Tai Felton

JimmyinSD wrote:

the hand wringing stems from one or two posters wanting to take our 3rd round pick,  add  in 1 or 2 early round picks next year to move up in this years draft to take one of the falling RBs,  and then apparently some idiot had the audacity to say fuck no to the notion and thought it better to save the early round 26 picks for 26 draft so we dont once again find ourselves without a decent amount of quality picks in 2 consecutive drafts.

I think that that the hand wringing is more about not drafting a RB in an epic RB class. I don't have an issue with it as the team had numerous positions to fill & only 5 draft picks, but I can see the viewpoint of fans who want to criticize the team for not even taking a swing.

[quote="JustInTime" pid="251110" dateline="1745842663"]

37 page pinned thread on RBs leads me to believe many were interested in going RB in the draft. I’d say “some” were pretty concerned if not excited about the prospect of having a replacement in hand for Aaron Jones, injury insurance for Mason, and god help us if Chandler has to take significant snaps, especially because he’s proven to be hot garbage in pass protection. But, yeah let’s be a couple bad breaks away from a street FA leading our rushing game. Seems prudent. :dodgy:
[/quote]

....and you could be right, Minnesota may very well have wanted to get a RB but they just couldn't make it happen. I'm sure that happens every year to every team. Not sure it was 'prudent', but I certainly can't say that behind the scenes the brass weren't interested in getting a RB. But the bottom line is they didn't.....so that's why I'm not sure prudent is the right word. Nor why would how many pinned RB thread there are be of any significance to anything? Also, its April 28th.....I'm sure they'll find someone to fill the room out in the next 4 months for RB3. Hell, the team just got QB2 two days ago.

Waterboy wrote:

Man, you can sure see into the future well. lol  I mean there's no way we can swing a trade, make a free agency signing, or draft a good RB in rd 2.   Geesus, are you serious?   But every team will know that, so I'm sure they'll screw us from doing all those multiple avenues as well.

Some folks are playing chess, others checkers. Or eating glue lol. :cool:

I guess I don’t see any evidence that the Vikings wanted a RB out of the draft. I don’t see any evidence that the Vikings will want to draft a RB high in 2026. I don’t even think there’s compelling evidence that KOC wants to run the ball at a significant percentage because other teams are running the ball “a lot”. While I think it’s clear that KOC wants to get better at running the ball, I don’t think it’s really clear if the plan is to run better via upgrading the RB room. Like he clearly expressed his desire to upgrade the IOL. I haven’t heard any similar comments regarding the RB room, and they already upgraded the RB room once this offseason, and if they wanted to, they could have drafted Skattebo instead of Felton and they could have traded up or down to pick a RB in the first if they wanted to.

I think KOC wants to be multiple. I don’t think he wants to get shoe-horned into one offensive style anymore because of personnel limitations. KOC loves to pass. KOC is much better at pass play designs than he is as run play designs. KOC has historically passed a lot in every year he’s been here. I think he’s sick of being a finesse team and doesn’t want to be forced to pass because of their inability to run. I think he wants to have a dominant OLine, and he’ll figure out the RB room on a year to year basis. I think while we want to have the ability to run the ball, we’re still going to be a pass first team and I’ll be surprised if we have any games with over 50% run-pass ratio after the first 6 games of the season, unless we’re up by a ton and running the ball to burn clock.

StickierBuns wrote:

lol, paste maybe! ;)

God I remember some kids in Kindergarten went crazy for Elmer's glue. JFC.

I believe several dined on rubber cement.

[quote="MaroonBells" pid="251119" dateline="1745846564"]

For a team that wants to run the ball, something's missing.
[/quote]

What's missing? So you don't like AJ or Mason then by what you are saying? 1 fringe RB signed as an UDFA speaks volumes as well. My guess and the whole point is I'm quite certain another RB will be added at some point. I think the better question is why don't you like AJ or Mason on a much improved O-line?

JustInTime wrote:

It bears repeating. Eagles ran 600 times last year. Only team to run more than 50% of the time. 4 teams ran over 500 times last year, all made the playoffs. No one ran 500 times in 2023. 19 teams ran more than they did in 2023. 

Is that trend clear enough for everybody? Questions? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

Watershed year for RBs.

O moving towards more runs (or maybe KOC saying we now have the personnel to open the entire playbook means more 4 and 5 WR sets. Somehow I don’t think that’s the case  :rolleyes: )

First year QB coming from a pro style run heavy offense in college.

And we’re a hamstring and turf toe away from heavy doses of Ty Chandler and a street FA. 

Oh, something is definitely missing.

Never suggested day 1. Late day 2 early day 3. Comp pick range. Maybe you keep it real and don’t misquote me? :dodgy: I guess obvious sarcasm exceeds your grasp?

as others noted ( i didnt personally check their math), it would have taken day 1 or early day 2 picks to make the moves that you or others were calling for.

and your sarcasm doesnt translate well to the written word,  perhaps its your condescending replies throughout the weekend to those that dared suggest a different approach?

I apologize if I have missed your sarcasm, lots of shit flying fast and furious on draft weekend to try and read intent.

JimmyinSD wrote:

as others noted ( i didnt personally check their math), it would have taken day 1 or early day 2 picks to make the moves that you or others were calling for.

and your sarcasm doesnt translate well to the written word,  perhaps its your condescending replies throughout the weekend to those that dared suggest a different approach?

I apologize if I have missed your sarcasm,  lots of shit flying fast and furious on draft weekend to try and read intent.

That’s interesting. I was texting with a couple buddies during the draft. Hardly spent any time on the board. Oh well. Maybe it’s just the Spectre of me. Lol. maybe keep throwing stuff against the wall and something will stick. Whatever man.

Wait people are upset we didn’t blow an early pick on running back? Wut

[quote="JimmyinSD" pid="251162" dateline="1745857198"]

and any RB that you drafted by moving up with next years 1st or 2nd rounders could blow out a knee in camp,  or get run off the road by a crazy drunk bitch in a fit of rage... [b]the hypotheticals can go both ways[/b].  we didnt have the draft capital this year to make the moves they wanted if they really wanted a RB,  so why the rush to hamstring the draft next year to take a player in the later rounds this year that they may not have liked as much?
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Yeah, I don't get the angst about a potential injury. That applies to any starter....or any draft pick they select. Injuries always are bad news, you just never know how it'll go down each year. 

2026 = more draft capital + more potential to move up possibly = getting a stud RB. Vikings obviously found much better value and higher rated players at various positions this year than RB. Doesn't seem that complicated JMO. I totally am on board for a stud RB to pair with JJM, just next year.

Bunsen82 wrote:

You just named 2 teams that have more talent than they have available spots.  You don't think Vikings could trade a late round draft pick or just pick off of waivers if they want one?   We are really solid for our #1 and #2 backs,  we are quibbling about our #3 back and our long term solutions.

Wow, yeah, that this has turned into a multi-page tussle over the course of the day is...I'll just say predictable? LOL. But I disagree that we are solid with our #1 and #2 backs. We went into last year with our guard up given Aaron Jones' age and injury history. We got a good year out of him though, so here we are a year later and everyone seems to have forgotten who he is. He's had 2 healthy seasons in 8...and he's a year older.

There are a few people who think it may have been a good idea to take a back with that 3rd rounder instead of another WR. I agree with those people. A lot of pretty good backs were still on the board. The good news is that I doubt we're done. We just don't have the numbers.

I don't know much about Felton outside of what I saw on the draft and read here, but I've been telling everyone leading up to the draft that you could make a case for drafting a receiver early so the pick didn't surprise me. I've never liked the depth behind Jefferson and Addison. Nailer has been the epitome of injury prone and is going into the last year of his contract and I don't know how much you can rely on Rondale Moore coming off that injury. It was a position that needed to be bolstered and we'll see what the kids got.

supafreak84 wrote:
I don't know much about Felton outside of what I saw on the draft and read here, but I've been telling everyone leading up to the draft that you could make a case for drafting a receiver early so the pick didn't surprise me. I've never liked the depth behind Jefferson and Addison. Nailer has been the epitome of injury prone and is going into the last year of his contract and I don't know how much you can rely on Rondale Moore coming off that injury. It was a position that needed to be bolstered and we'll see what the kids got.

Didn't know anything about Felton until we drafted him, but he looks like he could be a helluva player. The people who believe in him REALLY believe in him. I've heard he has to clean up some catch-point issues, but if he does, he could be another Diggs or Addison. I feel pretty confident in KOC and McCardell's ability to identify good receivers. And historically, the Vikings seem to have a knack for drafting good WRs.

JustInTime wrote:
That’s interesting. I was texting with a couple buddies during the draft. Hardly spent any time on the board. Oh well. Maybe it’s just the Spectre of me. Lol. maybe keep throwing stuff against the wall and something will stick. Whatever man.

[quote="JimmyinSD" pid="251171" dateline="1745858744"]

the hand wringing stems from one or two posters wanting to take our 3rd round pick,  add  in 1 or 2 early round picks next year to move up in this years draft to take one of the falling RBs,  and then apparently some idiot had the audacity to say fuck no to the notion and thought it better to save the early round 26 picks for 26 draft so we dont once again find ourselves without a decent amount of quality picks in 2 consecutive drafts.
[/quote]

Sometimes, those that follow the Draft VERY closely, follow college players, eat/sleep mocks, player profiles, etc. get very enamored with their own personal assessments and strategies. Then it becomes 'the team didn't do what I thought they should' and their favorite team's Draft becomes disappointing or lesser-than. And I think you lose some objectivity in that process. Plus, you can get your opinions validated online as someone is going to agree with you, compared to admitting that maybe...just maybe....that individual person might not always be right...no matter how much you research players. Inexact science. Plus the echo chamber effect is always a factor. 

I do enjoy hearing other opinions on players and strategy. Very good information here on this board for the Draft. But you can't marry a player, position or a strategy.

[quote="JustInTime" pid="251184" dateline="1745862293"]

Some folks are playing chess, others checkers. Or eating glue lol. :cool:
[/quote]

lol, paste maybe! ;)

God I remember some kids in Kindergarten went crazy for Elmer's glue. JFC.

MaroonBells wrote:

Didn't know anything about Felton until we drafted him, but he looks like he could be a helluva player. The people who believe in him REALLY believe in him. I've heard he has to clean up some catch-point issues, but if he does, he could be another Diggs or Addison. I feel pretty confident in KOC and McCardell's ability to identify good receivers. And historically, the Vikings seem to have a knack for drafting good WRs.

Another reason they might have chosen to go receiver early is because there are some early concerns that next years WR crop is not a good one.

MaroonBells wrote:

Didn't know anything about Felton until we drafted him, but he looks like he could be a helluva player. The people who believe in him REALLY believe in him. I've heard he has to clean up some catch-point issues, but if he does, he could be another Diggs or Addison. I feel pretty confident in KOC and McCardell's ability to identify good receivers. And historically, the Vikings seem to have a knack for drafting good WRs.

Appreciate that bruv

supafreak84 wrote:

Another reason they might have chosen to go receiver early is because there are some early concerns that next years WR crop is not a good one.

That's what they said about the orange crop, but it was fine and Louis and Billy Ray made a fortune.

A lot of hand wringing over not taking a #3 running back because we're "only 2 injuries away from featuring Ty Chandler". The reality is that we're only 2 injuries from playing Nailer, Rondale Moore and Lucky Jackson / Thayer as our WRs without taking Felton. That should strike the fear of God into the opposition. That's hardly a way to treat the young QB. RBs are easier to pick up during the season if the injury bug hits. Rodgers is listed as the #1 KR right now which makes Chandler expendable. I know they also worked Felton out as a returner during his visit. This fresh crop of RBs will put someone on the street. Hopefully, the team upgrades the #3 option at RB. Frankly, I'd rather have Cam Akers back instead of Chandler. Should sign him now as he's a FA...otherwise we may have to trade for him a third time...lol.

badgervike wrote:
A lot of hand wringing over not taking a #3 running back because we're "only 2 injuries away from featuring Ty Chandler".  The reality is that we're only 2 injuries from playing Nailer, Rondale Moore and Lucky Jackson / Thayer as our WRs without taking Felton.  That should strike the fear of God into the opposition.  That's hardly a way to treat the young QB.  RBs are easier to pick up during the season if the injury bug hits.  Rodgers is listed as the #1 KR right now which makes Chandler expendable.  I know they also worked Felton out as a returner during his visit.  This fresh crop of RBs will put someone on the street.  Hopefully, the team upgrades the #3 option at RB.  Frankly, I'd rather have Cam Akers back instead of Chandler.  Should sign him now as he's a FA...otherwise we may have to trade for him a third time...lol.

And while it's true every position is a couple injuries away from predicament, it makes me nervous that that dude at the top of our RB depth chart is injury prone and will be 31 during the playoffs. I agree about Akers. He's just a guy but he knows the offense, he can be trusted in pass pro, and for as long as it seems he's been around, he's only 25.