NFL Draft

[xedge2002]

So what position does everybody think the Vikings will be taking with thier 1st round pick in the draft? My guess is they will either try to trade up to get a QB like Jay Cutler or stay where they are and take a LB.

[cybermuskie]

I don't know that the Vikes have anything to trade up with unless they work a deal with Pep and some future picks, but I doubt it. My guess is that if there is a good LB on the board they would take him. (As they really haven't filled that position yet.) Who knows they may just do the old "take the best player" thing. I really wish Vernon Davis TE would still be there but he won't be unless we jump up to get him. I think he would be a safer bet, as a stud, than a QB. I would bet money that they still grab a RB and QB somewhere in later rounds though.

[JIvers]

I agree that it is unlikely that the Vikings can trade up in the draft. Every report has it that the Vikings are expecting no better than a second round pick for DC if they do move him. The Vikings would have to give up most or all of their picks to move up near the top of the drafting order, and I think all I need to say about that scenario is "Herschel Walker" or "Ricky Williams".

As for Cutler, I don't know that he is worth trading up for, even if the Vikings were in a position to do it. He has great raw skills, an asset magnified by a lot of media hype, but he doesn't have the college record to back it up. That doesn't mean he can't or won't be a good NFL QB, but I do not see him as a sure thing. Ryan Leaf and Tim Couch had tremendous talent and potential, too, but they didn't do so well in the NFL.

With Chester Taylor on board, the Vikings top priority is o-line or linebacker. I have heard reports that the Vikings are interested in LB Chad Greenway from here at the University of Iowa. Greenway and Abdul Hodge made up one of the best linebacking tandems in college football the last four years, or so the local Hawkeye hype machine would have me believe.

[196thDLR]

I believe that if Lendale White is still on the board at 17 the Vike's will take him. There is no question that he has everything any team could want in a feature back. He reminds me of Franco Harris. But, I doubt that he will still be on the board. In that case believe it will be a linebacker.

[buzzsaw]

Quote:

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I believe that if Lendale White is still on the board at 17 the Vike's will take him

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I'm surprised that you wrote that after the fact that we signed Chester taylor to a large $$$ contract. I disagree 100% with your post... sorry, it just makes no sense any longer... in your defense, maybe you didn't know about the Chester Taylor aquisition.

[Down to Earth]

With what should be Taylor, Moore, Smith, and Fason in the mix I have a hard time the Vikes will still go RB with their first pick. I think a lot will depend on how the whole Hutchinson thing plays out. Gotta think they will either go OL or LB with the first pick. Maybe QB, but I doubt Cutler will be available by time the Vikes get around to draft.

[196thDLR]

Guys: You may think that I am a couple of Aces short of a full deck or out in left field, but I have been around for every one of their Drafts and Trades, and in most years a 7 year old with a Oouiji Board could do a better job.

Take a good look at Taylor. In the free agent market he is rated as a 70. That is barely into the adaquate category. I'm not saying that he may not be a sleeper, but he was not drafted until day 2 of the 2002 draft!! Sixth Round, 35th player. Gentleman, what makes him better than what we have?

Our current RB's: Bennett has been told to take a hike. Moore won't play if he has a hangnail. Smith did not have enough of his own urine, so he bought some! Because he had to buy some, HE was given a whole year to manufacture some of his own!! Fiason, was a rookie, but, when asked to perform, he could not. {Of course I'm not sure any RB could have done more than get to the LOS behind that O-line}. Do you see my reasoning?

WELCOME HOME!!!!

[Havin' Fun]

Actually, no I can't.

Vikings are good on RB. However, they will draft not based on need, but based on best available player. As they should I THINK.

[196thDLR]

The reasoning is, the Vikes do not, repeat, DO NOT, have a competitive NFL backfield!

[zepman]

My bet is they will take Greenway from Iowa. Definately a first round player and it will fill a huge hole the Vikes have had a hard time filling for years.

[Born2Fish]

Even though taylor was a second day pick, there is another name out there that i think everyone remembers...Terrell Davis...This guy was picked second day and look how he turned out...Sure he was injured but given the chance to succeed he did. Taylor needed to get away from Baltimore to even get the tiny chance at showing his true potential. In spot duty for Lewis I would have to say he did a great job at pickin up the slack. Given the right O line almost any running back can be made to look great. And given the Vikings current situation at running back I think ANYONE different at this time is an improvement over what we have.

[196thDLR]

Born: I fully agree with you! C. Taylor is a vast improvement over what is currently in the Vikes' stable. Davis went to a SEC school didn't he? Georgia, or Georgia Tech?

[buzzsaw]

Georgia.

[Piker]

What about FSU LB Ernie Sims? From what I've seen on the NFL Network, he's quite the athlete. I think Greenway would be a great fit as well.

I personal feel the team overpaid for Chester Taylor. However, if they want a back to catch a ton of passes he'll work well. He's a good player, but I don't know that he's a feature back. I would have liked to see the Vikings go for Maroney, but I agree that it is unlikely at this point.

I'd rather not trade up for a QB, but rather try and work Atlanta for Matt Schaub. I would make them a serious offer of a 2007 #1. I don't think that would be excessive, if they believe he can come in and be effective. 1st round QB's can be tought to project and are expensive.

[Born2Fish]

Thing with Taylor is no one really knows what he can do if he is used as a feature back. All the work he did in Baltimore was for a jailed Lewis and all the odds and ends dump. He is a good reciever which is a plus with any running back, but he also has very decent speed and can be a bruiser. And I agree about going after Schaub. I think it would be alot smarter for them to go after someone who has at least a little nfl experience than draft a guy who has none and will need to learn the system anyways before starting. And even if they do trade up this year in the draft I think they should go after one of the more dominant LB's. And there is always the outside chance that the vikings will go after Maroney just because they will draft on talent and not needs. I've looked at a few mock drafts and have seen people still predicting Maroney at 17 to the vikes. But who knows they could take another Demitrius Underwood...

[koonie]

We need to trade up and get A.J. Hawk! Nuff said!