Yippee! Star Wars on Pay per View last night and Geoff's first mock!
I know this isn't your final mock but I'm going to echo Tyr's point about DT. As you've pointed out before, Minnesota was in way too many 3rd and short situations last year that really put a ton of pressure on their DBs. A lot of the successful early down runs came straight up the gut.
As much as I've pointed out that Pierce is not at the same level Joseph was when he was acquired he's definitely at a better level than Linval was the last few years. But I'd argue that Shamar was the worse player because he was as bad against the run AND he gives virtually nothing in the pass rushing department.
Jaleel Johnson is a rotational NT at this point. And he's potentially needed there since Pierce has struggled with weight at times and hasn't logged full Starter snaps in any season yet. Holmes is either a bust or a 4th string DE seeing as how Herc took his minutes as a situational rusher at 3T.
That leaves Watts. Great upside. Is it enough to bet improving the run Defense and interior pass rush on? Not if I'm Zimmer. You have to add more upside talent there. Which means getting someone before the 5th Round. Fixing the Defense starts with better run stuffing and pass rushing from the interior. Pierce helps with the run but is nowhere near the rusher Joseph was, and it's not like Linval was great at it by any measure. More is needed.
I have no issues with Henderson. He's borderline Blue Chip with the whole 'tackles like Deion Sanders' as his major knock besides not always turning his head soon enough to make a play on the ball. As you pointed out, Waynes was as bad or worse at tackling coming out and now it is one of his best traits. And CJ profiles much closer to prime Rhodes in his cover skills than Trae ever will.
Ruiz is fine. I loathe the Higgins pick but the value is right. As much as I've envy-watched Clemson over the last 5 years this is the team that I thought had some really overrated players versus previous seasons. Higgins and Terrell just scare the hell out of me. I think they have high ceilings but after watching their entire careers I feel they have lower floors than similarly rated players in this Draft. Just my two cents.
The Jackson pick baffles me. I thought Udoh was the developmental Tackle. Should Minnesota really carry 2 developmental Tackles and a Swing Tackle?
All on all kind of meh for me. But I understand this is both just the first iteration and also a chance to open our minds to some different possibilities. And the Hollis nugget is a welcome piece of news. Thanks for all you do!
I still maintain that if I joined forces with Maroon and Barrnone we could take you in a Mock Draft competition 
Quote: @"Geoff Nichols" said:
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.
As always, I appreciate the time and effort.
If I'm trading up, I add a bit more juice and get to #13 if Kinlaw gets there. That might be wishful thinking on my part, but I'm seeing several boards, sims, and mocks where is isn't as farfetched as my gray matter is telling me. Kinlaw fixes more on our D than any CB could. 13 would also be the sweet spot to grab either Lamb or Jeudy, but I doubt we go that route. I sure wouldn't.
If we stay at #22 I'm happy to grab Blacklock, but I'm higher on him than most.
I'd grab Ruiz at #25, but I'm borderline obsessed with fixing the interior of both lines.
I've liked Higgins for awhile, but at #58 I'm see a CB. I think the value is right for the position, plus I feel a guy like Van Johnson or Higgins a round or two later as better value.
I grab Uche only if we are planning on going to more 3-4. He's just too small and I don't recall us drafting a DE who needs a stool to reach the top kitchen shelves. This is where I grab Van Johnson, Robertson, or Hall.
Love the McTelvin pick.
Love the idea of moving 22 up and 25 down. Considering the incredible cluster of value, especially at CB and WR, in between 25 and 50, it's almost like erasing the cost of the trade up.
Really like the Henderson, Higgins and Ruiz picks. My head swims when I think of these WRs. So many to choose from and it's really hard to put them in any kind of order. A few I like more than others (Shenault, both Jeffersons, Higgins) and a few I like less (Ruggs, Mims and Raeger), but that's about all I can say. And I'm hugely intrigued by Claypool.
Don't like the Uche and Taylor picks. Taylor looks fast, but his footwork in his sets bothers me. Doubt that this is the future LT we'll need to draft to replace Reiff, whom I presume you're keeping where he is? Uche is just a hard no. I don't see 43 edge rusher from that 6-1, 243 body. I don't see much pedigree there either. I think he started only one year? Especially in the 3rd. You should be able to find a real 43 DE there.
Quote: @FSUVike said:
Yippee! Star Wars on Pay per View last night and Geoff's first mock!
I know this isn't your final mock but I'm going to echo Tyr's point about DT. As you've pointed out before, Minnesota was in way too many 3rd and short situations last year that really put a ton of pressure on their DBs. A lot of the successful early down runs came straight up the gut.
As much as I've pointed out that Pierce is not at the same level Joseph was when he was acquired he's definitely at a better level than Linval was the last few years. But I'd argue that Shamar was the worse player because he was as bad against the run AND he gives virtually nothing in the pass rushing department.
Jaleel Johnson is a rotational NT at this point. And he's potentially needed there since Pierce has struggled with weight at times and hasn't logged full Starter snaps in any season yet. Holmes is either a bust or a 4th string DE seeing as how Herc took his minutes as a situational rusher at 3T.
That leaves Watts. Great upside. Is it enough to bet improving the run Defense and interior pass rush on? Not if I'm Zimmer. You have to add more upside talent there. Which means getting someone before the 5th Round. Fixing the Defense starts with better run stuffing and pass rushing from the interior. Pierce helps with the run but is nowhere near the rusher Joseph was, and it's not like Linval was great at it by any measure. More is needed.
I have no issues with Henderson. He's borderline Blue Chip with the whole 'tackles like Deion Sanders' as his major knock besides not always turning his head soon enough to make a play on the ball. As you pointed out, Waynes was as bad or worse at tackling coming out and now it is one of his best traits. And CJ profiles much closer to prime Rhodes in his cover skills than Trae ever will.
Ruiz is fine. I loathe the Higgins pick but the value is right. As much as I've envy-watched Clemson over the last 5 years this is the team that I thought had some really overrated players versus previous seasons. Higgins and Terrell just scare the hell out of me. I think they have high ceilings but after watching their entire careers I feel they have lower floors than similarly rated players in this Draft. Just my two cents.
The Jackson pick baffles me. I thought Udoh was the developmental Tackle. Should Minnesota really carry 2 developmental Tackles and a Swing Tackle?
All on all kind of meh for me. But I understand this is both just the first iteration and also a chance to open our minds to some different possibilities. And the Hollis nugget is a welcome piece of news. Thanks for all you do!
I still maintain that if I joined forces with Maroon and Barrnone we could take you in a Mock Draft competition
My moneys on Geoff.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
Love the idea of moving 22 up and 25 down. Considering the incredible cluster of value, especially at CB and WR, in between 25 and 50, it's almost like erasing the cost of the trade up.
Really like the Henderson, Higgins and Ruiz picks. My head swims when I think of these WRs. So many to choose from and it's really hard to put them in any kind of order. A few I like more than others (Shenault, both Jeffersons, Higgins) and a few I like less (Ruggs, Mims and Raeger), but that's about all I can say. And I'm hugely intrigued by Claypool.
Don't like the Uche and Taylor picks. Taylor looks fast, but his footwork in his sets bothers me. Doubt that this is the future LT we'll need to draft to replace Reiff, whom I presume you're keeping where he is? Uche is just a hard no. I don't see 43 edge rusher from that 6-1, 243 body. I don't see much pedigree there either. I think he started only one year? Especially in the 3rd. You should be able to find a real 43 DE there.
I think you're going to make me a believer in Claypool. I went back and watched more and walked away intrigued too. He does more than I was initially giving him credit. We definitely agree on the group that we like a little less. Shenault is a huge wild-card to me. His testing numbers didn't do the film service, he's much like Dalvin Cook that way. But durability is a massive concern. But if he can say healthy I think he'll be a star.
Went with leaving Reiff at LT since in this iteration you couldn't get any of the top OTs. If that happens I think they pivot to a top-tier IOL like Ruiz.
Quote: @"Geoff Nichols" said:
@ MaroonBells said:
Love the idea of moving 22 up and 25 down. Considering the incredible cluster of value, especially at CB and WR, in between 25 and 50, it's almost like erasing the cost of the trade up.
Really like the Henderson, Higgins and Ruiz picks. My head swims when I think of these WRs. So many to choose from and it's really hard to put them in any kind of order. A few I like more than others (Shenault, both Jeffersons, Higgins) and a few I like less (Ruggs, Mims and Raeger), but that's about all I can say. And I'm hugely intrigued by Claypool.
Don't like the Uche and Taylor picks. Taylor looks fast, but his footwork in his sets bothers me. Doubt that this is the future LT we'll need to draft to replace Reiff, whom I presume you're keeping where he is? Uche is just a hard no. I don't see 43 edge rusher from that 6-1, 243 body. I don't see much pedigree there either. I think he started only one year? Especially in the 3rd. You should be able to find a real 43 DE there.
I think you're going to make me a believer in Claypool. I went back and watched more and walked away intrigued too. He does more than I was initially giving him credit. We definitely agree on the group that we like a little less. Shenault is a huge wild-card to me. His testing numbers didn't do the film service, he's much like Dalvin Cook that way. But durability is a massive concern. But if he can say healthy I think he'll be a star.
Went with leaving Reiff at LT since in this iteration you couldn't get any of the top OTs. If that happens I think they pivot to a top-tier IOL like Ruiz.
Wild card is exactly right. I've heard people call Shenault the best athlete in the draft and his clips are damned impressive. Runs a 4.58 in Indy. Why would he do that if he knew he wasn't 100%? Pulled out after that and went straight into surgery. So there's some questions there, but this could be a Kamara type pick for someone. I think the Vikings might be looking for more of a traditional receiver, a safer pick, but damn he's tempting. As is Claypool.
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