NFL's highest paid OLs

[MaroonBells]

I was referencing for this upcoming season. I think it would be difficult for a rookie safety to make much of an impact outside of special teams and I think it's imperative we get an immediate return on investment, not only for the team but also a GM who doesn't have a contract extension and has gotten basically zero impact from 3 of the 4 first round picks he's made. Why draft a safety who will be firmly buried behind two high performing vets (Smith/Mattelus), a young guy who was just extended in Theo Jackson (who the head coach is excited about), and maybe even Jay Ward who has been in and learned a complex system for a couple years already. Why, when we could realistically draft a starting lineman or an impact weapon to help out the young quarterback? If we are talking for next season, yes you could draft and stash a rookie safety looking for them to start in 2026, but in my opinion you'd get a minimal return on investment for this season and I don't think we are in a position to do that.

I guess I don't see a G, DT, RB, CB as any different. IOW, I don't see those positions having an easier path to a starting job than a Safety. The CB, DT and RB would be rotational at best. I'm also not sure why so many assume that the guard we take there will immediately start ahead of Brandel. I was looking at the guards taken in the first round the last 3 years. Couple were busts and a couple were OK. None were very good out of the gate. But the assumption seems to be that a guard will be our path to an elite OL. 

That's probably true for any position, but for the first time in many years, I think the Vikings are in a unique position to take the best player available (among our needs). I think we should just do that and not worry as much about the DEGREE of need at a particular position. JMO.

[supafreak84]

I guess I don't see a G, DT, RB, CB as any different. IOW, I don't see those positions having an easier path to a starting job than a Safety. The CB, DT and RB would be rotational at best. I'm also not sure why so many assume that the guard we take there will immediately start ahead of Brandel. I was looking at the guards taken in the first round the last 3 years. Couple were busts and a couple were OK. None were very good out of the gate. But the assumption seems to be that a guard will be our path to an elite OL. 

That's probably true for any position, but for the first time in many years, I think the Vikings are in a unique position to take the best player available (among our needs). I think we should just do that and not worry as much about the DEGREE of need at a particular position. JMO.

Well I think you could assume that because Brandel wasn't very good last year. You could draft a guard knowing there's a likelihood they upgrade that position for you as a starter and like we've mentioned, we'll need the flexibility to cover for the loss of Darrisaw early in the season. A DT gives you immediate juice in rotation and we've talked about the importance of strong line play when it comes to the postseason. You can't keep building from the outside-in and investing premium picks at non key positions that you can find help at any day of the week. I'm just going to assume we sign Samuel or Jack Jones to round out the cornerback group, so from there fortifying either line or getting your young QB a weapon on offense should be the priority on draft day, but who knows...this is Kwesi and Grogson we are talking about.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

I wouldn't be surprised to see them take a tackle and move him to guard, but not in the first round. The assumption that guard will be the path to an elite line is a good thought. The more support you can give JJM to ease his path to franchise QB, the better. Offensive linemen taken high and starting is a baptism by fire. They usually don't come into their own until year two. The only way I see them taking a guard is if they can find a trading partner and move back, taking a guard with their second pick.
I can see them taking a safety if one of the two special safeties are available with their first pick, or a cornerback.
A defensive tackle would be a possibility if there is a special talent available, but they really don't need to draft a young one until next year. I feel the same way about running back. I also think a tight end would be possible if the one tight end that is special fell to the Vikings. It would truly be an asset for a young QB.