04-03-2020, 09:21 PM
The inaugural mock otherwise known as quarantine boredom. As always, here is the drill. Leading up to the draft I walk through numerous difference scenarios that I view as realistic for the Vikings concluding with a final mock on draft day which is a legitimate prediction. Part of my goal is to expose some of you to different players and see how the team can potentially find value in the later rounds. I don't want to talk your ear off... so here we go:
1(16) via ATL - CJ Henderson (CB/Florida): Team trade up? Typically the Vikings let the draft come to them, but with a surplus of picks they have the ability to get "their" guys. In this case they trade up to pick #16 using #22, 3rd round pick #105, and a 6th round pick #205. The prize? The second best CB in this years class and a ball of clay for Zimmer to work with. Henderson mirrors in coverage as well as anyone in this class and understands how to play the ball down the field. Although his ball production was a bit low, he has active hands and challenges receivers of all types at the catch point. Some will point out that he doesn't want to play downhill physically but Zimmer was able to overcome that with Trae Waynes who was a similar prospect in some regards. Point is, the Vikings get a clear CB1 prospect who can come in and start day 1 on the outside.
2 (36) via NYG - Cesar Ruiz (OG/Michigan): To help offset the cost of trading up the Vikings recoup a 3rd round pick #99 to allow the Giants to start the rush on edge rushers that is likely to occur at the back half of the 1st round. It may be a surprise that the Vikings target the interior O-line here but they've set themselves up to be flexible. Depending on how the board falls they need to add a day 1 starter at either OT or OG and Ruiz is a plug and play option along the interior. Although he is not your prototypical fit in the zone blocking scheme, he is serviceable and brings a level of physicality and grit. He is the type of anchor that would fit great next to last years 1st round pick Garrett Bradbury who I would expect to take a large leap forward. This likely means sticking with Riley Reiff which likely will leave some displeased, but he is a functional LT and the overall O-line room is improving.
2 (58) - Tee Higgins (WR/Clemson): Over the years Gary Kubiak has always been heavily dependent on his WR 1 & 2 but rarely are they similar players. In an ideal world you are able to have two players who as a duo can work the middle of the field, stretch the defense vertically, and win with size in the red zone. What does this paint a picture of? Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Thielen fits the Sanders role to a 'T' while Higgins can be the 'X' receiver who works on the outside. He isn't nearly the physical freak that Thomas was but has been nitpicked too much during the pre-draft process leading to his slight drop in a loaded WR class. At his best, Higgins wins down the field and it a ball magnet in contested catch situations. He may have the best hands in the draft. Although he won't necessarily win regularly with athleticism he adjusts to the ball extremely well and shows late hands to shield the ball away from defenders. I also don't believe he is a finished product and may be a better NFL player when placed in a 2 WR set vs. playing out of the spread. Another player who can come in and contribute immediately early for MN.
3 (89) - Josh Uche (EDGE/Michigan): You can get in an argument all day if Uche was used properly at Michigan or not. Point is, he has all the athletic traits you look for in an NFL edge rusher. He has tremendous bend and an excellent first step. What he lacks are true counters and hand placement. Over the years the Vikings have made their money taking athletic rushers and teaching them how to rush the passer. Uche isn't a player who will be a regular starter day 1. But he does have the ability to sub in as a situational pass rusher early. Ifeadi Odenigbo deserves the opportunity to start, but this allows him to kick inside on 3rd downs or rotate off the field to stay fresh.
3 (99) - Alex Taylor (OT/South Carolina State): I played around with adding another DB here, but went back to the O-line well. There are a few raw O-lineman in this class that project as NFL starters if you're willing to wait. I view Alex Taylor as one of those better options. He offers high end athleticism and shows good balance in his pass sets. Boy can he get out and move when asked to get to the second level. Upon entering the league he'll need to improve his hand usage (consistency) and keep his pads down. But he offers a lot for a small school prospect who could come along quickly with NFL coaching. The larger question that loom is, can he play on the left side?
4 (132) - Reggie Robison II (CB/Tulsa): If I could choose one player I think is being slept on in this class, Robinson may be at the top of the list. Talk about a highly athletic outside corner who has the size to go with it. Robinson offers a tremendous physical skill-set to work with at the NFL level. He needs to refine the nuances of the CB position but has shown production throughout his collegiate career. Sometimes when you watch the film you just say "This guy can play". His biggest weakness early on will his inability to pace himself throughout routes. Instead of being physical at the stem he will need to learn to anticipate and hit the break. For MN is offers a good depth piece and likely rounds out a DB room that is more talented than most are suggesting. A starting 3 of Henderson, Hughes, and Hill can easily get the job done.
1(16) via ATL - CJ Henderson (CB/Florida): Team trade up? Typically the Vikings let the draft come to them, but with a surplus of picks they have the ability to get "their" guys. In this case they trade up to pick #16 using #22, 3rd round pick #105, and a 6th round pick #205. The prize? The second best CB in this years class and a ball of clay for Zimmer to work with. Henderson mirrors in coverage as well as anyone in this class and understands how to play the ball down the field. Although his ball production was a bit low, he has active hands and challenges receivers of all types at the catch point. Some will point out that he doesn't want to play downhill physically but Zimmer was able to overcome that with Trae Waynes who was a similar prospect in some regards. Point is, the Vikings get a clear CB1 prospect who can come in and start day 1 on the outside.
2 (36) via NYG - Cesar Ruiz (OG/Michigan): To help offset the cost of trading up the Vikings recoup a 3rd round pick #99 to allow the Giants to start the rush on edge rushers that is likely to occur at the back half of the 1st round. It may be a surprise that the Vikings target the interior O-line here but they've set themselves up to be flexible. Depending on how the board falls they need to add a day 1 starter at either OT or OG and Ruiz is a plug and play option along the interior. Although he is not your prototypical fit in the zone blocking scheme, he is serviceable and brings a level of physicality and grit. He is the type of anchor that would fit great next to last years 1st round pick Garrett Bradbury who I would expect to take a large leap forward. This likely means sticking with Riley Reiff which likely will leave some displeased, but he is a functional LT and the overall O-line room is improving.
2 (58) - Tee Higgins (WR/Clemson): Over the years Gary Kubiak has always been heavily dependent on his WR 1 & 2 but rarely are they similar players. In an ideal world you are able to have two players who as a duo can work the middle of the field, stretch the defense vertically, and win with size in the red zone. What does this paint a picture of? Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Thielen fits the Sanders role to a 'T' while Higgins can be the 'X' receiver who works on the outside. He isn't nearly the physical freak that Thomas was but has been nitpicked too much during the pre-draft process leading to his slight drop in a loaded WR class. At his best, Higgins wins down the field and it a ball magnet in contested catch situations. He may have the best hands in the draft. Although he won't necessarily win regularly with athleticism he adjusts to the ball extremely well and shows late hands to shield the ball away from defenders. I also don't believe he is a finished product and may be a better NFL player when placed in a 2 WR set vs. playing out of the spread. Another player who can come in and contribute immediately early for MN.
3 (89) - Josh Uche (EDGE/Michigan): You can get in an argument all day if Uche was used properly at Michigan or not. Point is, he has all the athletic traits you look for in an NFL edge rusher. He has tremendous bend and an excellent first step. What he lacks are true counters and hand placement. Over the years the Vikings have made their money taking athletic rushers and teaching them how to rush the passer. Uche isn't a player who will be a regular starter day 1. But he does have the ability to sub in as a situational pass rusher early. Ifeadi Odenigbo deserves the opportunity to start, but this allows him to kick inside on 3rd downs or rotate off the field to stay fresh.
3 (99) - Alex Taylor (OT/South Carolina State): I played around with adding another DB here, but went back to the O-line well. There are a few raw O-lineman in this class that project as NFL starters if you're willing to wait. I view Alex Taylor as one of those better options. He offers high end athleticism and shows good balance in his pass sets. Boy can he get out and move when asked to get to the second level. Upon entering the league he'll need to improve his hand usage (consistency) and keep his pads down. But he offers a lot for a small school prospect who could come along quickly with NFL coaching. The larger question that loom is, can he play on the left side?
4 (132) - Reggie Robison II (CB/Tulsa): If I could choose one player I think is being slept on in this class, Robinson may be at the top of the list. Talk about a highly athletic outside corner who has the size to go with it. Robinson offers a tremendous physical skill-set to work with at the NFL level. He needs to refine the nuances of the CB position but has shown production throughout his collegiate career. Sometimes when you watch the film you just say "This guy can play". His biggest weakness early on will his inability to pace himself throughout routes. Instead of being physical at the stem he will need to learn to anticipate and hit the break. For MN is offers a good depth piece and likely rounds out a DB room that is more talented than most are suggesting. A starting 3 of Henderson, Hughes, and Hill can easily get the job done.
