Random Draft Thoughts
Just a few thoughts now that I'm looking at the draft more;
- I still firmly believe (unless we trade down) that the first pick is either a receiver or Peter Woods. When I look at this thing and how it's played out this offseason, there is zero chance Kevin OConnell gets caught with his pants down at receiver when he wants to run a ton of multiple receiver formations and throw the ball all over the yard. We lost Nailor, Felton didn't see the field last year, and the cupboard is literally bare behind him. Nevermind that Addison is one bad offseason decision from missing half the year on suspension. There are a trio of receivers projected in that general area that are worth the pick in Jordyn Tyson (who is tremendous but injury concerns), Omar Cooper (Deebo Samuel type), and Denzel Boston (who has drawn Mike Evans comparisons). We were 28th in passing offense last year and loading the cupboard at receiver in an offense where we run multiple receiver formations and gives whomever we have at quarterback the best chance to be successful just makes sense.
- I think Peter Woods is the most Flores-type lineman in this draft and to me, defensive line is a massive need.
- We signed a corner this offseason and to me, with the way Flores operates, that takes corner off the board as a first round need.
- Safety. Even if Smith doesn't return, I feel pretty good going into next year with Mettelus, Jackson and Jay Ward. I still think the longer it goes without hearing anything definitive on Smith, the higher the likelihood the Hitman is back. Safety would still be a need....but not a likely first round need in my opinion.
I'd be pretty happy with something like;
1. Jordyn Tyson, WR
2. Jacob Rodriguez, LB
3. LT Overton, DT
3. Jalen Kilgore, S/CB
If you're into mock draft sites, this might be the best one I've used.
https://draft-simulator.atozsports.com/
Latest Kiper/Miller/Reid/Yates Rds 1-3 mock. I would be shocked on anything but IDL if they stay at 49
============================================================
18. Minnesota Vikings
Miller's pick: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
This might be the second-most-predicted pick in mock drafts behind Mendoza to the Raiders. Thieneman can be a smooth-moving replacement for longtime Vikings safety Harrison Smith.
49. Minnesota Vikings
Kiper's pick: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Aaron Jones Sr. is 31 years old, and Jordan Mason hasn't made the jump to clear RB1. Neither is signed beyond 2026. And Price is a powerful runner with enough speed to cut and go.
82. Minnesota Vikings
Miller's pick: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
Ryan Kelly's retirement this offseason leaves an opening at center. Lew is coming off an ACL injury but has high-end starter traits.
97. Minnesota Vikings*
Kiper's pick: De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
The Jalen Nailor role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is open for applicants in the Minnesota offense, and Stribling is fresh off his second straight 800-plus-yard season.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
Latest Kiper/Miller/Reid/Yates Rds 1-3 mock. I would be shocked on anything but IDL if they stay at 49============================================================
18. Minnesota Vikings
Miller's pick: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
This might be the second-most-predicted pick in mock drafts behind Mendoza to the Raiders. Thieneman can be a smooth-moving replacement for longtime Vikings safety Harrison Smith.49. Minnesota Vikings
Kiper's pick: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Aaron Jones Sr. is 31 years old, and Jordan Mason hasn't made the jump to clear RB1. Neither is signed beyond 2026. And Price is a powerful runner with enough speed to cut and go.82. Minnesota Vikings
Miller's pick: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
Ryan Kelly's retirement this offseason leaves an opening at center. Lew is coming off an ACL injury but has high-end starter traits.97. Minnesota Vikings*
Kiper's pick: De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
The Jalen Nailor role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is open for applicants in the Minnesota offense, and Stribling is fresh off his second straight 800-plus-yard season.
I like all of these players, but damn, my kingdom for a DT. I love Stribling, but every day I get more and more intrigued by Bryce Lance.
supafreak84 wrote:
You have to look at the board and what makes sense under the circumstances. We can all agree that defensive line is a huge need and Peter Woods is probably the only guy out of that top group who really fits what we know of Flores and what his preferences are. You just don't take safety with the 18th pick and I personally believe Smith is coming back. So where does that leave us at #18? You can absolutely make a strong case for taking a receiver;
- Regardless of them picking up the 5th year option on Addison, it doesn't take receiver out of play because of the multiple receiver sets we know OConnell wants to run. It gives you the option to not sign Addison to an extension either because of the money or you just don't trust him.
- Injury insurance
- Nobody has any idea what Tai Felton is at this point, but he didn't see the field last year and based on prior Kwesi drafts, you'd have to think the chances of him developing into a reliable contributer....probably arent good. If he's a bust, there is nobody in the pipeline behind him. This is the major sticking point in my theory is we just don't know how the organization feels about Felton as a prospect moving forward, but if they are ready to shitcan McCarthy after ten games, you'd have to believe they'd have zero problem going in another direction at receiver, which is a hugely important position in the OConnell offense.
- I think any one of Tyson, Boston or Cooper are significantly better prospects and would upgrade our multi-receiver sets substantially. Remember some guy named Randy Moss and the impact he had in the "3 deep" squad. Turning a strength into a super power would absolutely have to intrigue OConnell going into a "must win" year for him.
I guess we'll find out in a few weeks
If they draft a stud WR I certainly won't complain but there's still some warm bodies the Vikes can bring in cheap to fill the WR3 spot between now and Week 1 if need be. DeAndre Hopkins, Josh Reynolds, Keenan Allen, etc.
Definitely not as exciting as a rookie stud but I just don't see how WR3 contributes in an offense that threw for 3,000 yds last year. PEAK Kyler never crossed 4,000. Maybe this year he does but even still...
If the team hadn't foolishly (IMO) kept TJH around and I thought we were going to tweak the offense away from TE sets, then I'd be more on board with WR over DEF.
purplefaithful wrote:
Latest Kiper/Miller/Reid/Yates Rds 1-3 mock. I would be shocked on anything but IDL if they stay at 49============================================================
18. Minnesota Vikings
Miller's pick: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
This might be the second-most-predicted pick in mock drafts behind Mendoza to the Raiders. Thieneman can be a smooth-moving replacement for longtime Vikings safety Harrison Smith.49. Minnesota Vikings
Kiper's pick: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Aaron Jones Sr. is 31 years old, and Jordan Mason hasn't made the jump to clear RB1. Neither is signed beyond 2026. And Price is a powerful runner with enough speed to cut and go.82. Minnesota Vikings
Miller's pick: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
Ryan Kelly's retirement this offseason leaves an opening at center. Lew is coming off an ACL injury but has high-end starter traits.97. Minnesota Vikings*
Kiper's pick: De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
The Jalen Nailor role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is open for applicants in the Minnesota offense, and Stribling is fresh off his second straight 800-plus-yard season.
I would absolutely love this draft with one exception.. I would take Hurst at 97
pattersaur wrote:
If they draft a stud WR I certainly won't complain but there's still some warm bodies the Vikes can bring in cheap to fill the WR3 spot between now and Week 1 if need be. DeAndre Hopkins, Josh Reynolds, Keenan Allen, etc.
Definitely not as exciting as a rookie stud but I just don't see how WR3 contributes in an offense that threw for 3,000 yds last year. PEAK Kyler never crossed 4,000. Maybe this year he does but even still...
If the team hadn't foolishly (IMO) kept TJH around and I thought we were going to tweak the offense away from TE sets, then I'd be more on board with WR over DEF.
Those bodies are just barely warm at this point. I just keep going back to the year end press conference and that its a well known fact that OConnell wants to run multi receiver sets a majority of the time and there is zero chance he gets caught with his pants down at receiver in a "must win" year for him. If they aren't confident in Felton being a reliable contributer (which is very possible) or someone that can start (in case of injury) it leaves us with Jefferson, Addison, and a cast of UFL retreads as far as the eye can see. If OConnell is calling the shots, it would have to be a special, special defensive player on the board for him to pass over the likes of those receiver prospects I mentioned.
I think KOC is jonesing for one of those C's tbh...
Poor drafting has resulted in lots of needs on this team, last years FA duds just added to the problem.
It shouldn't be hard to find a home for these rooks, wherever they play.
=============================================
Blake Brandel is a center, but maybe not the center
The departure of Garrett Bradbury after the 2024 season and the retirement of Ryan Kelly last month will leave the Vikings with a new starting center for the third consecutive season.
Based on conversations in Phoenix, the best way to describe the position is that it's in flux. O'Connell has made one important decision by declaring Brandel -- who has played all five offensive line positions -- a center for the purposes of this offseason and likely for the 2026 season, as well.
It seems premature to call him the likely starter, however. O'Connell talked extensively about Brandel when asked generally about the position, saying he has "some pretty unique athleticism in his lower half that really bodes well for him to be able to get to the second level on different angles and get to different defenders." But the coach also noted the presence of 2024 seventh-round pick Michael Jurgens and, notably, said he "wouldn't hesitate" to add another center via late-spring/early summer free agency or in the draft if the opportunity presents itself.
At 6-foot-6, Brandel doesn't have the typical build as a center. Last season, a center 6-6 or taller started roughly 25% of NFL games.
Brandel has spent most of his six-year career as a backup tackle and guard, with one season as a full-time starter in 2024. He played center last season only because Kelly and Jurgens were injured. Players with similar profiles don't often emerge as long-term starters at this point in their careers, especially at a new position. The Vikings consider Brandel an option but not necessarily an ideal one.
ESPN
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.