Next years draft?

[Scott K]

We pick 8th. If we stand pat, we will forsure have a good playmaker available to us. Even if it isnt our biggest need.

Here are a list of players that I think will more then likely be top ten, some wont fit our needs, and we wont be drafting them, but teams ahead of us will, and that will lesson the chance of a player we need be taken before us.

Manziel

Bridgewater

Bortles

Watkins

Clowney

Robinson

Mack

Dennard

Barr

Mathews

Taylor

Most draft boards have the 3 QB's gone by the 6th pick. Clowney, Watkins and Robinson gone in the top 5. That still leaves Mack, Barr, and Dennard for us. I honestly think one of them QB's will be there at 8, and we will take him. If not, I would be all over Watkins, or Clowney, or Dennard if they were there at 8. If not, trade down, and see if you cant pick up a mid 1st, and an extra 2nd. There is a lot of decent talent that would be able to be day one starters this coming season in the top 20 picks.

[DrJuice1980]

Barr looked bad today. Mack looked beastly.

[BuckSutherland]

Barr looked bad today. Mack looked beastly.

Heard the same thing about Mack. Also heard about this Aaron Donald from Pitt that wasted everyone at the Senior Bowl. Then I heard he ran like a 4.6 40 as a DT at the combine. There are some real studs in this draft compared to last year. I think as long as we pick in the top 15-20 we get a real good player.

According to the points chart our pick is worth 1400 points. If we traded back to around 16 with Dallas (1000 points) or Jets at 18 (900 points) we would also be able to scoop up something that has the same value as their second round pick. I would be all over that. That would have us pick roughly at 17, 40, and 48. We could get QB, DT, and LB. All 3 would be day one starters.

I dont like the idea of picking at 8, then blowing the rest of our draft to get back into round one and take one of the remaining QBs.

[DrJuice1980]

That kid from Mich. State Max Bullough looked pretty good yesterday too, he was a play maker all year for MSU. I'd really love to see Justin Gilbert in purple. Guy is the kind of stud we need here at corner.

The more and more I watch these defensive guys the more and more I'm liking Mettenberger, Murray, or about 3 -5 others later in the draft. Guys that I was previously not interested in. I think the options for QB later in the draft make the early picks much more important for Defense.

[DrJuice1980]

State of the CB: I'm liking this Gilbert kid more and more I'd even be ok with taking him 8th, hes a difference making guy, a playmaker. If we dont land him I like Fuller as #2. We need one of these 2 guys but Gilbert looks like hands down the best CB available (better than Dennard my #3 or #4).

Lets say there is no trades and we pick 8th, I'd take in order: (if available)

Gilbert

Mack

Donald

One of these 3 will be around and I'd be happy with any. There seems to be a decent amount of talent in this draft class, talent that can carry deep into day 2 for QB, LB, DL. If we pull Gilbert off early at #8 we'll be ok addressing the other needs later.

[BuckSutherland]

Vikings picks this year are:

8 (1)

40 (2)

72 (3)

96(From Seattle for Harvin)-3

104 (4)

136 (5)

168 (6)

199 (7)

Spielman on record saying he wants to move down from 8 and have at least 10 picks total.

[Scott K]

You would waste the #8 pick on Gilbert? Haha. Gaines and Dennard are easily the best 2 CB in the draft, and they will be the only 2 to go in the first round. Gilbert wouldnt be a bad 2nd, or 3rd round pick, but I doubt we waste 1-3 on a CB, when there is plenty of good CB in FA that can be had this year.

[DrJuice1980]

You would waste the #8 pick on Gilbert? Haha. Gaines and Dennard are easily the best 2 CB in the draft, and they will be the only 2 to go in the first round. Gilbert wouldnt be a bad 2nd, or 3rd round pick, but I doubt we waste 1-3 on a CB, when there is plenty of good CB in FA that can be had this year.

You watch that kid at all? He's a stud and a 1st rounder for sure-quote me. Go ahead and laugh at that though when the thing worth laughing the hardest at is your belief that there are "Plenty of good CB's in FA"!!! I didnt know Charles Tillman was multiple people. If there is one thing the league is short on its quality CB's. A position in need and a definite talent, why not pick him?

Dude, Gilbert is by far the best CB there, check tape bro.

[DrJuice1980]

Quote:

Unrestricted Free Agent Cornerbacks: 2014

Name Team Prior APY

Charles Tillman Bears $6,166,667

Brent Grimes Dolphins $5,500,000

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Broncos $5,000,000

Aqib Talib Patriots $5,000,000

Josh Wilson Redskins $4,500,000

Corey Webster Giants $4,000,000

Tarell Brown 49ers $3,037,501

Vontae Davis Colts $2,245,000

Sam Shields Packers $2,023,000

Corey Graham Ravens $1,975,000

Mike Jenkins Raiders $1,500,000

EJ Biggers Redskins $1,500,000

Antoine Cason Cardinals $1,500,000

Tracy Porter Raiders $1,500,000

Cassius Vaughn Colts $1,323,000

Quentin Jammer Broncos $1,100,000

Captain Munnerlyn Panthers $1,100,000

Chris Cook Vikings $1,060,000

Christopher Owens Dolphins $1,000,000

Javier Arenas Cardinals $987,104

Usama Young Raiders $985,000

Chris Crocker Bengals $940,000

Rashean Mathis Lions $940,000

Drayton Florence Panthers $940,000

Kelvin Hayden Bears $905,000

Richard Marshall Chargers $855,000

Chris Carr Saints $840,000

Alterraun Verner Titans $790,035

Zack Bowman Bears $780,000

Aaron Ross Giants $780,000

Phillip Adams Raiders $775,000

Brandon Browner Seahawks $773,756

Eric Wright 49ers $715,001

Steve Vallos Broncos $715,000

Michael Adams Buccaneers $715,000

William Middleton Chargers $715,000

Will Blackmon Jaguars $715,000

Elbert Mack Texans $715,000

Terrell Thomas Giants $700,000

Bryan McCann Cardinals $630,000

Trumaine McBride Giants $630,000

Walter Thurmond Seahawks $610,875

Danny Gorrer Buccaneers $585,000

Dominique Franks Falcons $585,000

Ellis Lankster Jets $585,000

Aaron Berry Jets $557,500

Brandon Ghee Bengals $540,000

Sherrick McManis Bears $533,000

Nolan Carroll Dolphins $532,938

Packed with quality, yeah right. I'd take Gilbert over any of these at the price tag he'll get.

[zepman]

Gilbert is a stud, no doubt.

But, the Vikes have around 25-30 million to spend this off-season. CB would be a great place to start...not many young corners come in to the league and are "difference makers". Signing a veteran starting caliber corner and pair him with Rhodes would be the way to go here.

So much of who they're targeting in the draft will come down to who we sign in the FA period...without knowing that, I think you could make a case at almost evey position on the Vikings defense for pick #8.

[Scott K]

I would pick up Tillman, Grimes, or Talib, any of them would fit in nice on the Vikings.

[DrJuice1980]

Talib is over rated, Grimes does about as much for me as another Kim K selfie-both one hit wonders and way past their primes. He is also injury prone. Not interested in either. Tillman will be too pricey. Last year my guy was Patterson, this year its Gilbert. We need this guy.

Out of all those I like Vaughn the most to come in nickle and make things competitive.

[BuckSutherland]

Talib is over rated, Grimes does about as much for me as another Kim K selfie-both one hit wonders and way past their primes. He is also injury prone. Not interested in either. Tillman will be too pricey. Last year my guy was Patterson, this year its Gilbert. We need this guy.

Out of all those I like Vaughn the most to come in nickle and make things competitive.

What about MLB??

No way Gilbert is there in the second round when we pick. Sounded like scouts were so impressed that he would be the first CB gone. Give me a DT all day, but not at #8. More like #14-20. If WR Watkins is there when we pick we just may have the bait we need to trade down to a team like the Jets that have ZERO weapons and get a haul in return. I would be just fine going with Robinson and Rhodes this year at CB. If we can get some pressure on the QB for once and some coverage underneath it would really help. I hope we target a safety in FA to help Smith back there.

At some point we need to find another RB. I hope we get one that can catch the ball out of the backfield.

[DrJuice1980]

Mosley did nothing for me at the combine, stock plummeted. I really hope we dont take him especially at #8. I'd be much happier with Mack if he is around. Max Bullough is my pick at MLB later in the draft. Kid can flat out play.

Who's in the North:

Rogers

Cutler

Stafford

Better get an elite CB in here. Gilbert is that guy.

Not sure if you watched any of it Buck but there are some pretty good looking safties in the draft too.

[Scott K]

Most teams have been scouting players during the season, and judge their value mostly on how they played during game time. Not during the punt pass kick contests they have at the combine. It may help to a degree, but it wont take a 3rd round player, and put him in the first taken of the position, and if your team decides to judge solely off of the combine results, you better find yourself a better scouting group.

[DrJuice1980]

Most teams have been scouting players during the season, and judge their value mostly on how they played during game time. Not during the punt pass kick contests they have at the combine. It may help to a degree, but it wont take a 3rd round player, and put him in the first taken of the position, and if your team decides to judge solely off of the combine results, you better find yourself a better scouting group.

Punt/Pass/Kick? Get with the now. The Combine is much more than your thinking warrants bud. Is it the tell all? No. Is it the "Tell me more"? Yes. It wont take a 3rd rounder and make him a 1st? That happens all the time, Adam Archuletta ring a bell? Was Gilbert a 3rd rounder before this? No way! Late 1st early 2nd now probably a 8-15 guy. He was a stud in college. Again, check tape bro.

Maybe we would be better off with a guy late in his career who played NFL Europe and a history of injuries. BOX!

[Scott K]

Moot point, we wont be selecting a CB with our first, or second round pick anyhow.

I am pretty certain Dennard and Gaines will go before Gilbert in the draft, and I have my doubts there will be 3 CB coming out in the first round. Dennard has been the clear number 1 CB going into the season, and he did nothing to jeopardize that during the season. Sure he may not be the fasted CB in the combine, but ball smarts mean a lot in CB's

Gaines has shined all season, and I wouldnt doubt he goes before Dennard in the draft.

To be honest, any one of the 3 would be a huge improvement on the Vikings, so if we did drop back and take a CB, I would be ok with that.

[thatoneguy]

Clowney, 4.47 40. What an animal/freak. dam shame we went 3-2-1 over the last 6 games. I hope we save our QB pick until later. Zimmer needs some tools to work with on D first.

Physical freak, no doubt. There's also a fair chance that he ends up the Tony Mandarich of defensive lineman. When your college coach publically questions your work ethic, it's not a great sign. 40-yard dash time is about 37th on the list of things you need to assess in evaluating a d-lineman.

[minky]

Building up the defense would be OK with me!

We do need a new QB, will there be any good ones left in the second round?

[Scott K]

I would almost guarantee that if Bridgewater, Manzeil, or Bortles is on the board for the 8th pick, we will take him. I would also bet If Clowney, or Mack is there, we will take them. If none of them are there, we will more then likely drop back.

[TR21HP]

The combine tells you what kind of athlete the player is. Agree with Scott in the fact the combine isn't going to tell you much more than what you have already seen on film. The interviews, if done properly, will tell you more about a player than how long he can broad jump or his time in the 40. Having been through it, albeit a long time ago, I can speak from personal experience that the combine, as it sits now, is more for the fantasy football geek and for the NFL as it keeps ESPN and the NFL network busy.

Are you a great athlete? everybody is at that level, Are you a great football player? do you aspire to be great? Can you handle the pressure of pro football and everything it demands? Does your college game transition to pro? A lot of difference between the two. If Montana, Brady or Brees were available for this years draft they wouldn't even be considered mid round picks. They had the intangibles that made them great. Ryan Leaf was one of the most gifted athletes out there and was probably the biggest flop in draft history. The Combine shows you unrealized potential but are you willing to do the work necessary or have the mental discipline to achieve the level necessary to be that special player ? That's more important than how many reps you can get at 225. There are countless athletes who do extremely well in the combine and are a complete flop in the pros. Tony Mandarich, Brian Bosworth are just a couple of spectacular athletes and great college players who couldn't make it in the NFL. The combine will show you the physical attributes about a player but very little else. That decision will be decided by watching tape and hopefully through the interview process.

[DrJuice1980]

Physical freak, no doubt. There's also a fair chance that he ends up the Tony Mandarich of defensive lineman. When your college coach publically questions your work ethic, it's not a great sign. 40-yard dash time is about 37th on the list of things you need to assess in evaluating a d-lineman.

When your ticket to a massive pay day may be jeopardized by an injury and no national championship is on the line would you have played any different? I dont think its a work ethic issue, its more of an economical choice.

[DrJuice1980]

the combine, as it sits now, is more for the fantasy football geek and for the NFL as it keeps ESPN and the NFL network busy.

I agree will a lot of things you said but this quote above ruined any credibility. I am sure a GM, VP, Head Coach, Asst's, etc. are there for their personal fantasy squads or to please the shield. Physical mechanics are more apparent, raw athletic ability, compensation patterns are seen (patterns that can result in injury and drop stock), shear strength, explosiveness, the list can go on and on with why the combine is important in scouting talent. Go ahead and pretend that its not and only for media and rubes.

[zepman]

I would almost guarantee that if Bridgewater, Manzeil, or Bortles is on the board for the 8th pick, we will take him. I would also bet If Clowney, or Mack is there, we will take them. If none of them are there, we will more then likely drop back.

Some have Carr in the top 3...even top 2. Every team will have them(QB's) ranked differently and I'm sure some will have one or more of them with a non 1st round grade.

If Sammy Watkins is staring us in the face at 8 you RUN to podium and take him. He would be BPA regardless who's still on the board.

[zepman]

You would waste the #8 pick on Gilbert? Haha. Gaines and Dennard are easily the best 2 CB in the draft, and they will be the only 2 to go in the first round. Gilbert wouldnt be a bad 2nd, or 3rd round pick, but I doubt we waste 1-3 on a CB, when there is plenty of good CB in FA that can be had this year.

Scott...Gilbert has been the #1 rated corner all year and only reaffirmed that at the combine.

Jerry Gray is our new DB's coach...he was in the same position last year with the Titans. The name Alterraun Verner, also of the Titans, is the CB that has been tossed around the most by almost everyone. He would be expensive but at 25, would be a great addition to the likes of Rhodes and our D.

IMO, this is the guy you go get in FA that makes the team instantly better.