2008 Vikings NFL Draft Thread

[A.J.]

I figured with the draft coming up we should make a thread to discuss draft picks and talk about the draft and etc.

[revprodeji]

Sad enough I will be in meetings all weekend. But I will comment when i return.

[A.J.]

Sad enough I will be in meetings all weekend. But I will comment when i return.

AW man, thats too bad.

[Klomp]

My college's Spring Game also starts at 2, so I'll miss the beginning. Hopefully though it won't matter because we won't have a 1st....

[A.J.]

I we dont trade for Allen, I really hope Harvey falls to us.

[daddyfivestar]

What klomp said - I hope kc is picking 17

[$$D-Block$$]

If we lose our first and third (17 and 73), we'd still have a second and one more third to add players that could potentially start for us. I assume the team is going to go BPA, but I hope we look towards OT and CB as our two major focuses.

At LT, we are still unsure of what is happening with Bryant Mckinnie. And at RT, Ryan Cook did show improvement last year, but I'm still uncomfortable with him as our starter. If we could get an OT that is versatile enough to play on both sides, depending on what happens with Mckinnie, with our second and some help in the secondary with the third, I'd be very confident going into next season. I didn't think CB was that big a need until i re-watched some games from the season and saw Cedric Griffin giving up way too many easy catches and easy yards. I wouldn't even mind spending the second on a CB if one fell out of the first round.

[revprodeji]

We have been very good at finding guys in the mid rounds. The 4th and 5th situations. I have confidence in that again. Also, if we do get Allen then everything we do is for depth. Which makes BPA far easier.

OT is very deep this draft, so you might get your wish with the 2nd rd pick. The only issue is that we have burned a couple 2nds on Tackles the last couple years. I agree with you that Cook improved and needs time. That same situation will happen again with a rookie. Unless a tackle is a top15 guy he is going to need some time.

CB is another deep position. There are some people who want 4 good corners in order to make our dime more effective (so teams like Green bay and NE cannot go 4 wide on us all game) personally I think our dime improves with a better pass rush and maturity of Griffin and Mac. I think Gordon is more than fine for a dime CB. But considering Winfield's age I would invest in a CB is one slips (remember Mac was considered a 1st rd prospect and we got him in the 3rd)

[Worm Guts]

We have been very good at finding guys in the mid rounds. The 4th and 5th situations.

Not really. We've had some guys who've contributed over the last 2 years from the later rounds but when is the last we've drafted a legitimately good player after round 2? Matt Birk?

[revprodeji]

I actually did an article on this for another source.

This last year we got

Marcus McCauley in the 3rd
Brian Robison in the 4th
Aundrae Allison in the 5th
Rufus Alexander in the 6th
Tyler thigpin in the 7th

Marcus McCauley was one of the highest rated CB's before the draft, is a big body who has been an amazing upgrade over Whiticker at the Nickel and might end up starting. Robison brings and energy and pass-rush we have been missing. Aundrae Allison has great speed and hands. Rufus would have been great depth if not for an injury, and Tyler Thigpin was good enough to earn a active roster spot in the league. Which is rare for a 7th rd pick.

last year we got Ray Edwards in the 4th.

I think we can find decent talent in the mid-late rounds.

[revprodeji]

the Vikings are interested in a left tackle from Toledo. His name is John Greco, he visited Winter Park, this is a very deep OT draft, we need depth there and I believe the Vikings select this guy Sunday.

Here is some info on him
6-5, 305
Impressive in postseason all-star games, driving his stock up

Played LT in college, but scouts almost universally believe his short arms and lack of foot speed will require him to move to RT or possibly inside to guard. In fact, many scouting services are projecting him at a guard.

Started all four years in college; with his work ethic and football smarts, could step in and start immediately on the right side. May even be able to fill in for two games at LT while Mount McKinney serves the suspension I'm guessing he'll get. I have him going off the board in the third round.

Other takes:
PFW: #6 guard, 3rd-4th round. "hard worker, passion for the game"
Sporting News: #1 guard, 2nd round. NFL comparison: Logan Mankins, Patriots. "fierce competitiveness"
NFL Draft Scout: #11 tackle, 3rd round.
Scout.com: #4 guard, 2nd-3rd round.

Lindy's considers him a sleeper to watch for. He is considered a "thinking man's lineman" With great versatility, intelligence and in-line skills. I see him projecting as a RT, or a very good guard.

[A.J.]

Ideally, the Vikings would like to add a player who can back up both safety spots and then eventually overtake Sharper at strong safety. In the second round, they could select the second-best safety in the draft in Reggie Smith of Oklahoma, but the more likely bet would be for them to wait until the third round and select Notre Dame

[A.J.]

Reggie Smith would be a nice pick for us. I like his versitility.

[daddyfivestar]

My Vikings Mock (the #s might be off 1 due to NE losing #31)

2nd Round (47)- USC OG Chilo Rachal
Height: 6-6, Weight: 332, 40 yard dash: 5.12
Strengths: Chilo Rachal is a prototypical left guard prospect at the NFL level

[daddyfivestar]

My Vikings Mock (the #s might be off 1 due to NE losing #31)

5th Round (150)- San Diego St. QB Kevin O'Connell
Height: 6-5, Weight: 225, 40 Yard Dash: 4.61
Strengths: Excellent size and a big frame...Terrific athleticism...Great timed speed...Arm is strong enough to make all the throws..Nice touch and timing..Is mobile enough to buy time in the pocket and make plays with his feet...Can throw on the run...Hard worker...Very competitive...Team leader...A lot of experience...Has a ton of upside.

Weaknesses: Inconsistent with his accuracy..Mechanics need some refinement..Struggles under pressure and makes poor decisions...Does not read defenses well..Still raw and is probably a better athlete than quarterback...Could have some durability concerns.

Overall: Essentially a four-year starter...Has everything you look for in terms of physical tools as well as top intangibles...An extremely intriguing prospect with the talent to eventually start at the next level..Not a finished product and will require some patience but you have to love his potential..Appears to be the quintessential developmental signal caller.

My comment: The last line says it all "quintessential developmental signal caller." Why not Dixon here? Reading more on him, I did not like some of the issues - ACL injury worse than thought, no experience in a pro-style offense and poor mechanics, and more importantly Baseball future (particularly with the knee).

6th Round (170 from KC)- Louisville TE/WR Mario Urrutia
Height: 6-5, Weight: 232, 40 Yard Dash: 4.61
Strengths: Very experienced, very productive prospect

[daddyfivestar]

My Vikings Mock (the #s might be off 1 due to NE losing #31)

6th Round (193)- Buffalo C Jamey Richard
Height: 6-4, Weight: 300, 40 Yard Dash: 5.03
Strengths: Decent size with the frame to get bigger...Quick and mobile with good range...Has a non-stop motor and always finishes...Tough and durable...Aggressive and plays with a nasty demeanor...Smart with good awareness...Team leader...Experienced.

Weaknesses: Needs to bulk up a bit...Is not very athletic...Has to get stronger...Plays with poor leverage...Short arms..Doesn't get a good push...Has a ways to go when it comes to technique and footwork....Needs to use his hands better...Level of competition.

Overall: Was a three-year starter....Might also be able to play guard or tackle at the next level...Not a finished product and will need to be developed but has some tools to work with as well as top-notch intangibles..He's similar in some ways to Matt Birk.

My comment: Birk-ish, motor, durable, nasty. I like. A few years learning from the Master and playing some backup Guard... Nice investment on a late 6th.

7th Round (209)- Montana RB Lex Hilliard
Height: 5-11, Weight: 231, 40 Yard Dash: 4.63
Strengths: Excellent size and bulk...Very productive....Decent athleticism...Terrific blocker...Is very strong...Powerful and runs hard...Has a nose for the endzone...Versatile and can play more than one position...Good football IQ and awareness...Hard worker.

Weaknesses: Bit of a 'tweener...Does not have great speed...Is not very elusive and doesn't have much wiggle...Not real quick or explosive...Hands and receiving skills are questionable..Will struggle to get outside and turn the corner..Limited upside.

Overall: Being looked at as a potential fullback....Missed the 2006 season with a torn ACL...Depending on which team he lands with he could either be a short-yardage running back or a multi-dimensional fullback...Very intriguing small school sleeper.

My comment: Cannot hurt to have a "nose for the endzone" guy on the bench and give Tahi a run for backup to the backup's backup. After AP & Taylor, there are no other short ydg rushing threats.

edit - I was really exploring a DT (for depth) in here somewhere but this lot, after the 4th rounders, seems to all have the same problem - LACK OF MOTOR which I find as a huge flaw in a developmental D-lineman, so I didn't want to waste a pick there.

[revprodeji]

This draft is being called "need based for depth" we have areas we want to address

(not in order)
1.) A DT that can play behind the Williams wall and give them a break
2.) OT-OG that can provide depth.
3.) Safety that can back up both spots and take over for Sharper when he is done
4.) A dvlpmntl QB to groom as a long-term back up

Now, that is 4 spots. We have 6 picks. "full round" mocks rarely make sense because you never know when a guy will go. I am gonna use the rounds from PFD and lindy's and specifically go after guys I have heard we have interest in.

Round 2, Pick 16 (47) Trevor laws, DT ND
----Quick step, non-stop motor. If ND was not so bad he would be a sure 1st rd guy. I have seen a lot of him and I like what he brings.

Round 4, Pick 18 (117) John Greco, OG-OT, Tulane
----He might go in the 3rd. I believe we were aiming for him with our 2nd 3rd pick. Personally I hope he falls. But we never know. I do know that we brought him in for an interview and the team fell in love. I could even see us moving up to get him. He will be a great G, or maybe a RT. Very good drive-blocker. Very, very smart player. Fierce and brawn. He is also a leader. Good character guy.

Round 5, Pick 15 (150) (safety) We want Zbikowski, but I doubt he lasts this long. Safety is a weird class and hard to project. I have talked to someone within the team that says they are very high on DJ Parker from Vtech and would like him to learn from Sharper. He is a lil thin, but is athletic and good in coverage.

Round 6, Pick 21 (187) This is where I take the highest QB on the draft board. If anyone slips. The guys I hear we like are
-Woodson
-Henne
-Booty
-Dixon
-Johnson
-Ainge
-Of course non of us knew of Thigpin last year so it might be a random guy like that. Ala Bernard Morris from Marshall (I would be cool with that)

Round 6, Pick 27 (193) Kevin Robinson, WR Utah. This is just me talking. I think of Burlanson everytime I see this guy play. I am not sure he does anything Allison does not. But a developmental WR this late in the draft is nice. Another option is Justin Forsett, the RB from Cal. He could be a young MeMo

Round 7, Pick 2 (209) Victor Filipe DT
-Always remember and never forget. Just cause you don't know his name don't mean he can't play ball. Minnesota has contacted this guy. DII tackle with very good potential.

[revprodeji]

yea, I like my mock.

[daddyfivestar]

I would love Greco, or Zuttah, but both will be long gone by pick 150 imo. That's why I went for OL in the 2nd.

DT depth will be a need but there's always next years #1 (glad it wasn't dealt) if none can be had here. Pat Williams cannot last forever.

I like Kevin Robinson as well, but figured they're not going to carry 7 WRs unless he is a TE/WR type.

Thought they swapped KC's 170 for first Vikings 6th as part of the Allen deal?

[Klomp]

My thoughts: We don't need a DT that high. Remember, we already have signed Wyms this offseason. I would take a chance on Zbi... a little higher. Maybe the lineman in the 2nd.

EDIT: just remembered we also have Boulware and Frampton at safety.