Who should the Vikes draft?

[Scott K]

I will give the Vikings a B- for the draft, with room to drop that to a c.

I am one that wasnt impressed with some of the picks. I did like the Cleavland trade, but I wasnt impressed with who they chose with the later picks they got. I liked the Kalil pick, it really was a no brainer, and if they didnt pick Kalil, I would have been giving this grade a D-. There was times they should have moved up and got a starter that would have filled a noid, rather then sitting on their butts, and taking a player that they can develop, and maybe will work. Some of the later picks, made sence, and it is hard to grade them on any of those picks, because it is such a dump shoot, and I really know nothing about the player, so I am just grading them from rounds 1-3, and I wasnt overly impressed with anyone other then Kalil. But they make the big bucks, and have experience in putting together a good team, oh wait, this is the Vikings

[LMITOUT]

Minnesota Vikings

4. Matt Kalil, tackle, USC.

29. Harrison Smith, safety, Notre Dame.

66. Josh Robinson, cornerback, UCF.

118. Jarius Wright, receiver, Arkansas.

128. Rhett Ellison, fullback, USC.

134. Greg Childs, receiver, Arkansas.

139. Robert Blanton, cornerback, Notre Dame.

175. Blair White, kicker, Georgia.

210. Audie Cole, linebacker, N.C. State.

219. Trevor Guyton, defensive tackle, California.

Overview: Minnesota acquired fourth-, fifth-, and seventh-round picks "for free" when it moved down one spot in Thursday's Trent Richardson trade. The Vikings then sent Nos. 35 and 98 to Baltimore to draft Smith with the 29th pick. GM Rick Spielman picked up 2013 fourth- and sixth-rounders in deals later on. While accumulating selections is always a plus, and the Vikings made the right call on Kalil over Claiborne, a majority of the other players acquired have too many question marks for comfort. Smith is really an in-the-box safety, and those are rarely worth first-round draft picks. Childs may never be right after a 2010 patella tendon tear. Wright, Robinson, and Kalil were the class of this haul. Beyond Kalil and perhaps Smith, however, the Vikings didn't get a single surefire year-one difference maker. Spielman could have used his picks better.

Grade: C+

[james_walleye]

The one time I was desperately hoping for them to trade up was when Randel was still there very latein the second. We will see. I've read good things about Robinson and hopefully the Arkansas boys pan out. I'm not going to pretend I know a thing about the third rounders and beyond so I'm not going to say a thing about them. I liked the Smith pick. I was calling for it before the draft. I think it fills one of the biggest voids they had. He looks very fast to close over the top and im hoping ittranslate s for the vikings.

[james_walleye]

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/116...rt-card/page/19

Minnesota Vikings Report Card

Draft Picks

Round 1: OT Matt Kalil (USC), FS Harrison Smith (Notre Dame)

Round 2: None

Round 3: CB Josh Robinson (UCF)

Round 4: WR Jarius Wright (Arkansas), TE Rhett Ellison (USC), WR Greg Childs (Arkansas)

Round 5: S Robert Blanton (Notre Dame)

Round 6: K Blair Walsh (Georgia)

Round 7: ILB Audie Cole (North Carolina State), DE Trevor Guyton (California)

Grade: A-

Summary

The Vikings did a good job up front with Matt Kalil, Harrison Smith and even Josh Robinson as a potential shutdown cornerback. On Day 3 they did well grabbing depth/special teams guys who can contribute early on in multiple roles. Their Round 4 skill players are all worthy contributors.

Minnesota did a great job loading up their roster to support Christian Ponder in this draft.

[goblueM]

NO DOUBT about Spielman doing a good job in this years draft. Anyone who spouts otherwise is most likely a Pucker backer.

I dunno, most non-Vikings fans I have seen think the Vikes had a pretty solid draft. I sure think they did. Folks on here are just really negative Vikes fans I guess

[james_walleye]

Hey blue what did you think about the lions receiver pick so early?

[thatoneguy]

I think it's kinda funny how certain some people are that Spielman did badly (or did well, for that matter). Draft classes can't be evaluated for 2-3 years, at the earliest. There are always more whiffs than hits, and always some players who come from the late rounds to become superstars.

I'm pleased that they likely got two starters at their two biggest positions of need, and picked up some prospects at CB and WR, the other two biggest needs. Will they pan out? It will be fun to watch. At least it won't be any worse to watch than last year!

I'm off to go chase some panfish

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

what do you mean negative vikings fans blue? I get lambasted on here everytime i suggest anything other then "i love the move" or "it fills a need"

That draft summation LMIT posted from rotoworld pretty much sums up my feelings on the draft. Looks to me like a classic spielman draft- got a solid starter, maybe an all-pro with the first pick and then after that we usually dont hit on anyone. Of course that will have to play itself out.

I dont know how any fan could NOT be skeptical of spielmans picks based on his track record. Zep, i love how you blame Chilly for the state of the vikes. I blame Chilly for Tavaris Jackson, thats about it. What do you think spielman has been doing here all of this time? Twiddling his thumbs? What were the Wilfs paying him for before this year? His fingerprints are all over this team.

We'll see, I hope most of the picks work out. I think their strategy was pretty spot on, im just not that impressed by the players we ended up with. Drafting another slot reciever when we already have a really good one and taking a TE over quite a few other glaring needs was stupid in my opinion. But maybe they will be ballers and ill have to eat my words, time will tell.

And one more thing- if this years draft class turns out to be below average like usual, it TIME for Studwell and the entire scouting staff to get lost. Theyve had enough chances

[goblueM]

Yiggs, you didn't read much of the thread did you? I guess to be fair, half of the bashing was you posting, but there are several other posters that are negative nancys on here as well

[james_walleye]

How many teams had drafts that on paper included more than 2 sure fire year 1 difference makers? To me that is a rediculous take.

[goblueM]

Hey blue what did you think about the lions receiver pick so early?

I really didn't like the pick at first, given all the other talent on the board. But I have to respect Mayhew and Co staying true to their board, they have been doing a great job of drafting after taking over for Millen, with the exception of Derrick Williams

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Casually browsing over other teams drafts, i really like the bengals. Thats gonna be a tough division with them on the rise. How bout u guys?

[james_walleye]

I totally agree. The raiders stacked the deck nicely for them. Very good.

Hey yiggins what did you think about the seahawks draft?

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Hadnt really even looked at the seahawks draft because i strongly dislike Pete Carrol. (hate is a strong word) But just looking at their top 4 picks they got 2 guys from utah st. and Russell (T Jack the sequal) Wilson.... So i cant really say i love it. I would guess the seahawks are gonna be picking in the top 5 next year. How about U?

[james_walleye]

I thought it was awful. I heard people saying this morning nationally that they were leading the list on the blow for Barkley campaign next season. But the guy from rotoworld have them a B-. Makes you wonder about the guys credibility. Kinda hard to justify the seahawks with a better grade than the vikings....or the other teams with C grades for that matter. I mean does he just pick and choose when to apply his sure fire year one difference maker take??

[goblueM]

I think the success of the Seahawks draft really depends on how their first 2 picks pan out (Wilson was high-risk, high-reward IMO)

But in any case, I would hesitate to call Wilson a TJack clone. By every metric possible that we can legitimately compare (college stats), Wilson is the far superior player.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Yeah the seahawks wet the bed with those picks, i dont think theres any doubt. Who knows how credible rotoworld guy is, but i liked his summation. You look at the Bengals and they get a safety like George Iloka in the 6th rd. I love how the draft nazis say its a 2 safety draft. Iloka is more of a ball hawk and playmaker then smith is IMO. Exactly what the vikings needed. I dont think theres a question that H. Smith will be a better tackler then any safety we had out their last year but im not sure if he can come up with 6-8 ints which we so desperatly need out of the position

[james_walleye]

The problem is like it or not the vikings scheme doesn't allow a safety to be a ball hawk.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Vikes scheme is broke. The cover 2 hasnt really ever worked that well here. Todays NFL you dont need a safety that can take someones head off, its gonna be a penalty and a fine anyway. You need a guy that can get the ball back for the offense.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Vikes scheme is broke. The cover 2 hasnt really ever worked that well here. Todays NFL you dont need a safety that can take someones head off, its gonna be a penalty and a fine anyway. You need a guy that can get the ball back for the offense. Hopefully Smith can do some of that.

[zepman]

Vikes scheme is broke. The cover 2 hasnt really ever worked that well here. Todays NFL you dont need a safety that can take someones head off, its gonna be a penalty and a fine anyway. You need a guy that can get the ball back for the offense. Hopefully Smith can do some of that.

+1.

It is broke and I wish they'd scrap that whole scheme and philosophy.

[Jarrod32]

The problem is like it or not the vikings scheme doesn't allow a safety to be a ball hawk.

Yeah, nor does it call for a speed/cover guy like Robinson. I sense a scheme change coming for the defense...

[FISHINGURU]

I wish they ran the 3-4, Cover 2 blows goats.

I hope some of these new kids bring in some excitement to the team, our team has been beyond lame lately. We need someone on D to make some big hits and make some nice int's.

Ponders got some protection now and some new targets on offense, it should be interesting to see which players make an impact. I like all the new fresh faces we'll have out there. I'd rather not be that good but trying new things then not that good doing the same thing over and over with old fogeys.

Pretty much everyone gave the Vikings an A for their draft. Like every year that doesn't mean much though. Teams can get a C grade and end up doing stellar while a team that got an A ends up with a lousy draft.

[goblueM]

So which do you prefer? No Cover 2, or you just don't like the 43? Because 34 and 43 are for the most part independent of the coverage scheme employed by a team

[zepman]

The cover 2 has to go.

[nofishfisherman]

Going to a 3-4 has nothing to do with the cover 2. Besides why would you go to a 3-4 when that would basically take your only stud defender out of what he does best.

[Big Tom]

Day 2-3 Spielman reminded me of a first year fantasy football drafter. I'll get lots of guys on the same teams LOL. He did do well day one but the rest was a bunch of reaches and a couple of head scrathers with a 60% Kicker and a big FB that cried, (really???), because even he didn't think he'd be drafted.

[goblueM]

let me get this straight... you don't like a pick because the guy cried?

what do you think about Vernon Davis? He cried after winning a game, guess you wouldn't want him on your team?

[nofishfisherman]

Day 2-3 Spielman reminded me of a first year fantasy football drafter. I'll get lots of guys on the same teams LOL. He did do well day one but the rest was a bunch of reaches and a couple of head scrathers with a 60% Kicker and a big FB that cried, (really???), because even he didn't think he'd be drafted.

He actually has a career average of 74%.

As much as you love or hate a draft you can't judge it on the monday morning afterward. Come back 2-3 years from now and then we can judge it accurately. After the first 2 rounds its a real guessing game either way.

And give me a break about the kid crying, who cares. The kid just realized his life long dream had just come true.

[PierBridge]

The draft should be 4 rounds max!

Bottom line we're thew worst team in the division again and I don't see much hope of that changing any time/years soon!