Cardinals job because they didn't want to be saddled with Murray and his attitude/limitations? So, the Bryce Young stuff is surprising to me. I understand he's from the football factory that is Alabama and won the Heisman, but I wouldn't gamble on him with a top 20 pick. 


I think with DL getting bigger and stronger,  we will need to get bigger and stronger on the OL to counter, the days to those guys being about 285 and listed as 305 are coming to a close because if they cant anchor in pass pro... in a pass happy league,  there isnt really a place for them,  but simply being fat isnt going to cut it,  I see OL becoming monsters like the DTs have become,  we used to see those huge humans at the OL positions,  but they transitioned to smaller faster guys,  I think we see that trend reverse,  as such the smaller QBs will have a harder time.

#90 · Feb 27, 11:40 AM
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Stroud, Levis, and Richardson will all throw at the combine. Young will not, and just be doing the measurements. Will throw at his Pro Day 

#91 · Feb 27, 11:41 AM
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#92 · Feb 27, 12:07 PM
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@"supafreak84" said: https://youtu.be/K2oSbwycSik
Interesting take in favor of Will Levis 
And he doesn't even mention one of the biggest factors. Levis played in a pro style offense. What you saw him do this year and last was very similar to what he'll be asked to do in the NFL. 

And unlike most college QBs who get shell-shocked by the amount of pressure and tight passing windows, Levis has been dealing with this for the last two years. 

#93 · Feb 27, 1:00 PM
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Like others have said, landing spot is so important. Jalen Hurts played like a top 5 QB this season. Wentz did it before him for a cup of coffee. Different regimes in Philly but clearly they're doing something right. Lamar in Baltimore has had the offense tailored around his skillset. There were plenty on this board and on PT who wanted Hurts and he was sitting right there, but would he have developed with us? Who knows. Geno Smith is another guy who floundered but given a change of scenery/coaching, looked much better. Baker Mayfield to a small degree as well.

The good news is I have faith in KO. Much moreso than any of the previous few regimes, specifically when it comes to developing a QB and an offense.

So the Vikings have to either roll with vets via FA/trade, or trust their staff to develop someone who probably isn't a Day 1 starter like the Lawrences and Burrows of the world. Is this year the time to grab a toolsy rookie? I would say yes but I can see both sides of that argument too. Having so few picks and so many holes definitely puts us behind the 8 ball as far as maneuverability.
EDIT- To add, an extra first rounder in 2023 from DET for moving back last year would have been so big. Sadly it didn't happen. I also was a proponent of trying to accumulate future picks when Spielman was still running things but when your job is on the line as his clearly was, that's tough to do. For a team that won 13 games last year in a division that's wide open, we find ourselves in a pretty tricky spot. That's why the guys running the team make millions I suppose!

#94 · Feb 27, 1:09 PM
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@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"supafreak84" said:
@"comet52" said:
@"MaroonBells" said:
@"comet52" said: Richardson will be the next Jamarcus Russell.
The Raiders are still paying for that mistake. Whoever takes AR won't be investing quite as much.

Russell's biggest problem was work ethic. He didn't put the time in, and by his 2nd season his ass was the size of Arkansas. I don't think AR has the same character issues. And he's a better athlete. Russell was basically Chris Doleman playing QB.



I looked at Hooker, Young, Stroud, McKee, Levis and Richardson recently.  Just all-game stuff not highlight reels, and some of JT O'Sullivan's stuff.  My take was Stroud is the best prospect and Richardson is the worst.  Levis had the best arm but needs a lot of work.

I think Young is another Alabama guy whose game won't get beyond mid level in the NFL.  He doesn't have the elusiveness and creativity of small qbs like Murray/Wilson which is how those guys made it to big contracts.



I'm not sure how its not a consensus opinion that Stroud is the #1 QB in this draft. All you have to do is turn on the Georgia tape. Bryce Young would scare me as a GM because short guys that can run around is not the wave of the future that bucks years of trend. 5'10" maybe 185 pounds. People point to Kyler Murray, but even Murray was 22 pounds heavier and we've seen him banged up. When I've watched Young, I just worry about him winning from the pocket when its not a clean pocket. A lot of roll outs and getting him out of the pocket where he can see and he is accurate when using his legs. He is essentially the modern day Doug Flutie. 


And QBs that have to run are about as predictable and vulnerable as QBs like Cousins that never leave their spot in the pocket.  Ideally I wouldnt really want a QB that is under 6'3",  I know that there are plenty of exceptions ( Pat Mahomes )  but the shorter guys have to rely a lot more on arm angles and other things to create passing lanes, than a guy that can stand in there and fire it over the OL and defenders.  Im not saying a shorter QB cant have success,  but when we are talking about prospects that all need to develop,  the less obstacles the better IMO.


Height definitely helps.   Most all college qb's have some run in their game at this point because of how things have evolved but as I like to say, you want to find a thrower who runs occasionally, not a runner who throws occasionally.  

#95 · Feb 27, 2:45 PM
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@"MaroonBells" said:
@"supafreak84" said: https://youtu.be/K2oSbwycSik
Interesting take in favor of Will Levis 
And he doesn't even mention one of the biggest factors. Levis played in a pro style offense. What you saw him do this year and last was very similar to what he'll be asked to do in the NFL. 

And unlike most college QBs who get shell-shocked by the amount of pressure and tight passing windows, Levis has been dealing with this for the last two years. 



He's hard to categorize, at least for me.  I see some Josh Allen there, but also some bad arm angles, bad decisions.  A big arm, lots of fire/passion.  Can run a bit but not an elusive scrambler type, more of a straight line bull runner.   Doesn't have elite pocket presence/awareness or a real fast processor upstairs despite Cowherd thinking he's smart because mom went to Yale =)    

With the right coach/development he could evolve to maybe the 6-12 range qb rankings in the league; with a bad situation he's going to be just another guy no one remembers.   Just another part of the big crapshoot that is NFL drafting and development.

#96 · Feb 27, 2:51 PM
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I don't think it will go this way, but this is how I would rank them:

1. Stroud
2. Levis
3. Young
4. Hooker
5. Richardson

#97 · Feb 27, 2:57 PM
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how many guys would run out and buy their wives a Hooker jersey if he was to become a Viking?

#98 · Feb 27, 3:26 PM
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@"MaroonBells" said:
@"supafreak84" said: https://youtu.be/K2oSbwycSik
Interesting take in favor of Will Levis 
And he doesn't even mention one of the biggest factors. Levis played in a pro style offense. What you saw him do this year and last was very similar to what he'll be asked to do in the NFL. 

And unlike most college QBs who get shell-shocked by the amount of pressure and tight passing windows, Levis has been dealing with this for the last two years. 



Not only did he play in a pro style offense, his OC/QB coach was Liam Coan who was the assistant QB coach for the Rams under O'Connell.  If you check videos of Levis, there will be many bad ones from those that do not like him, but what he does well and will have to do in the NFL is throw from an imperfect pocket.  He makes tons of throws under duress.

#99 · Feb 27, 3:52 PM
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@"StickyBun" said:
@"comet52" said: Richardson will be the next Jamarcus Russell.
Could be, but not quite the epic failure as the consensus #1 overall pick. 

My point is not the Richardson is going to succeed necessarily, but that he's going to be drafted very highly for his potential. GMs can't help themselves.



No they cannot, especially these days.

Of course I don't like to make public predictions much, especially as strong as I did on him, due to the "backfire" effect.

Who knows, I might have just reverse-mojo'd the kid into the HOF.  :p

#100 · Feb 27, 4:19 PM
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@"MarkSP18" said:
@"MaroonBells" said:
@"supafreak84" said: https://youtu.be/K2oSbwycSik
Interesting take in favor of Will Levis 
And he doesn't even mention one of the biggest factors. Levis played in a pro style offense. What you saw him do this year and last was very similar to what he'll be asked to do in the NFL. 

And unlike most college QBs who get shell-shocked by the amount of pressure and tight passing windows, Levis has been dealing with this for the last two years. 



Not only did he play in a pro style offense, his OC/QB coach was Liam Coan who was the assistant QB coach for the Rams under O'Connell.  If you check videos of Levis, there will be many bad ones from those that do not like him, but what he does well and will have to do in the NFL is throw from an imperfect pocket.  He makes tons of throws under duress.

#101 · Feb 27, 4:33 PM
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