Quote: @Bullazin said:
More and more im thinking we are sitting on a WR or TE or CB in our spot. I did a mock last night and took Wilkins at 18 and there was nothing of great value at Oline the entire rest of the draft. I would be desperate to trade down if Ford, Dillard, Taylor, and williams are all off the board
TE is possible, but I'd say the odds of us taking a WR or CB in the 1st are pert'near zero. One of Williams, Dillard, Taylor, Bradbury or Ford will likely be there (and I'd take them in that order). If not, you can trade down a bit and feel pretty good about taking Risner, Lindstrom, McGary, McCoy, Little or Cajuste. But you're right; none of the above stands a very good chance of being available at 50.
Offensive line is such a sore spot in the league and all those teams who didn't take one early (like last year it's a bad year for top end OL) will be looking to shore up in the 2nd. Last year 8 OLs went between 15 and 40.
For comparison sake, that would be like Williams, Dillard and Taylor going before 15. And Bradbury, Ford, Risner, Lindstrom, McGary, McCoy, Little and Cajuste going before 40. That's nuts but we better be prepared for it.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@"Geoff Nichols" said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@"Geoff Nichols" said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ MaroonBells said:
Replace Thompson with an OT and move the S and RB picks down a round or two and I'll take it. If we draft Lindstrom, who's a guard only, that means we have zero qualified depth at tackle. And it's unlikely we'll find one in round 6 and below.
Rashod Hill has starting experience and has played well in spurts in his young career. I guess I wouldn't characterize that as zero qualified depth. Plus I think Collins could play RT if he doesn't nail down a starting OG spot and starts the season as a backup.
However, looking long-term... I do agree that we should probably move a developmental OT higher up the list in the draft. Hill is only signed through this year and Collins might be a RFA after the season as well...
Forgot about Hill. Still, would rather see us grab an OT in either the 3rd or 4th round.
Trey Pipkins is a name to watch if they wait on OT. He won't play in 2019 but has the physical traits and feet to develop as the 4th OT for a year.
In this draft class I think you likely will need to go OT early (top 2 rounds) to get value. The interior line depth lasts through the 4th when it comes to potential day 1 starters. After the top tier OT's are off the board I don't think there is a substantial drop off between the mid-tier guys and the later round developmental prospects.
I've run across Pipkins name a few times. Profile looks good. Getting some buzz on twitter...from Andy Carlson especially. Apparently the Vikings have met/will meet with him twice.
From Twitter: Prospects the #Vikings have met with more than once:
Devine Ozigbo RB Nebraska
Lamont Gaillard G Georgia
Noah Fant TE Iowa
Terrill Hanks OLB New Mexico State
Trey Pipkins OT Sioux Falls
The Fant thing scares me. I don't want a TE in the 1st round, least of all Fant. I'll take comfort in the fact that the Vikings met with Mike Hughes zero times.
Fant definitely has his drawbacks but the upside and traits are tantalizing. I would still prioritize a high-end defensive prospect if the top OT options are off the board but he would then be next on my list. Even if it takes over a year for him to develop like most TE prospects he still can be the 3rd receiver in 2019. Assuming health and some level of blocking the combination of Thielen, Diggs, Fant, Rudolph, Cook would cause a lot of problems on paper.
EDIT - Don't get too comfortable. They actually met with Hughes twice last off-season. Once at his pro-day and then they brought him up to MN for a top 30 visit.
Thought sure they didn't meet with Hughes, but it appears you're right. I must be thinking of another pick.
Fant scares me because I heard some things about this character. Probably why the Vikings are meeting with him twice. TE will definitely be among the positions we'll consider at 18. I just hope we don't go that route. Yeah, we can get a starting OL at 50, but he's less likely to be an impact player. Plus, as I've said before, TE is just so deep this year. Much rather pair up a 3rd rounder like Warring, Oliver, Knox with a 1st round lineman than vice versa.
I 100% agree that ideal scenario is O-line in round one since TE is deep but I feel like you end up in a tough spot if Taylor and Dillard are off the board. That leaves you Cody Ford and Jonah Williams who they've shown no interest in. The team also seems to has a bias against Alabama players for some unknown reason.
The rationale comes down to a few considerations at that point. Do you view Ford as a guard or tackle and does he fit the scheme since his testing was marginal? What defensive players are left on the board? I doubt they would pass on someone like Ed Olive, Sweat, Gary. Last but not least are Fant/Hockenson available?
As of today I would be hard pressed to say they would go TE over Ford since I think the value just doesn't make sense. But I could see them going D-line over Ford if they felt they could come back and get Risner or Lindstrom in the 2nd.
More realistically if the draft rolls around to the 13th pick (Miami) and one of Taylor/Dillard is still on the board I could see this being one of the rare occasions they attempt to move up for whichever is left. If they are both gone by the time #18 rolls around and Ford is off the board I think you can safely say they won't go O-lineman unless they can trade back into the 20's and recoup a decent mid-round pick.
Lots of moving parts but the good news is that if 2 QB's go in the top 17 the Vikings will get a player with a true 1st round grade.
what are the chances KC would swap 23 and a 4th to get a corner? or are they looking at oline also?
- Garrett Bradbury IOC,
- Chris Lindstrom IOC,
- Mecole Hardman WR,
- Daylon Mack IDL
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