NFL Draft stuff

[Vanimal46]

I hope Jackson is the real deal. Completely logical because he can start at LT while Darrisaw recovers from his injury then kick back to LG when Darrisaw is back. 

I don’t pretend to watch college OL and just rely on the analysts. 

[gunnarthor]

7 offensive lineman and 5 defensive lineman (not counting edge) already taken by pick 29. Teams seem to be following the Eagles model.

[nicksaviking]

Time for these guys to retire the indignant 'I can't believe this guy went when this other guy is still there!' bit. Like their opinion is consensus.

Except then you look at another site and the guy who the first expert irrationally loves, is still listed as 15th in BPA.

 

[Vanimal46]

From a purely strategic standpoint, Kwesi addressed every IOL position this offseason, which I didn’t think in a thousand years he would do. So kudos to him. There’s a scenario where we have a top 5 OL next year! That phrase hasn’t been said in over a decade 

[gunnarthor]

The Eagles defense is going to be really good again.

[nicksaviking]

2 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

The Eagles defense is going to be really good again.

They always get the big named defensive guy who slides. Usually it's out of Georgia.

[Vanimal46]

I’m shocked Will Johnson fell out of the 1st round. I don’t have access to his medical record obviously and it must be that serious to scare off everyone for their 1st pick. 

TONS of good RB, WR, and CB available tomorrow. Do the Vikings sacrifice 2026 draft picks to move up from their next pick 97 overall? I would. 

[Danchat]

I don't like reaching for Jackson, who is a clear 2nd round talent and another example of this regime drafting for need over BPA, but it's not a terrible move. He is a natural LG who can play LT in a pinch but is much better at guard. It was disappointing to see the two teams who traded after us were both able to move down, which is what I would have preferred. The Rams moved down to the 2nd round and picked up a 2026 1st, which is gnarly. I am a bit disappointed but I think they at least have an average starter at LG instead of going with Brandel and hoping Rouse/Jurgens could push him.

[gunnarthor]

1 minute ago, Danchat said:

I don't like reaching for Jackson, who is a clear 2nd round talent and another example of this regime drafting for need over BPA, but it's not a terrible move. He is a natural LG who can play LT in a pinch but is much better at guard. It was disappointing to see the two teams who traded after us were both able to move down, which is what I would have preferred. The Rams moved down to the 2nd round and picked up a 2026 1st, which is gnarly. I am a bit disappointed but I think they at least have an average starter at LG instead of going with Brandel and hoping Rouse/Jurgens could push him.

The Rams gave up a first for a first next year. The two picks they gave up are worth 800 on the value chart, the picks they got back this year are worth 441 points this year. How you want to value a next year first depends but it seems like a fair trade.

As for Jackson, I'm with the consensus that this was a deep draft but not a high end draft. There was a run on IOL, Jackson was the last in this tier, just take him.

[gunnarthor]

10 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m shocked Will Johnson fell out of the 1st round. I don’t have access to his medical record obviously and it must be that serious to scare off everyone for their 1st pick. 

TONS of good RB, WR, and CB available tomorrow. Do the Vikings sacrifice 2026 draft picks to move up from their next pick 97 overall? I would. 

I think if they combine 97 with next years 2nd, they can move up into the 60ish range.

[Danchat]

17 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

As for Jackson, I'm with the consensus that this was a deep draft but not a high end draft. There was a run on IOL, Jackson was the last in this tier, just take him.

That was the same logic to why they took Ed Ingram in 2022, despite him being a consensus 4th rounder. Jackson's prospect profile is way better than him but this process is what leads to future regrets.

28 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m shocked Will Johnson fell out of the 1st round. I don’t have access to his medical record obviously and it must be that serious to scare off everyone for their 1st pick. 

I saw a medical report on Twitter (hard to trust, of course) that said his knees were in bad shape, seems like NFL teams concurred. If healthy he'd be a great pick but if other NFL doctors are giving him a red flag I'd listen to them.

[gunnarthor]

Here are some grades for the pick. https://www.dailynorseman.com/2025/4/24/24416355/2025-nfl-draft-reactions-minnesota-vikings-selection-donovan-jackson

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Danchat said:

I don't like reaching for Jackson, who is a clear 2nd round talent and another example of this regime drafting for need over BPA, but it's not a terrible move. He is a natural LG who can play LT in a pinch but is much better at guard. It was disappointing to see the two teams who traded after us were both able to move down, which is what I would have preferred. The Rams moved down to the 2nd round and picked up a 2026 1st, which is gnarly. I am a bit disappointed but I think they at least have an average starter at LG instead of going with Brandel and hoping Rouse/Jurgens could push him.

Does it matter if he's an average starter? That's what matters 

[Fatbat]

7 hours ago, Danchat said:

That was the same logic to why they took Ed Ingram in 2022, despite him being a consensus 4th rounder. Jackson's prospect profile is way better than him but this process is what leads to future regrets.

I saw a medical report on Twitter (hard to trust, of course) that said his knees were in bad shape, seems like NFL teams concurred. If healthy he'd be a great pick but if other NFL doctors are giving him a red flag I'd listen to them.

Will Fries was a 6th round pick? Im too lazy to research how well he graded out.

[TheLeviathan]

9 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m shocked Will Johnson fell out of the 1st round. I don’t have access to his medical record obviously and it must be that serious to scare off everyone for their 1st pick. 

TONS of good RB, WR, and CB available tomorrow. Do the Vikings sacrifice 2026 draft picks to move up from their next pick 97 overall? I would. 

I think they plan to have a loaded number of picks next year and this year is slow played.

[gunnarthor]

2 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

I think they plan to have a loaded number of picks next year and this year is slow played.

If they stay at 97, they probably won't nab a DL but there are a bunch of corners and running backs left, one could easily fall. I wouldn't be opposed to a hybrid type TE either but, unless someone big falls, maybe a linebacker who can give us better depth behind Cashman and/or push Pace for a starting job?

[Danchat]

10 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Does it matter if he's an average starter? That's what matters 

His ceiling isn't as high as several other prospects out there. I think LB Jihaad Campbell can easily become a top 10 LB in the league and the Eagles were able to nab him at #31 (apparently they called the Packers and Vikings to jump up and land him in that range). And I think there are players at edge/WR/CB who will outperform Jackson who were on the board.

I saw similar rationalizations to when they took Ed Ingram in the 2nd round in 2022 - they needed a guard and he was the last "startable" guy left in his group but he was a consensus 4th rounder, so they reached on him and big surprise, he's a bust. Jackson is a far better player and doesn't have the incredibly questionable off-the-field history Ingram did, but in my opinion they're settling for a guy with a lower ceiling in exchange for being able to plug him in at LG right away and be an every-down player.

3 hours ago, Fatbat said:

Will Fries was a 6th round pick? Im too lazy to research how well he graded out.

He was a 7th rounder. It would be nice if the Vikings could develop Day 3 players into starters, at least every once in a while. Or if Ingram could be an average starter, we wouldn't have needed to pick Jackson. 

[Mike Sixel]

5 minutes ago, Danchat said:

His ceiling isn't as high as several other prospects out there. I think LB Jihaad Campbell can easily become a top 10 LB in the league and the Eagles were able to nab him at #31 (apparently they called the Packers and Vikings to jump up and land him in that range). And I think there are players at edge/WR/CB who will outperform Jackson who were on the board.

I saw similar rationalizations to when they took Ed Ingram in the 2nd round in 2022 - they needed a guard and he was the last "startable" guy left in his group but he was a consensus 4th rounder, so they reached on him and big surprise, he's a bust. Jackson is a far better player and doesn't have the incredibly questionable off-the-field history Ingram did, but in my opinion they're settling for a guy with a lower ceiling in exchange for being able to plug him in at LG right away and be an every-down player.

He was a 7th rounder. It would be nice if the Vikings could develop Day 3 players into starters, at least every once in a while. Or if Ingram could be an average starter, we wouldn't have needed to pick Jackson. 

I'll take the every down player where they don't have one . If you expect him to be a day one starter who is average, I guess I don't see the issue. They needed a guard, you think they have one. 

They were wrong about Ingram. He was also graded much lower. Your last paragraph isn't about Jackson at all, but I agree. They need to be better at finding guys late in the draft. 

[Mike Sixel]

21 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

If they stay at 97, they probably won't nab a DL but there are a bunch of corners and running backs left, one could easily fall. I wouldn't be opposed to a hybrid type TE either but, unless someone big falls, maybe a linebacker who can give us better depth behind Cashman and/or push Pace for a starting job?

I know nothing about the guys left.... But position wise? I'm guessing there will be a decent to good WR left. Addison will be suspended, and wants to be PAID soon. 

I'm also guessing RB will have some good choices. Maybe TE. I'd like a speedy S, because they'll need one after this year. 

[Danchat]

Players I'd like to see the Vikings land in Round 3:

RB RJ Harvey
RB Damien Martinez
RB DJ Giddens
WR Savion Williams
DT Omar Norman-Lott
DT Joshua Farmer
DT Vernon Broughton
S Kevin Winston Jr
CB Jacob Parrish
CB Nohl Williams

[gunnarthor]

16 minutes ago, Danchat said:

Players I'd like to see the Vikings land in Round 3:

RB RJ Harvey
RB Damien Martinez
RB DJ Giddens
WR Savion Williams
DT Omar Norman-Lott
DT Joshua Farmer
DT Vernon Broughton
S Kevin Winston Jr
CB Jacob Parrish
CB Nohl Williams

I like Williams and Winston. If Norman-Lott is at 97, they should sprint to the podium. I'd wait on a RB at 97.

[nicksaviking]

3 hours ago, Danchat said:

His ceiling isn't as high as several other prospects out there. I think LB Jihaad Campbell can easily become a top 10 LB in the league and the Eagles were able to nab him at #31 (apparently they called the Packers and Vikings to jump up and land him in that range). And I think there are players at edge/WR/CB who will outperform Jackson who were on the board.

I saw similar rationalizations to when they took Ed Ingram in the 2nd round in 2022 - they needed a guard and he was the last "startable" guy left in his group but he was a consensus 4th rounder, so they reached on him and big surprise, he's a bust. Jackson is a far better player and doesn't have the incredibly questionable off-the-field history Ingram did, but in my opinion they're settling for a guy with a lower ceiling in exchange for being able to plug him in at LG right away and be an every-down player.

He was a 7th rounder. It would be nice if the Vikings could develop Day 3 players into starters, at least every once in a while. Or if Ingram could be an average starter, we wouldn't have needed to pick Jackson. 

I liked Campbell and would have been happy with that pick, but ceiling isn't exactly something to evaluate with an OL. Do they even have a ceiling?

He can't score more touchdowns or get more sacks or get more receptions. A pancake block isn't functionally any better than a normal block. Their 'ceiling' is all the same, did he keep the defender off of the RB or QB? This position is a pass/fail grade on every play. If anyone has some college info that says he can't do that as well as Booker or Zabel, I guess I'd be interested in that data.

[TheLeviathan]

3 hours ago, Danchat said:

Players I'd like to see the Vikings land in Round 3:

RB RJ Harvey
RB Damien Martinez
RB DJ Giddens
WR Savion Williams
DT Omar Norman-Lott
DT Joshua Farmer
DT Vernon Broughton
S Kevin Winston Jr
CB Jacob Parrish
CB Nohl Williams

I love Harvey or Martinez.  Martinez is one of my favorite players in this draft.

[TheLeviathan]

It's not hard to read between the lines and think that KOC and the offense were pushing hard for this one.

[nicksaviking]

3 hours ago, Danchat said:

Players I'd like to see the Vikings land in Round 3:

RB RJ Harvey
RB Damien Martinez
RB DJ Giddens
WR Savion Williams
DT Omar Norman-Lott
DT Joshua Farmer
DT Vernon Broughton
S Kevin Winston Jr
CB Jacob Parrish
CB Nohl Williams

There likely will still some really nice looking RBs in R3, but the guys I personally like, basically prospective pass catchers, will go even lower. Dylan Sampson and Brashard Smith. Jacquez Hunter might get the job done out in space too.

I know they aren't the top names, but Henderson and Judkins won't be there when the Vikings pick next and a quick, pass catcher is what I'd want in a back..

[Danchat]

30 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I liked Campbell and would have been happy with that pick, but ceiling isn't exactly something to evaluate with an OL. Do they even have a ceiling?

He can't score more touchdowns or get more sacks or get more receptions. A pancake block isn't functionally any better than a normal block. Their 'ceiling' is all the same, did he keep the defender off of the RB or QB? This position is a pass/fail grade on every play. If anyone has some college info that says he can't do that as well as Booker or Zabel, I guess I'd be interested in that data.

Absolutely they have a ceiling, for pass blocking you can look at win rate / sack rate allowed and to get in the nitty gritty you could analyze how long they can last in pass pro. In run blocking, alongside of winning against the DL in front of him, you can examine how effectively he gets to the second level and can block guys in open space.

My draft board is an aggregation of several sources - all my favorite draftniks had a 2nd round grade on him and his PFF scores in college are at a concerning level. There are some things to pick apart there, with his ratings understandably dropping when he played LT. At LG, he was a very good pass protector but his run blocking grades are at a level that could be a problem. That's why I don't see Jackson becoming more than a slightly above average starting guard but it's not impossible for a player to be a better pro than college player.

He does have a 9.0 RAS on a limited scouting report which boosted him up, some noted that he is limited athletically but he should be good enough there.

As for the other guards, Zabel had dominant grades (notably against poor competition) and has top tier athleticism. But his grades are way higher than Jackson/Booker. I actually have Booker at #60 as his PFF grades were worse than Jackson's and his RAS was very bad. He reminds me of Chance Warmack, who was a top 10 drafted guard about a decade back who was supposed to be a stud and completely busted. OL can overcome low RAS (see Orlando Brown Jr) but they are the exception. If the Vikings took him, I would probably get a lot of heat for hating that pick. Not to mention he's not a fit for their blocking scheme barring major changes.

[nicksaviking]

Thrilled Henderson went to the Patriots one pick before Chicago. I did not want him going to the Bears.

[gunnarthor]

Shough and Dart before Sanders. Man, the NFL is racist AF.

[gunnarthor]

Geez. That's horrible. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44856426/derrick-harmon-mother-died-steelers-drafted-son

[nicksaviking]

48 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

Shough and Dart before Sanders. Man, the NFL is racist AF.

I mean, Ward was the first to go. As a Viking fan I wouldn't want anything to do with Sanders and I'm about as liberal as you get.