NFL Draft Talk

@"supafreak84" said: On the wide receivers, it's a little tough for me to rank them this year. Johnson is intriguing from a size perspective, but he was really feast or famine, and when he'd feast, it was on the likes of Kansas and Oklahoma State. He broke one long one in the playoffs against Michigan but otherwise was held to one catch for 3 yards against Georgia in the championship. Addison's never really impressed me and looks like a Nepson Agholor type player. Zay Flowers looks like Tavon Austin, whose biggest contributions might be as a kick returner. Smith Njigba is a really good player, but he's a move the chains, possession receiver. I've got Hyatt number 1 because he has the one thing that can't be taught, and that's blow by speed to take the top off a defense and keep them honest. Blew up the SEC and when you see him run by LSU and Bama guys like they are playing in mud, that's impressive. 15 TD's on the year and has the numbers to show he's not a one trick pony. 

I like Hyatt and, for now, have him just below the top tier. But I could change my mind. The speed is ridiculous. My concern is that he's Mike Wallace or Will Fuller. Hard to see from youtube clips if he has the strength, release, routes it takes to be effective underneath. Not saying he can't, just don't see it much. They said Moss would struggle in press. Nope. 

He's definitely worth watching more of since a field stretcher seems to be the kind of receiver this offense needs most. 

I think worst case with Hyatt is you are getting Ted Ginn Jr, which is pretty good. I've seen Hyatt take bubble screens, short slants, and plays where they set him in motion in the backfield to free him up on a short TD toss. I think he is more then the "one trick pony" some have labeled him. I think all these guys have warts, so if I know that going in I'm taking the guy with the most beneficial skillset and that's Hyatt 
https://youtu.be/Imfl_N9WgKo

I'd prefer the Viking add a veteran corner to this group, but if we don't, the draft is loaded with them. Seems to me the peak value for corners is maybe between 20 and 50. This year you could get a corner in the middle of the 2nd round who would typically be a mid-to-late 1st rounder. If they aren't able to sign one, don't be surprised if the Vikings trade down a couple times. 

This CB class is LOADED🔥 pic.twitter.com/d4b6JWMXoi

— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 2, 2023

@"MaroonBells" said: I'd prefer the Viking add a veteran corner to this group, but if we don't, the draft is loaded with them. Seems to me the peak value for corners is maybe between 20 and 50. This year you could get a corner in the middle of the 2nd round who would typically be a mid-to-late 1st rounder. If they aren't able to sign one, don't be surprised if the Vikings trade down a couple times. 

This CB class is LOADED🔥 pic.twitter.com/d4b6JWMXoi

— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 2, 2023

A trade back might irk some fans after last year's draft night-- especially after seeing the early returns on McDuffie and Hamilton-- but if the Vikings are targeting CB it might be the right move. I'd be cool with that. Could make sense for the WR position too, depending on when that run starts.

@"pattersaur" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: I'd prefer the Viking add a veteran corner to this group, but if we don't, the draft is loaded with them. Seems to me the peak value for corners is maybe between 20 and 50. This year you could get a corner in the middle of the 2nd round who would typically be a mid-to-late 1st rounder. If they aren't able to sign one, don't be surprised if the Vikings trade down a couple times. 

This CB class is LOADED🔥 pic.twitter.com/d4b6JWMXoi

— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 2, 2023

A trade back might irk some fans after last year's draft night-- especially after seeing the early returns on McDuffie and Hamilton-- but if the Vikings are targeting CB it might be the right move. I'd be cool with that. Could make sense for the WR position too, depending on when that run starts.

Here is my argument against drafting a cornerback. Fixing our problems in the secondary might actually already be fixed, and it might be as easy as our young players simply staying healthy and the scheme changing under Flores. I'd be more than willing to see what we have for this season at the position before using another early round pick, and that's despite the quality depth at the position in this draft. 
I'd much rather spend the pick on say a receiver, who regardless of Thielen is going to be a huge need. We can not fall off on offense and allow teams to do what the Giants did, and that was essentially doubling JJ and making the other receivers beat them...which we couldn't do. Teams are absolutely going to do everything they can to take away Jefferson without a threat opposite him. If my choice at #23 is between Hyatt and say the 4th CB on the board, it's an easy choice and I'm taking Hyatt every time. 

@"supafreak84" said:

Here is my argument against drafting a cornerback. Fixing our problems in the secondary might actually already be fixed, and it might be as easy as our young players simply staying healthy and the scheme changing under Flores. I'd be more than willing to see what we have for this season at the position before using another early round pick, and that's despite the quality depth at the position in this draft.  I'd much rather spend the pick on say a receiver, who regardless of Thielen is going to be a huge need. We can not fall off on offense and allow teams to do what the Giants did, and that was essentially doubling JJ and making the other receivers beat them...which we couldn't do. Teams are absolutely going to do everything they can to take away Jefferson without a threat opposite him. If my choice at #23 is between Hyatt and say the 4th CB on the board, it's an easy choice and I'm taking Hyatt every time. 

you are a lot more optimistic about our young CBs than I am.  Dantzler has shown some seriously poor decision making at times,  and the rest have only show a flicker of what they can or cant do. Also IMO they are all either to short, to light, or both,  sure they will win some,  but they will also be schemed against as well.  I would like to see the Vikings find some 6-2 guys that are 205-210 that can flip hips as well as stay physical at the LOS,  they shouldnt have to cover speed burners down field as when you get that matchup you have S help, or you should,  but guys that get a good jam at the line to disrupt timing routes, and then have the length and height, to swat a ball away on the routes that they do get targeted on.  the smaller guys can cover,  but like we hear all the time,  at this level everyone is covered,  they need to be able to do the other things I am looking for to be what I would consider fixing the position.

@"pattersaur" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: I'd prefer the Viking add a veteran corner to this group, but if we don't, the draft is loaded with them. Seems to me the peak value for corners is maybe between 20 and 50. This year you could get a corner in the middle of the 2nd round who would typically be a mid-to-late 1st rounder. If they aren't able to sign one, don't be surprised if the Vikings trade down a couple times. 

This CB class is LOADED🔥 pic.twitter.com/d4b6JWMXoi

— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 2, 2023

A trade back might irk some fans after last year's draft night-- especially after seeing the early returns on McDuffie and Hamilton-- but if the Vikings are targeting CB it might be the right move. I'd be cool with that. Could make sense for the WR position too, depending on when that run starts.

I just think at some point you need to sink or swim with the investments you've made and stop drafting the same position all the time, especially when we have half a dozen other holes to fill on the roster. Dantzler has shown flashes, but needs to be more consistent and stay healthy. I like his size, same as Evans, who also flashed before injury. Booth was highly regarded before injury and you have to hope he can finally knock the injury bug. Bring back Duke Shelley to play the slot, and I like our pieces and hope Flores can get the most out of these guys. 

another interesting thing I heard today,  Brandel has done nothing but impress in his 2 years in Minny,  and apparently he played OG in college for a spell,   what about trying him at center?  I honestly dont know enough about the kid except that I have been really happy with his play at OT,  and he is a big ass kid,  but could he take his game inside and fill that need?

Some early combine stuff from GBN;
DT Bresee runs well … We are underway in Indianapolis where the first group of defensive linemen are running their 40s. And Clemson DT Brian Bresee got it off to a nice start as he ran a 4.93 40 with a very quick 1.71 10-yard split. FSU DT Gervan Dexter also ran a 5-flat but wasn’t as quick off the mark with a 1.81 split. Meanwhile, Calijah Kancey also ran real well with a 4.78 40 with a 1.64 split. Of concern with Kancey who actually measured in at 6-1, an inch more than expected, but he has very short (barely 30.5-inches) arms.

Any Iowa fans here? I didn't watch a lot of them this season, but this Van Ness kid is blowing up the Combine. 6'5"/272 with a 34" wingspan and the biggest hands of any defender at 11" inches. Ran a 4.58/40. I watched a little tape on him and wasn't that impressed from what I saw. Maybe I need to go back and look...

@"supafreak84" said:

Any Iowa fans here? I didn't watch a lot of them this season, but this Van Ness kid is blowing up the Combine. 6'5"/272 with a 34" wingspan and the biggest hands of any defender at 11" inches. Ran a 4.58/40. I watched a little tape on him and wasn't that impressed from what I saw. Maybe I need to go back and look...

Van Ness was expected to blow up the combine, which is why he's being projected as a 1st rounder in mocks even though he didn't even start at Iowa.

@"supafreak84" said: Any Iowa fans here? I didn't watch a lot of them this season, but this Van Ness kid is blowing up the Combine. 6'5"/272 with a 34" wingspan and the biggest hands of any defender at 11" inches. Ran a 4.58/40. I watched a little tape on him and wasn't that impressed from what I saw. Maybe I need to go back and look...

Just with my layperson eyes, it seems he's all bull rush. Which is the surest way to bust status as a 1st round DE. 

@"supafreak84" said: Some early combine stuff from GBN;

DT Bresee runs well … We are underway in Indianapolis where the first group of defensive linemen are running their 40s. And Clemson DT Brian Bresee got it off to a nice start as he ran a 4.93 40 with a very quick 1.71 10-yard split. FSU DT Gervan Dexter also ran a 5-flat but wasn’t as quick off the mark with a 1.81 split. Meanwhile, Calijah Kancey also ran real well with a 4.78 40 with a 1.64 split. Of concern with Kancey who actually measured in at 6-1, an inch more than expected, but he has very short (barely 30.5-inches) arms.

Some of the times were insane. DT Adebawore at 6-2, 282, ran 4.49. A DT that runs 4.49. Edge Nolan Smith ran 4.39. Byron Young at 6-2, 250 ran a 4.43. Makes you wonder, are the clocks messed up or do these guys just keep getting bigger, stronger and faster with no end in sight. 

Some amazing combine results so far. Difficult to sift through real treasure and fools gold. Though entertaining, I doubt combine results have much effect on draft boards throughout the league. 

https://walterfootball.com/nflhotpress/article/How-Teams-Currently-View-the-Jalen-Carter-Situation
Some teams eliminating him from their draft boards. I wonder if he would drop to the Vikings pick, and if so, what the Vikings would do. He fits our biggest position of need and is the almost the consensus top player in the draft. We might be faced with Warren Sapp part deaux, whom we passed on 

@"supafreak84" said: https://walterfootball.com/nflhotpress/article/How-Teams-Currently-View-the-Jalen-Carter-Situation

Some teams eliminating him from their draft boards. I wonder if he would drop to the Vikings pick, and if so, what the Vikings would do. He fits our biggest position of need and is the almost the consensus top player in the draft. We might be faced with Warren Sapp part deaux, whom we passed on 

1.  What he did was what about any kid would do in that situation.  Lie to CYA,  how he's acted since then I dont know,  but what kid with a fast car didnt run it once in a while?  Sometimes those things dont end well.  He is facing misdemeanor charges,  as long as he shows contrition and doesnt exhibit that "above the law entitlement" that we see from some high profile athletes... you run that damn card to the podium yourself,  screw the phone system,  I want to see Zygi sprinting through the throngs of other teams fans waving a selection card.

2. No way we see him fall that far, unless there is more to this story than I am aware of at this time,  he still goes top 10, likely top 3.   I am guessing any rumors of him getting dropped from boards is to try and create a situation where GMs or other start to over think a selection and get talked out of making the smart choice.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

Here is my argument against drafting a cornerback. Fixing our problems in the secondary might actually already be fixed, and it might be as easy as our young players simply staying healthy and the scheme changing under Flores. I'd be more than willing to see what we have for this season at the position before using another early round pick, and that's despite the quality depth at the position in this draft.  I'd much rather spend the pick on say a receiver, who regardless of Thielen is going to be a huge need. We can not fall off on offense and allow teams to do what the Giants did, and that was essentially doubling JJ and making the other receivers beat them...which we couldn't do. Teams are absolutely going to do everything they can to take away Jefferson without a threat opposite him. If my choice at #23 is between Hyatt and say the 4th CB on the board, it's an easy choice and I'm taking Hyatt every time. 

you are a lot more optimistic about our young CBs than I am.  Dantzler has shown some seriously poor decision making at times,  and the rest have only show a flicker of what they can or cant do. Also IMO they are all either to short, to light, or both,  sure they will win some,  but they will also be schemed against as well.  I would like to see the Vikings find some 6-2 guys that are 205-210 that can flip hips as well as stay physical at the LOS,  they shouldnt have to cover speed burners down field as when you get that matchup you have S help, or you should,  but guys that get a good jam at the line to disrupt timing routes, and then have the length and height, to swat a ball away on the routes that they do get targeted on.  the smaller guys can cover,  but like we hear all the time,  at this level everyone is covered,  they need to be able to do the other things I am looking for to be what I would consider fixing the position.

@"TBro" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

Here is my argument against drafting a cornerback. Fixing our problems in the secondary might actually already be fixed, and it might be as easy as our young players simply staying healthy and the scheme changing under Flores. I'd be more than willing to see what we have for this season at the position before using another early round pick, and that's despite the quality depth at the position in this draft.  I'd much rather spend the pick on say a receiver, who regardless of Thielen is going to be a huge need. We can not fall off on offense and allow teams to do what the Giants did, and that was essentially doubling JJ and making the other receivers beat them...which we couldn't do. Teams are absolutely going to do everything they can to take away Jefferson without a threat opposite him. If my choice at #23 is between Hyatt and say the 4th CB on the board, it's an easy choice and I'm taking Hyatt every time. 

you are a lot more optimistic about our young CBs than I am.  Dantzler has shown some seriously poor decision making at times,  and the rest have only show a flicker of what they can or cant do. Also IMO they are all either to short, to light, or both,  sure they will win some,  but they will also be schemed against as well.  I would like to see the Vikings find some 6-2 guys that are 205-210 that can flip hips as well as stay physical at the LOS,  they shouldnt have to cover speed burners down field as when you get that matchup you have S help, or you should,  but guys that get a good jam at the line to disrupt timing routes, and then have the length and height, to swat a ball away on the routes that they do get targeted on.  the smaller guys can cover,  but like we hear all the time,  at this level everyone is covered,  they need to be able to do the other things I am looking for to be what I would consider fixing the position.

Of the prospects that fit that profile and have a chance to be there at 23, Deonte Banks of Maryland had a great showing today. 4.35 forty, smooth hip transitions, good in run support. Ringo was also impressive with similar times and measurables. Despite all that, I'm having an internal struggle with wanting to burn another 1st Rounder on a CB when the class is soooo deep and we can get a starter in Day 2 of the draft, especially if we trade down. However, if the CB talent is just that good, it's hard to take a pass on some of these guys who could have a major impact on fixing our defense.