Random Thoughts Less Than 2 Weeks Out

I agree about traits over production. You're not looking for great college players. You're looking for players who project to be great pros. And production can be misleading due to scheme, opponent, surround. 

The Cards made that mistake with Rosen/Murray. Will they do it again? I think they should trade down and try to get more picks to build their roster. Ideally, another 1st rounder in next year's supposed Festival de las QB. They're in a total rebuild and they need to give their new QB some surround before bringing him on board. 

It's interesting that DJ says "some teams" have Thieneman and EMW over Downs. Curious to see how that plays out.

Woods played at a heavier weight in 25, he played much better in 24….

MaroonBells wrote:
I agree about traits over production. You're not looking for great college players. You're looking for players who project to be great pros. And production can be misleading due to scheme, opponent, surround. 

The Cards made that mistake with Rosen/Murray. Will they do it again? I think they should trade down and try to get more picks to build their roster. Ideally, another 1st rounder in next year's supposed Festival de las QB. They're in a total rebuild and they need to give their new QB some surround before bringing him on board. 

It's interesting that DJ says "some teams" have Thieneman and EMW over Downs. Curious to see how that plays out.

A poster child for traits over production was Danielle Hunter when we drafted him out of LSU.
Outside of those seasons when he was dealing with neck injuries, he's been pretty damn good in the NFL. 
73 sacks, avg 12.16 sacks/season?

Yup agreed. Traits.

The #Vikings have done “a ton of homework” on Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne, @Jordan_Reid mentioned via the @AlecLewisShow.

“He’s somebody that I’ve heard they like quite a bit. Crazy enough, my comp for him is Aaron Jones, so it makes sense.” pic.twitter.com/DxmRMlb4uS

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 10, 2026

This works.

I'd love to get more than that for Greenard and I hate trading him to Philly - how about an AFC team instead?

I'd love to have grabbed a WR day 3 or figured out a way to acquire Delp..But yah, overall that would be a hella haul draft on paper.

purplefaithful wrote:
I'd love to get more than that for Greenard and I hate trading him to Philly - how about an AFC team instead?

I'd love to have grabbed a WR day 3 or figured out a way to acquire Delp..But yah, overall that would be a hella haul draft on paper.

Eagles are the team most frequently mentioned so I just went with that. Chiefs apparently are interested too. 

JMG might be almost as good of a prospect as Delp. We shall see.

We’ve been through hell and back health wise this spring. I haven’t looked at more than 2-3 mock drafts and couldn’t name more the 2-3 athletes that’ll get drafted this year.

The 2026 Vikings could make the 2022 draft look like a raging success and I wouldn’t know any better.

Rather then dig into it with two weeks to go. I’m going to take the blue pill and remain in the matrix this spring.

I’ll let yall tell me if I should be happy

JustInTime wrote:

Eagles are the team most frequently mentioned so I just went with that. Chiefs apparently are interested too. 

JMG might be almost as good of a prospect as Delp. We shall see.

JMG is interesting. He has a weird way of running with his head down. Love the size and speed tho. 

I like stacking up on day-two picks. Every time I do a mock, I struggle to meet need and value at 18, but at 49 I keep wanting to trade down due to all the great players I want between 50 and 100. In a lot of ways, those day-two picks are going to be more interesting than the 1st rounder. I like that this mock gives us a 4-player injection of top 54 talent for the defense. I think that would make Flo happy.

JustInTime wrote:

Eagles are the team most frequently mentioned so I just went with that. Chiefs apparently are interested too. 

JMG might be almost as good of a prospect as Delp. We shall see.

I've also read the Patriots have shown some interest too...the Vikes should take nothing less than a high round two pick with a lower pick added in.

Agree with this. I get Marvin Harrison Jr. vibes when I watch Tate. Where's the juice? Good receiver. Not saying he'll be bust. He'll be an NFL receiver for 10 years, but my goodness you want more than this from a top 10 pick. 

.@RichCimini warned the #Jets about taking Ohio State WR Carnell Tate at No. 2:

‘Carnell Tate would be a mistake at 2. I’ve talked to a bunch of scouts, he’s just not worth the second pick in the draft. To me, that would be a major reach.’

FULL SHOW: https://t.co/V1EeXZu9lq pic.twitter.com/HjD6QP9OQc

— Jets Collective (@NYJetsHMA) April 12, 2026

I dont know how they wont go with one of the Edge/LB's at 2...

But this is the Jets, maybe they trade out of that spot???

purplefaithful wrote:
I dont know how they wont go with one of the Edge/LB's at 2...

But this is the Jets, maybe they trade out of that spot???

They could. But man they have two 1sts and two 2nds this year, all in the top 44, and then THREE 1sts next year. Unless they like Simpson, I think they're setting themselves up to tap into that 2027 QB class.

MaroonBells wrote:

They could. But man they have two 1sts and two 2nds this year, all in the top 44, and then THREE 1sts next year. Unless they like Simpson, I think they're setting themselves up to tap into that 2027 QB class.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Jets trade that 2nd 1st for draft capital next year.  Like you said, unless they love Simpson, having 2 picks next year to move around, with one of them (Presuming their own) is a top 10 pick.  A trade up to get one of the top QB prospects would be in the cards.

Vikesrock wrote:

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Jets trade that 2nd 1st for draft capital next year.  Like you said, unless they love Simpson, having 2 picks next year to move around, with one of them (Presuming their own) is a top 10 pick.  A trade up to get one of the top QB prospects would be in the cards.

But they've already got THREE 1st rounders next year. There's a rumor they could be interested in trading up with the Commies for Carnell Tate. 16 to 7. They've got a lot of ammo to do so. Adding a guy like Bailey or Reese and then Tate would help them a lot.

MaroonBells wrote:

But they've already got THREE 1st rounders next year. There's a rumor they could be interested in trading up with the Commies for Carnell Tate. 16 to 7. They've got a lot of ammo to do so. Adding a guy like Bailey or Reese and then Tate would help them a lot.

Holy hell, I didn't realize they had already loaded up for 27.  Never mind then.  They can probably draft whomever they want in 27.  My guess is they have all the firepower in world to do that.  To me that makes it less likely they take Simpson in this years draft.  I keep hearing they want to do that from the draft people..(internet people).  Why in the world would you take a flyer on Simpson if you can pretty much ensure you will get one of those guys in 27.

And then, prospect fatigue set in. It’s getting to the point everyone has warts and seems way less than anything solid. 

Bain might do a Sapp like dive based on the latest. Reese doesn’t move his feet well. On and on it goes.

JustInTime wrote:
And then, prospect fatigue set in. It’s getting to the point everyone has warts and seems way less than anything solid. 

Bain might do a Sapp like dive based on the latest. Reese doesn’t move his feet well. On and on it goes.

RE: Bain. “We are concerned about multiple incidents,” another team executive said. “We are waiting for the other shoe.”

I find it hard to believe that NFL teams are just now finding out about this.

MaroonBells wrote:

RE: Bain. “We are concerned about multiple incidents,” another team executive said. “We are waiting for the other shoe.”

I find it hard to believe that NFL teams are just now finding out about this.

They aren’t. The media is. Well sourced leaks. Him and Downs I can see dropping.

JustInTime wrote:

They aren’t. The media is. Well sourced leaks. Him and Downs I can see dropping.

I'd jump all over Downs. I'm a little hesitant on Bain. The super short arms, combined with the awkward fit, combined with the off field stuff and I'm not sure how fast I sprint to the podium if he falls to 18. Is he Kwity Paye or Dwight Freeney? If he does fall and we take him, that probably triggers the Greenard trade on Friday.