03-29-2021, 03:05 PM
Quote: @"Geoff Nichols" said:
Just hard to see drafting a guy who might play 30% of the snaps his first season. And then when you factor in Parson's bust factor...I think Barr's replacement comes in the 3rd or 4th.@MaroonBells said:
If Pitts made it to #14 I think they would run to the podium. Regardless of position he is a top 5 talent in the draft class.@"Geoff Nichols" said:
I'm not convinced of it either. Your above lineup is as likely as anything. I just don't know what they think of Udoh. I loved his college tape and his Senior Bowl and this will be his 3rd season. If he's truly a player then he should be ready to roll this year. We'll see I guess.@"BarrNone55" said:
I'm not 100% convinced they are locked in on an OT at #14. Sure if Slater or Sewell make it you pull the trigger. They will definitely draft O-line but if they walk in with something like:@MaroonBells said:
And with that, another mock. Yeah, I'll take this...
Maybe it's group think, but outside of Sewell, I've mocked each of these guys as well. I think at 14 we definitely go LT. I'd mail in the rest if we land Sewell. Tone setter. Then Meinerz? Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.
LT: O'Neill / Hill (Swing)
LG: Cole / TBD FA / Hinton
C: Bradbury
RG: Cleveland
RT: Udoh
That really screams you take the best player in round 1 and then maneuver the board to add an OT (arguable the deepest position in this draft) and guard.
EDIT: If they add another FA guard, which is a safe assumption, I do not think the line will be any worse than it was last season going into the draft.
The great thing about it though is that the best player available might just be a OT (Sewell, Slater) or a G (Slater, AVT). You could also make a similar argument that with Weatherly and Wonnum rotating, they might feel OK with what they have opposite Hunter. But again, BPA might just be an edge (Phillips, Oweh).
They certainly won't be taking a DB. LB would be stupid. Can't see a QB. PItts maybe but only if they don't use him as a TE. So that leaves WR as the only remaining position possibility IMO. That's hard to see though, considering the depth of this WR class and whoever it is would be WR3. Scary fun, but I question the wisdom.
As crazy as it sounds I think they would consider Parsons if they are ok with his background (character). The idea of adding Tomlinson was to allow the LBs to play more coverage and work more near the line of scrimmage and you could effectively get out of using the nickel package with Barr/Kendricks/Parsons. I agree the value doesn't probably make sense but they could really create some crazy pressure package since Parsons is very good at getting after the QB. It also sets you up to move on from Barr next off-season. I would recommend moving up/down to avoid the situation but I do think they would go LB over a WR or Safety.
Seems to me the Vikings are re-organizing their roster in a more financially sensible way: Big investments at QB and DL where it should be. Safeties are no longer the highest paid DBs, that is now, and will continue to be, CB. They are no longer paying big money to a 4-3 OLB and will likely have a 2nd year player there next season. And if they draft a tackle at 14, then the OL will be structured properly with big investments at T and less inside.
