Vikings Draft Pick

[thatoneguy]

If the Vikes can stay sucky enough to be in position to draft Kalil (and there's every reason to believe they will), that would be a dream come true. He's a future All-Pro and would be a starter on their line from day one.

After that, you can take your pick of what hole to fill first. The O-line needs more work, the whole defensive backfield is a trainwreck, and will need to be addressed through both free agency and the draft, the LB core is OK at the starting positions but has little depth, and they certainly need another talented WR to play opposite Harvin (especially given his oft-injured nature).

@labs4me - Ponder has outplayed McNabb in every way, and has done so as a rookie and without AP for the last two games. He has shown a willingness (and ability) to throw downfield accurately, to make good decisions on 3rd down, and has mobility to keep plays alive and pick up first downs with his feet. And again, he's done this as a raw rookie who didn't even get the benefit of the full offseason program. The rook has thrown for almost 50% more yards and more than twice as many TDs in the same number of games.

Ponder has also made some very poor decisions (e.g. the two picks on Sunday), but that happens when you're a rookie. And it happens more when you're a rookie with almost no playmakers around you and a gawdawful offensive line.

I'll be the first to admit I savaged the Vikes when they picked Ponder, as I didn't think he had the arm strength to cut it in the NFL, and I underestimated his athleticism. He may not ever be a top-3 QB in the NFL, but there's a great chance he'll be one of the top eight or ten, and that's enough to build a winner around.

[B. Amish]

the problem is aren't the vikings notorious for picking the 'best available player' and not picking based on need.

[Scott K]

If the Vikes stay in the top 2 positions, they will be in good shape. The Colts assuming will draft Luck, for a backup replacement of Manning, which would leave us with Matt Kalil. If for some reason the Colts dont draft Luck, I say we have to take him, not for need, but to trade the pick/Luck. If by some dumb luck we end up winning a game this year yet, and we dont draft til #3, which as of right now we are in line for, and Luck and Kalil are off the board, we draft WR Justin Blackmon.

Best case scenario, Luck is still on the board when we draft, and we trade the pick, and pick up a couple first round picks. This will help us in the rebuilding process and maybe get us to a competitive team in a couple years. Otherwise we best just keep the pick and fill a need on our team with the best player on the board.

[2k1stang]

Interesting news regarding Kalil.

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13682485/33752962

[toughguy]

That sucks about Kalil. Sounds like we'll be looking at CB now

[nofishfisherman]

Best case scenario, Luck is still on the board when we draft, and we trade the pick, and pick up a couple first round picks. This will help us in the rebuilding process and maybe get us to a competitive team in a couple years. Otherwise we best just keep the pick and fill a need on our team with the best player on the board.

I'd say there is zero percent chance that Luck is on the board when we pick. If the Colts don't intend to draft Luck why wouldn't they trade down themselves instead of letting us do it? Someone will be willing to over pay to take over the #1 spot in order to draft Luck.

[Scott K]

I dont think the Colts pass on him, with the chances of Peyton not ever playing again, I cant imagine them passing.

[hoytshooter]

I would really like to see the vikes work on there secondary. by drafting someone like the "honey badger" tyrann mathieu. one of the best cornerbacks and punt returners out there. and he is a Heisman nominee

[Midnight1890]

Mathieu has TROUBLE written all over him. He is one heck of a football player but not sure he will be able to stay on the field, he was suspended by LSU, no one gets suspended at LSU!

[Scott K]

The draft is filled full of good CB's, and we could easily pick up a good one in the second or third round. We need to fill our O-line needs early, if not then go after the talent of WR with our first pick, IMO

[LABS4ME]

Word is Luck is letting it be known that he WILL NOT play for the Colts. His feeling is Manning will come back to play and he does not want to be a 3 year project. He wants to start immediatley...

This draft will get interesting! Other good Left Tackles out there for the Vikes... leave the DBs for the Packers! We need them too!

Good Luck!

Ken

[hoytshooter]

i know mathieu has seen his fair share of off field trouble but he is one heck of a ball player. WR's drafted in the first round have a very long history of being busts. the vikes have never been real outstanding when it comes to drafting players.

[koonie]

Mathieu isn't even draft eligible.

Claiborne is a much better prospect anyway(top 5 prospect). If Cook comes back then Kirkpatrick(sp) would be a nice pick to pair up with him. Only if we trade down though.

[2k1stang]

Interesting news regarding Kalil.

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13682485/33752962

Apparently he can't make up his mind. I can't find anything official, but Chris Mortensen Tweeted this.

"USC T Matt Kalil has decided to turn pro, per sources. Projected as top-5 pick; premier LT prospect. No word on Barkley."

Edit: Here's an actual story regarding Kalil.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nfl/story...-2012-nfl-draft

[Scott K]

Quote:

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports USC LT Matt Kalil will enter the 2012 NFL draft, forgoing his senior season.

The brother of Panthers center Ryan is considered a legit top-five prospect as a prototypical blindside protector. The 6'7/295 Kalil didn't allow a sack all season, anchoring an offensive line that boasted the lowest sack total in the nation. Trojans QB Matt Barkley has yet to declare for the draft, though his decision shouldn't be far behind.

[Scott K]

I would suppose Kalil seen that the Vikings will be in line to draft him, so he re entered the draft. I am sure blocking for someone like Peterson has to be any linemens dream.

[LMITOUT]

If the Vikings can't even get players who are on other team's practice squads to sign, how long before their draft picks choose the Arena League over playing for them.

[simple1]

Lets wait until we see some draft grades on these players. And even then, the Vikings need to take the best player available this is how good teams draft. If you reach for a need you will get burned. If a need is the best player available.... great. I do agree that if you can draft down and get another pick it can be a good idea.

As far as trading AP, well running backs can hit a wall with little notice and the team has to decide how far away they feel they are from contending. If you feel you will be in contention soon, keep AP if you think you are 2 years away.....TRADE.

Simple1

[Scott M]

Well, the Colts' Suck for Luck campaign has gone horribly wrong, winning two straight. Vikings are right back in the sweepstakes. Now they need the Rams to win because the Rams have a lighter strength of schedule and would win the tiebreaker.

[LMITOUT]

All the Colts have to do is lose at Jax and they clinch the #1 pick.

Rams final two games: Pitt and SF.

Vikings final two games: Wash and Chicago

Hmmm.

The Rams might have this all wrapped up!

[Scott M]

This was published at NFL.com before the Colts won last night:

The Colts no longer can match the 2008 Lions and their 0-16 futility. But they still remain front-runners in the race for the No. 1 overall draft pick.

If the Colts lose to the 10-4 Texans in Thursday night's NFL Network game, the lowest they can pick in the 2012 NFL Draft is second overall, and that would be based upon losing a coin toss for the No. 1 selection. The coin toss would be between the Colts and Vikings.

Of course, as the NFL's sole one-win team, the Colts control their own destiny (so to speak). A loss in each of their final two games would assure them of the No. 1 pick.

The Vikings and the Rams are both 2-12, making them the only other teams mathematically alive for the No. 1 pick.

Here's a breakdown on some of the nitty-gritty tiebreaker details, thanks to the NFL Network research staff:

» When there is a tie for draft order, the first tiebreaker is strength of schedule, with the team with the easier (lower) strength of schedule picking first.

» If the Colts lose to the Texans, the best their strength of schedule could be at the end of the season is .5469.

» If the Vikings lose their final two games, the worst their strength of schedule could be also is .5469.

» The Rams' strength of schedule could be at worst .5586, so they cannot land the No. 1 pick if the Colts lose a 14th game because Indy's best strength of schedule would be lower than the worst possible for St. Louis.

» The only other tiebreakers for draft order apply to teams in the same division or conference, which the Colts and Vikings are not. What this means is if any of the Colts' unique opponents (teams who didn't also play the Vikings) lose or any of the Vikings' unique opponents win, then Indy will lock up the No. 1 pick. It will just take one loss by a Colts unique opponents or one win by a Vikings unique opponent.

[Scott M]

ESPN news

The suddenly surging Indianapolis Colts are guaranteed to have the No. 1 overall draft pick should they lose their final game of the season.

Kiper: Top 10 Draft-Pick Scenarios

Based on needs and the current Big Board prospect rankings, what kind of decisions would teams be facing in the draft started today? Mel Kiper breaks it down a day after Matt Barkley said he's staying at USC. Story Insider

The Colts started 0-13 but their second straight win was a stunner, 19-16 over the AFC South champion Houston Texans on Thursday.

Still, if Indianapolis loses at Jacksonville on Jan. 1, they would finish with at least a share of the league's worst record at 2-14 and have the top pick in the draft by virtue of strength-of-schedule tiebreaker.

Both St. Louis and Minnesota are 2-12 heading into Saturday's games, but the Colts' .547 strength-of-schedule percentage is going to only worsen after playing the 4-10 Jaguars. The Rams' percentage is .587 and the Vikings' .587.

If the Colts beat Jacksonville and the Rams and Vikings lose their last two, the Colts would not get the top pick. If the Colts beat the Jags and St. Louis and Minnesota also finish 3-13, the No. 1 pick would go to the Colts.

Minnesota has games left at Washington (5-9) and at home against Chicago (7-7), and St. Louis finishes at Pittsburgh (10-4) and at home against San Francisco (11-3).

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Not going to be the Vikings without some serous help. Too bad they didn't play the Cards later in the year and that the Panthers played so poorly.

[Scott K]

As cool as it would be for the Vikings to draft #1 and pick Luck, then they will have the drastic decision to either keep him, or trade him away to the highest bidder. And it really wouldnt matter wich one the Vikings did, it would be the wrong decision either way. If we kept him, he would end up a bust, if we traded him, he will be the next Manning. I personally think he is way over rated, and possibly the 2nd to 4th best QB in the draft. But that is just my opinion, and I am usually wrong.

[reinhard1]

i believe the Saints starting QB was drafted first in the second round and the Packers starting QB was not a no. one draft choice also. Both are the best in the NFL. the Vikes are not going to get the no. one anyway, so it's pointless. they do however will get a high choice [first time in years that i can remember], second or third.

there are like 28 free agent wide recievers available but only one offensive lineman i hear. anyway, it will be important what they do in the free agent market along with the draft and trades. the colts said even if they get Luck he will be watching Manning unless he gets injured and wait his turn. good luck.

[Dave S]

I can see Peterson being traded off as well as Webb. Wouldn't break my heart to see the Henderson brothers get dealt as well.