Vikings Off-Season Thread

[Vanimal46]

I think I'm leaning Bradbury right now, the Center. A good starting center helps the mediocre guards a lot, imo. I'd consider a trade back, if I can stay in round 1....depending on what I got. And how much I believed in my scouting for IOL.....(which isn't much right now, frankly).

They will probably have to take him at #18 overall. He's gaining a lot of steam and very unlikely to slide to our pick in the 2nd round.

[Mike Sixel]

They will probably have to take him at #18 overall. He's gaining a lot of steam and very unlikely to slide to our pick in the 2nd round.

He'll go in round one, agreed.

[Mike Sixel]

Anything in particular you like about him?

 

I wonder....can Elflein hold up at guard?

I've barely watched college ball in years. But what I read.... He's a legit starting center, most likely.

 

I'm not sure our current center can play center.... Best case is they draft a starting center and guard, and Eiflien is the backup... I'm sure I speeled that wrong....

[TheLeviathan]

 

I've barely watched college ball in years. But what I read.... He's a legit starting center, most likely.

I'm not sure our current center can play center.... Best case is they draft a starting center and guard, and Eiflien is the backup... I'm sure I speeled that wrong....

 

He may be best as a top backup.  He was hurt last year so I'm not sure if he's the 2017 or 2018 version.  His weaknesses are best hidden at center, however.  So if we do draft Bradburry (who I also like), it may hurt Elflein's play to move him to guard.

 

I think I'd rather have Dillard if he's there.  Or Ford.  Pick a guy that can play guard or tackle.  But I totally see your side of wanting Bradburry.

[Mike Sixel]

Looks like they are signing random camp body IOL now......

[diehardtwinsfan]

I think Elf gets another year personally, especially after re-signing Jones. I like Kline's upside, but I'm not sure I'll be happy if they don't walk away with 2 starting calliber OL. Kline was pretty bad last year.

 

I'd lean Dillard or Ford with that pick personally, and probably another guy like Jordan or maybe Lindstrom a bit later. Even if Kline is a hit, they need to have some real depth. We don't have that right now. It would be nice not to think the season is over once an OL goes down. 

[Mike Sixel]

Hill suspended for four games. No DB trade coming.....

[nicksaviking]

The Vikes are signing an awful lot of former AAF players; 5 total so far I believe. No OL. I'd imagine (hope) most don't make the team but maybe there's a diamond in the rough in there. 

 

I wish the lack of depth didn't make it necessary to grab so many of these guys though.

[Vanimal46]

The Vikes are signing an awful lot of former AAF players; 5 total so far I believe. No OL. I'd imagine (hope) most don't make the team but maybe there's a diamond in the rough in there.

 

I wish the lack of depth didn't make it necessary to grab so many of these guys though.

Training camp starts at 90 players and they need warm bodies... I will be shocked if 1 of them makes the 53 man roster.

[TheLeviathan]

All these depth guys means we won't be so enamored with trading back for 7th round picks though! 

 

 

Maybe.....

[Mike Sixel]

 

All these depth guys means we won't be so enamored with trading back for 7th round picks thought! 

 

 

Maybe.....

 

NEED PICKS.......I am in constant argument with fans who think trading a 3rd for 4 6ths is a good idea.....

[TheLeviathan]

 

NEED PICKS.......I am in constant argument with fans who think trading a 3rd for 4 6ths is a good idea.....

 

I have no problem sliding back to net 2nd or 3rd rounders...but 6ths and 7ths?  Blech.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I have no problem sliding back to net 2nd or 3rd rounders...but 6ths and 7ths?  Blech.

 

right, within the context of available players, agreed......

[TheLeviathan]

There is so much talent in the O-line in this draft I hope they're willing to package their second rounder with something to move up.  If we could land two guys from the group of Dillard, Ford, Bradbury, Risner, etc. - I would feel really good about this team.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

The Vikes are signing an awful lot of former AAF players; 5 total so far I believe. No OL. I'd imagine (hope) most don't make the team but maybe there's a diamond in the rough in there. 

 

I wish the lack of depth didn't make it necessary to grab so many of these guys though.

 

I'm taking this as them not doing a whole lot of defensive drafting in a couple weeks. The starters on D are pretty much set anyways, so a few developmental guys make sense, and why not grab the guys who did well in the AAF. That competition is still going to be better than college ball...

 

My guess is that other than a DT, they will be drafting offense pretty heavily... and a CB too... because Vikings. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I have no problem sliding back to net 2nd or 3rd rounders...but 6ths and 7ths?  Blech.

 

yeah, I'm of the opinion that they take some of the extra ones and trade them for higher ones the next year. It seems like that's pretty doable most years.  Don't need to do it with all of them, but if Rick had designated some picks to do this with every year, we'd have some extra mid-round picks by now.

 

That requires some long term thought though. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

NEED PICKS.......I am in constant argument with fans who think trading a 3rd for 4 6ths is a good idea.....

 

I'm guessing not many argue that... 

 

I do think though that sliding back in the first if plenty of their need guys are there (Ford, Risner, and Dillard come to mind) and picking up some extra picks makes sense.  Those can be bundled to move up in the 2nd/3rd to get other guys they target as well... and if they slide far enough in the first, it might mean an extra 2nd or 3rd. 

 

Then again, I'd think they could get an extra 2nd and quite possibly more by trading Waynes or Rhodes. 

[TheLeviathan]

I wanted them to deal Waynes, but I don't see how they do that with Hill's suspension.  Zimmer with throw a tantrum for days before he lets that happen.

[Vanimal46]

As we inch closer to draft day, here's my BIG BOARD I'd like the Vikings to draft in the 1st round:

 

TJ Hockenson - TE Iowa

Dalton Risner - OT/G Kansas State

Andre Dillard - OT Washington State

Cody Ford - OT Oklahoma

Greedy Williams - CB Houston

Ed Oliver - DT Houston

 

I think Jawan Taylor OT from Florida is overrated. His pass protection didn't grade out well.

 

Risner and Dillard were #1/2 in the country for pass protection grades. Cody Ford has a mean streak too which is much needed next to Elflien.

 

I am convinced that Hockenson will be the next Kittle/Ertz/Gronk in the league. If he's there at 18 I would pass on the OL talent and take him in a heart beat. Then try to find a way to trade back into the late 1st/early 2nd to draft an OL.

[TheLeviathan]

I'd be pretty damn happy with any of those guys.  

 

If we walked out of this draft with Risner and Dillard or Risner and Ford....and I think that's doable with a trade up.....my god would the way we feel about this team sky rocket.

 

If we can't and we land just one of them there will still be some really nice talents later.  Sumia and Evans from Okalahoma are later types that might be great to pair back up with Ford.  One of the Ohio St. guys as well.

 

There is O-line to be had this year.  Day one playable too.  I am starting to wonder if the enormous amount of defensive talent will push those guys down or if there will be 2nd round DE/S/LB still floating around in the 4th/5th.  

[Mr. Brooks]

I wouldn't be opposed to drafting a DE fairly early if one falls. I think Griffen is likely cooked.

He broke out relatively late in his career, I think we forget he's 31 already.

[TheLeviathan]

There could be really solid DE talents still around in the third.  The defensive side of this draft is nothing short of stacked.  

 

When we pick in the third there may be guys like Hooker or Winovich or Austin Bryant who would normally be second round picks.  Really good safety or DE prospects that can be had a round or more later than you might normally expect.

[Mr. Brooks]

4/64 extension for Thielen.

[Mike Sixel]

4/64 extension for Thielen.

Where did they get the cap room?

[Mr. Brooks]

Where did they get the cap room?

Probably back loaded it.

[Mike Sixel]

Probably back loaded it.

Ah. An extension, but no new money this year, I believe

[TheLeviathan]

Just saw this.  That would've been a nice move.

[Danchat]

 

Where did they get the cap room?

Thielen is under contract through 2020, and the extension goes from 2021 to 2024. We have plenty of cap room to spend in 2021-2024 (Cousins' deal runs out after 2020).

[TheLeviathan]

The road schedule next year is rough.  Seahawks, Chargers, Chiefs, Packers, Bears, and Cowboys.

[Vanimal46]

The road schedule next year is rough. Seahawks, Chargers, Chiefs, Packers, Bears, and Cowboys.

I bet Paul Allen on KFAN today will have a hard time finding a loss on the schedule...