The Draft: What do we need, who do you want

[hermes]

Speculation and draft related stuff can go in here


I think that we need to get a RT to replace Cook because he is the obvious weak link on the line
and some defensive depth, on the line especially

[deeney0]

OL for sure. Of the players who could be there when we select, I like Mack, Unger, Britton, and Beatty, probably in that order. I'd really hate to see this team pass on Mack, Birk doesn't have it anymore.

[hermes]

i really like Mack and Unger too

both have played center, but Unger used to be a LT, so he has versatility

but Mack and me both have the same name so i'm drawn to him

[daddyfivestar]

My signature has my thoughts...

2nd rd #1(trade) CB - DButler UCONN. Best of the 2nd tier of corners, fast rising.
2nd rd #2(54) RG - Robinson OKLA. Slide in as starting RG on day one.
3rd rd #1(trade) C - Caldwell ALA. 1st team All-amer C, not Mack or Unger. Should fit blkg scheme perfect.
3rd #2 (#86) BPA of WR, LB, TE -
4th. Traded.
5th. KR/S - Spillman, one of the best return men in college! A huge need for pathetic return teams. Between the 4th and 5th rounders, the Vikings should have an exciting return game again.
7ths. Special teamers and depth

[daddyfivestar]

edited Mock above 2.25

[hermes]

don't you think that RT is a more urgent need than RG?

and does everyone think we need to get a tight end with the way shiancoe finished the year?

[deeney0]

I don't see TE as a desperate need, and I think C is the greatest need along the line. I wouldn't draft a guard at all.

[revprodeji]

OL/LB depth
get a vet QB and CB

[Klomp]

No clue whatsoever.

[daddyfivestar]

With FA open, some things are clear: Center is needed (Birk gone), perhaps a b/u TE (Jimmy gone).
Hermes, on your RT question I think that should be the #1 FA target Ray Willits of SEA.

With no 4th now I'm pushing for a trade back. One of KC (qb), Indy (wr) or Cincy (dt) should want to jump up.

I will revise my mock w this in mind (ie #22 for #34 n #68 and such)

d5s

[revprodeji]

jimmy resigned (*should be our FB) and Birk is still up in the air. But Oline depth is a key issue. So is a prospect MLB

[hermes]

if Rey Maualuga (LB from USC) fell to us, would you guys take the risk on him

with his personal issues and all

[Worm Guts]

if Rey Maualuga (LB from USC) fell to us, would you guys take the risk on him

with his personal issues and all

I don't think so, the Vikings starting linebackers are set and Maualuga is a 1st round pick.

[revprodeji]

I think a prospect MLB would be good for depth and development but only if the value is there. Honestly, we need to get some Oline depth bad, we are one injury away from having a horrible line. it is about time we spend some first day picks on some quality Oline depth.

[revprodeji]

You could argue that the deepest position at this draft is the OT---hopefully with that someone slips past their value mark. Maybe a top-10 talent drops do to the amount of people at this position.

Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
Alex Mack, C, California
(All considered before our first rd pick)

Eben Britten, OT, Arizona
William Beatty, T, UConn
Antoine Caldwell, C, Alabama
Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma
Eben Britton, T, Arizona
(*all prospects considered before our 2nd rd pick @54)

All I am saying is that it would be nice to add a vet and a nice prospect to the Oline.

Another area of some depth that could be addressed is the CB. Winfield is getting older, Griffin seems to have hit his ceiling as a sometimes very good but prone to brain farts CB. Gordon is a fan fav but lacks shutdown ability. I hope we at least give one of the vet CB's an interview but here are some nice prospects.

Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
(*as you see, only one CB talent before our pick.

Vontae Davis, CB/S, Illinois
Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State
Asher Allen, CB, Georgia
Derek Pegues, DB, Mississippi State
Sean Smith, DB, Utah
(You see there is more value for a CB at the 2nd rd pick)

I mentioned above the idea of a prospect MLB, I think this is better served with the secnd round then the first. Here is how I see it.

Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest.
Brian Cushing, LB, USC
Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
(*1st rd talent is rough, Curry goes top-5, Cushing might be more of an OLB and Maualuga is a question mark)

James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio State
(*Laurinaitis with our second rd pick???)

14 different players have started at LB in the past 3 seasons, so depth and stability are important.

So there is my quick understanding. Get the best Oline help in the first, and debate the CB and MLB in the second. Only exception would be if Jenkins did fall to our pick

[Worm Guts]

Our LB core is Henderson, Greenway, and Leber. They've had some injury issues over the last few years, but they're all good players. We could use some depth, but you don't look for depth in the first two rounds. If there's a great value, I might consider a linebacker early but it's definitely not a position I'd be targeting.

[daddyfivestar]

I think the Dolphins were set on signing Jason Brown for Center. Now, a very likely possibility that they'll go C with #25 or #44 which slims up the pickings. Might have to go C at #22 now, certainly at 54 if not to get one of the studs. Doubtful any of the 5 quality C's make it to #86.

[hermes]

i would love for Alex Mack to be there at 22

[daddyfivestar]

With Birk officially gone, a Center is imperative. Sullivan is backup material all the way. Cook played C in college, but he has struggled and has made nobody feel he is ready to captain the line.

RT and RG are problems as well. The DB situation is Winfield/Griffin at the Corners, Madieu/Johnson at the Safeties. McCauley is a decent backup but an upgrade could be found in this draft. Sharper is gone as well.

Also, the other HUGE weakness is Special Teams Returner. I have been pulling for the 5th round pick (#150) to be used on CJ Spillman (Marshall) who was one of the nations best returners and can be a 4th safety.

I'm liking a trade down: Say Wells is sitting there unpicked at 22.... the Browns would be ripe to snag him - moving up with their two 2nds, 36 and 50.

My ideal: #36 Max Unger C, #50 Darius Butler CB, #56 Phil Loadholt RT, 86 Derek Williams WR, #150 CJ Spillman KR/S.

Butler and Spillman were outstanding return men this year.

[hermes]

what about darius raynaud as returner?

he did ok last year