Vikings Draft Discussion Thread

[Worm Guts]

I've got no problems with Gerhart, but my biggest question of the draft is whether we should have given up so much to pick a running back. I wouldn't have considered a running back in the 2nd round, let alone used our third to move up for one.

At least it's a guy who's going to make an immediate contribution.

[The Duke]

My thoughts I'm copying/pasting from another RGM board....

They selected 7 players.. but none will make a heavy, heavy impact initially. They passed on the QB, and I'm hoping that BF comes back... I'm thinking he does, and why they did not address it... the 2011 draft should be strong for QBs, and theres only going to be like 4-5 teams possibly looking for one next year.

Cook is a solid corner who may start due to the injury to Griffen
And we got our backup RB to Peterson, and in short down yardard... someone who holds on to the ball, only 3 fumbles in Collage.
Got a seal in Griffen as a TE... who does not fill a need.. but was clearly the BPA in the 4th round and provides insurance for Ray Edwards, (but I'm thinking he signs his tender soon)

With 21/22 of the starters who played in the NFC Champsionship slated to be back, I'm guessing they did not seem the need to get starters for this year on O and D... and went the Special teams route rounds 5-7 (4 picks) for this draft for them to develop into their new positions on O/D in later years

Notable Undrafted Free Agent is Terrell Skinner, strong, fast, good tackling safety. Something that the Viking can use. Single parent and disaplined

I'm just a little suprised they did not address the need on the O-Line (significantly)... a place where we clearly could have used extra dept with coming into this season. Wether it was injuries or fatigue last season, it was demonstrated that we need help there... as we're the league leader in having our RB hit before the line. Maybe we can do a patch job during the rest of the offseason, and get some cast off from other teams, but i'm still suprised O-Line was not a priority, but Vikings draft brass have earned my respect that last few years, so I'll give em time

[Devilzsidewalk]

I feel pretty good about the draft now after letting it breathe. Just that after reading the same names on the mocks, its always a shock on draft day when you start hearing weird names in weird places, but you gotta trust in the team's scouting. Seems like just yesterday when everybody was ragging on the Vikings for taking Ryan Cook and Tavaris in the 2nd round, but who's got the last laugh now? oh

[GopherIt!]

Tarvais reminds me a little bit of John Elway but with out the physical skill set, mental skill set, or orange uniform.

[Esohny]

I wish they'd been patient on the RB. They could have just waited and picked Hardesty (or hell, maybe even Gerhart would have been there) and held on to the 3rd rounder to pick Bruce Campbell to develop the OL.

[The Duke]

What kind of role do you see Gerhart playing?

I thought they would use him in situations like blocking for BF or AP, or short down yardage runs, but I'm hearing that he wont block much... and might just be there for pitches and keeping AP fresh.

I felt perplexed when hearding that...

[Worm Guts]

I'm expecting he'll give AP a breather when he needs it. Not necessarily every third down like Chester Taylor, but maybe every 3rd or 4th series will be Gerhardt's. Basically a backup feature back, maybe 5-10 carries per game. I don't think they spent a 2nd round pick to get a blocking fullback.

[Devilzsidewalk]

it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me unless he's going to get tons of short yardage work and also if they work him into the passing game for Favre ala....**** whats his name...google...William Henderson

[Worm Guts]

I'm pretty sure they drafted Gerhardt to take Taylor's touches. Gerhardt did rush for 1800 yards and 28 TD's last year with Stanford, and the fullback has never been a big part of ourt offense.

[The Duke]

Spending 2 picks... to pick up a backup for Taylor's touchs only seems like overpaying on my part. The brass's mindset heading into this draft was that we going to contend this season.

I think that if Toby role is going to be limited to only what Taylor did then we likely didnt get great value. If Toby is able to do more things then Taylor did (have a bigger game impact) then giving the 2 picks up for him could potentially be worth it.

But if you were to ask me... would you rather spend your 2nd round pick taking Best RB available for a Taylor only replacement (not Toby, if taken) and your 3rd round address the OL, that to me makes more sense.

I know that the FB has never been a big part of our offense... but the question is.. Can it? ... can we use Toby as more then just what Taylor did?... Can we line up both AP and Toby?... Can Toby block for AP, maybe additional blocks for BF, also with taking some shovel passes and running it up the gun, along with a few 3rd down runs... giving significant rest for AP.

If we see this versatality in Toby's game then justifying 2 picks for him, is much easier... since his game impact would potentially be bigger.

[Worm Guts]

I think you're decreasing his value if you put him at fullback. Taylor carried or caught the ball 138 times last year. I don't think a blocking fullback could have nearly the same impact.
That being said, I'm sure they'll try some things, including Gerhardt at fullback.

[The Duke]

I think you're decreasing his value if you put him at fullback. Taylor carried or caught the ball 138 times last year. I don't think a blocking fullback could have nearly the same impact.
That being said, I'm sure they'll try some things, including Gerhardt at fullback.

I'd argue that Taylor was under-utilized last year, but not to the fault of him. Its obvious that when you have top #2 RB in the league ahead of you... you will be utilized less no matter what impact you could of had. So the 138 times I potentially see that as low use for Taylor.

I'm not saying you only slot him at FB (or even at FB +50%), but I think you should defintely try him there more then a few times especially if its reasonably effective. Sometimes he could just be a decoy, but I think it potentially can be good.

Our OL is not elite, we all can argee with that... and Vikings did lead the league in RB hit before the LOS (I read that stat somewhere)... and since we really did not signifcantly improve the OL this offseason... it can be reasonable to think Vikes maybe towards the bottom again, which is definitely a contributing factor to why AP stats were lower then usual this year. Adding a different look at FB on a few plays a game can keep the defenses more honest, and potentially open up more holes for APs running game. I think increasing his versatility is better then sloting him only as a backup RB as a rookie.

[Worm Guts]

I'm just saying that Gerhardt was drafted for his ability to run the ball, not for his ability to lead block. Maybe he plays some fullback to put another offensive threat on the field, or maybe it turns out he's a kickass lead blocker but I can't imagine he did alot of that at Stanford.

[Devilzsidewalk]

not a fullback in the traditional sense, but whatever way they can get him on the field. If he's just a backup for AD, thats not enough usage. They should (if he proves to be able to handle it) give him short yardage touches, backup touches, and some looks in the passing game as a full back or h back or what not. Some check down touches basically. Nothing open downfield so they dump the ball off to him in the flat and say "good luck" to the corner backs to stop him before he gets a first down.

[daddyfivestar]

Think Eddie George, not Mike Alstott.

[Esohny]

Think Eddie George, not Mike Alstott.

Yup.

[The Duke]

not a fullback in the traditional sense, but whatever way they can get him on the field. If he's just a backup for AD, thats not enough usage. They should (if he proves to be able to handle it) give him short yardage touches, backup touches, and some looks in the passing game as a full back or h back or what not. Some check down touches basically. Nothing open downfield so they dump the ball off to him in the flat and say "good luck" to the corner backs to stop him before he gets a first down.

Yea this is what Im thinking of.... just get him on the feild to increase his usage in different situations.... of course he didnt do alot of these things at Stanford... but it was simply not needed there and he was more valuable as a pure RB, but he looks like someone who can potentially be versatile.... so on Minny he can be more valuable just being on the feild.... Sometimes he will be a decoy, sometimes he will block, sometimes he will catch in the backfeild and run, catch a 4 yard pass and run, sometimes he could do short yardage up the gun as a pure RB..... but only doing short RB duties is not enough.

Childress is on the record for saying they were very high on him, and called him unique.