DRAFT THOUGHTS

[cybermuskie]

Ok, let's get the ball rolling here! What does everybody think the Vikes will do in the draft this year?

I kinda think it depends on Cutler. I think if he stays on the board around the 9 - 10 spot they will trade up to get him. Otherwise I say they should wait til the second round and get Whitehurst, Brodie Croyle, or Omar Jacobs. (There have been alot of super bowl quarterbacks drafted in late rounds)

My Ideal trade up would have to be for Vernon Davis, then take a second Rd QB. Nobody would see it coming. This guy is probably the biggest stud in the draft!

Ok Back to earth.... I like them to take a LB if all the above doesn't happen. I like Sims, or Greenway.

There are still a few mock having us taking Laurence Maroney at 17. I personally wouldn't be surprised to see them take the best player out there, and it might be a RB.

Alright I have rambled enough....what's your take?

[Eric Wettschreck]

Maroney would be a very good pick.

If a Schaub deal doesn't happen, I'd love to see them trade up and get Leinert.

[bgreen82]

i dont need leinart. id rather get cutler. unless the schaub thing happens. i wouldnt give up the #17 for schaub though, maybe 3 later picks in rds. 2 and 3. an LB is a possibility also, i like greenway. if we get shaub, i find a way to get the best possible linebacker, safety or defensive end. later picks should find an extra o-lineman, tight end and more RB's.

[JIvers]

Brad Childress states in the Star-Tribune that the Vikings are inviting around thirty potential draft selections to Winter Park for workouts. Jay Cutler is among them, but Vince Young is not.

[nofishfisherman]

I am not big on Young. He had a decent year and one great game. His draft stock shot up after that game but one game does not make a career.

The Texas coach even said that they had to simplify everything and let Young go out and just play. Thats really not the type of QB you want in the NFL. If he couldn't grasp a college play book I don't give him much of a chance to grasp the NFL play books.

[beer batter]

I wouldn't mind trading a first round pick for Schaub. I've seen him play several games and would consider his status as a proven player in the west coast offense. He can win games in the NFL. How many quarterbacks drafted in the first round are busts? He's only 3 years in the league so it's not as though he's on the last few years of his career.

Linebacker is one of (if not the) deepest positions in the draft so we should be able to fill some spots with our later round picks.

[cybermuskie]

I still don't think or want them to burn a pick on Schaub. Heck McMahon threw for over 1100 yards last year. Does that mean he'sproven in the west coast offense when he played for Childress? Let me clear something up right now....No I don't think McMahon is the future of the Vikes. I say they will watch Cutler and see if he falls far enough for them to grab....if not they WILL grab one in the second round. I really don't think Croyle would be that bad after a year or two behind Johnson, also McMahon, would be there to help too. Besides maybe there are some great QB's coming out next year when we MAY have a better draft position. I think it's going to be a tough year learning a new system, and we have a tough schedule, sorry but true.

I still think they grab a LB first if not a QB.

[dfv87]

Cyber is right on the money, Croyle?? (the QB from Alabama) is a solid pick for a QB let him learn for a year. We need LB help. If we cannot get moved way up to get Hawk from OSU then we should get the LB from FSU.

[dfv87]

Cyber is right on the money, Croyle?? (the QB from Alabama) is a solid pick for a QB in the 2nd round let him learn for a year. We need LB help. If we cannot get moved way up to get Hawk from OSU then we should get the LB from FSU.

[CodyDawg]

I have seen some mocks saying because we lost Brian Williams, we need to get a corner. Do these guys to any research? Our LB corp sucks, we have no QB of the future, we are pretty thin at RB, and they think we will draft a 3rd corner? I think that is completely ludicrous.

Now watch them do just that.

[JIvers]

Yes, I have seen the updated version of that same mock draft on CNNSI.com. Currently, it projects the Vikings taking a 5'10" CB out of Clemson with their first-round pick. This guy or may not be a great CB, but with Fred Smoot and Antoine Winfield already on-board, the Vikings have more pressing needs (LB, QB, safety, even OL) than a third CB.

My guess is that the draft projections foreseeing the Vikings taking a QB are only looking at Viking losses in free agency, or believe the Vikings are still going on the Denny Green "take the best player available regardless of need" philosophy. I hope either of these are the case, and that the projections of a first-round CB pick are no more than guesses, and not based on inside information from the Vikings. Picking a CB, unless he is the next Darrell Green, would be a mistake, as the Vikings have bigger gaps to fill with their first pick than backup cornerback.

[vikingtom]

I won't trade for Schaub. He'd be here 1 year then move on because he doesn't want to backup for 2 or 3 more years. Need to draft a young QB. Maybe in second round.

[nofishfisherman]

The talk I heard if they traded for Schaub he would be back up for at most 1 year. Some think he would actually be the starter this year. No way Johnson is going to play 2-3 more years as a starter. He'll be 38 by the first game of the season.

[bgreen82]

if we got shaub, he should start immediately in my opinion. rahter get cutler and wait a year though

[Archery 1]

Hey Dudes,

I think they should draft an Linebacker. They may not

get AJ Hawk,But what about Ernie Simms out of FSU a very

good linebacker and fast. Also I don't know about this Cutler guy I don't know if he is the real deal. Try to get

Schuawb (sorry spelling) and don't give up the 1st round pick for him.

[Quickstrike]

I think if you could find a way to do that, the Vikings would welcome you to their managment staff!!!

[james_walleye]

I would much rather see that 1st round pick too get Schaub than Cutler. If you guys think Schaub is unproven than im not sure how you could want Cutler. He has won a total of 11 games his whole college career. At least we've seen Schaub in a few NFL games, thats more than any of these college kids have done. And hes only 24. I'm going too be awfully disappointed if they take Cutler and then find out that the falcons would have given Schaub up for that 17th pick. Those mid first round picks can be really touchy at any position and QB's can really be big busts and i think if you could use the 1st round pick and get Schaub its by far the most promising option. I dont think at 17 your going too get a defensive player that steps in right away anyway and makes a big impact. Your better off trying too sign a LB when the June free agent period comes up, someone who can step in right away and have an impact.

[Archery 1]

Hey James,

I think that any QB is a gamble in the 1st round. Look at

all the QB's in the past that have been bust in the 1st round. Couch,Leaf,Smith,Klinger, and Shuler. A'lot of these

guys are busts. Look at some of the ones who drafted in the

latter rounds that have been good Montana, Brady, Brees, and

a few others. I just don't think Schuab as proven himself worthy of 1st round pick. Give the Falcons a 2nd round pick

and a 3rd round.

[james_walleye]

They arent going too take a 2nd or 3rd round pick because there are 8 different teams that have inquired about his availability and have already stated they want at least a 1st round pick, maybe more than that. All i can say is, too get Cutler you may have too move up in the draft too get him. So why in essence would you use a 1st and say a 3rd round pick too get Cutler whos never played a down in the NFL when possibly just a 1st round pick could get used too get a 24 year old guy whos already thrown 75 NFL passes and looked good going it? Thats all im saying, if the vikes want a QB and this scenerio plays out it should be an easy call.

[cybermuskie]

James....I find it hard to believe that you feel a drafted defensive player can't come in and make a impact. Some of these guys that we could end up with would help right away. Like Sims, I saw a interview with him, he seems like a animal, he would be alot of fun to watch. I still can't believe we are still talking about Schuab. You don't give up your first round pick for him. I don't care if he has thrown 75 NFL passes! If anything steal him next year when he is a free agent! (poison pill him) If a QB falls to us fine, if not pick one in the second rd. They have the same chance to be as good as the first rd guys. If they want a real stud the should jump and get V. Davis. IMO best player in the draft!

[IceHawk]

I have to agree takeing Ernie Sims with there first pick wouldn't be bad. He has the talent and definately the speed. I think he would fit right in our system and would be able to start imediately. IMO I think with your next choices you add depth look at who's available and pick up a cornerback,Quarterback or possibly another offensive lineman.

[JIvers]

The Vikings reversed their public stance of a week ago, and invited Vince Young to Winter Park for workouts. Childress announced that around thirty potential draftees were invited for workouts a week ago, including Cutler, but not Vince Young.

Personally, I don't believe that Sims, Warren, Ferguson or anyone else is worth the pile of draft picks that would be required to move up in the draft. This includes Leinart and Bush, whom I see as the two "immediate impact" players in the draft. As one analyst put it, there is no use getting a Ferrari if you have to trade away the garage, driveway, and insurance policy to pay for it. Look no further than the Herschel Walker and Ricky Williams trade deals for evidence of that. Trading away the first-round pick, but nothing more, for Schaub seems like an acceptable risk; trading away the first and second-round picks, along with some picks next year and/or a player or two on the roster (and that would be the cost) now would rob the team of too many role players.

As for the Vikings' new-found interest in Vince Young, it seems like a response to Young's rumored falling draft stock. Some estimates now see Young going at tenth overall or lower, at which point a trade up in the draft for him might seem feasible. This is one scenario floated this past weekend. I don't like this proposal--Young has an ugly throwing motion, and has never run an NFL-style offense. He may turn out to be a great QB, but he does not seem like a sure thing to me. One great game against USC does not make him a great NFL QB--Ryan Leaf and Tim Couch had some great games in college, too.

[james_walleye]

Cyber most often those mid first round defensive picks dont step in and make an impact right away. Just look at the recent vikings picks at that position. James didnt last year, Udeze didnt 3 years ago. Is it impossible, no, but its very likely they dont make an impact right away. And too say that one of these guys WILL step in and make an impact is a huge stretch. Its much more likely too see them step up in their 2nd year in the league.

If you dont agree with the Schaub thing then fine. Someone is going too use a 2nd or 3rd pick in this draft on a QB thats never taken a snap in the NFL. So in my opinion using the 17th pick in the draft too get a guy thats pretty much the same age and you've already seen throw some passes in the NFL, and do it very well, is not out of line. I happen too think that giving the 1st round pick for him at 24 years old is not stupid. I saw those snaps he took last year and he didnt look like he was taking the first snaps of his career. If the vikings dont get him, fine, then they hopefully draft a LB that will be a stud. I wont lose alot of sleep over it. If they do pull the trigger, it wont bother me. I would also much rather see our 1st round pick too Schaub than a trade up too get Vince Young. But thats me, i liked the way he tossed the ball around in the games he played and i think where ever he lands as a starter, whether its this year or next, hes going too be very solid.

[cybermuskie]

James, I was just thinking that ANY mid-round LB we could get would make a huge difference over what we have had! I really don't care what they do with their pick, since I have no say in it anyway. I am really not sure on Young though. I heard they had give him a basic play book in college, so he could understand it! Not really the guy I want running the team. I saw a mock today from this McShay on ESPN's site that had us getting Culter at 17. So who really knows! Whatever they do we as fans will sit back and give our thoughts after the fact. Have a good one!

[Caesarfishinguytoo]

I by no means am a NFL expert when it comes to drafting college talent, but I say draft the LB Sims - I think we can all agree we need some serious help at LB. As far as Schaub goes. I too am in favor of aquiring him, but maybe Falcons are asking a little too much for him. 134 NFL passes does make an NFL QB - remember Mitchell - the guy from Miami we almost got, but the Lions outbid us (Thank god!) He was a stud in Miami for like 6 games and EVERYBODY wanted him! Schaub stats are that great either - under 50% completion %, 5 tds with 4 pick???? With that said I am still a Schaub fan, but if we can't get him cheaper than a number 2 pick, then we wait until next year to see if we can get him or let someone else risk their number one and we can see how things go! Just my two cents!