NFL Draft Talk

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Anand Nanduri

@NanduriNFL

Updated Caesar’s odds as of this morning

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This would not surprise me...



Round 1, No. 23: Deonte Banks, CB, MarylandThis selection should not surprise you. Brugler ranks Banks as the fourth-best cornerback in the 2023 class. He also projects as “an outside, press-man cornerback,” according to Brugler, and those qualities align perfectly with what Brian Flores’ defense needs.

This pick makes a world of sense. One NFL scout raved about Banks’ physicality, telling Brugler: “His dog mentality sets the tone for that secondary.” I can almost hear Flores saying those words. Banks is physical. He is aggressive. He is capable of stepping onto the field early and making an impact.
I can already hear your angst. Another cornerback in the first round? Really?
You’re right to be skeptical after Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Mike Hughes and Jeff Gladney. You would also have a point if you mention that the Vikings spent notable draft capital at this position last year (Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans). It’s just that teams need cornerback depth, and it’s not every day they come across a long and muscular talent who can run with elite wideouts.
Again, that’s why this one makes sense.
vikings-mock-draft-nfl-deonte-banks

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i dont get the angst on drafting CB,   how many other positions regularly have 3 players on the field at any time and from a defensive standpoint are playing what is likely the most difficult position in terms of how the league has changed the rules to hinder your success?  its a pass first league and having a cupboard full of cheap talented corners is a not a dumb move,  now there may be more pressing positions,  but if the talent is there at CB and the other areas of need are not... hard to be to pissed at taking CB.

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@JimmyinSD said:
i dont get the angst on drafting CB,   how many other positions regularly have 3 players on the field at any time and from a defensive standpoint are playing what is likely the most difficult position in terms of how the league has changed the rules to hinder your success?  its a pass first league and having a cupboard full of cheap talented corners is a not a dumb move,  now there may be more pressing positions,  but if the talent is there at CB and the other areas of need are not... hard to be to pissed at taking CB.

We're definitely taking a CB, just not necessarily in the 1st round. The presumptive starters are Murphy, Booth and Evans. Based just on pedigree, that's a pretty sound trio. The concern is obviously the injury risk for Booth and Evans, so I think we either add qualified competition for them in rounds 1-4, or we sign a free agent after the draft. Still quite a few good veteran CBs out there on the market. 

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typically I dont really get to wound up about being ready to go with the first pick when the vikings are not drafting until mid 20s,  but this year,  with the unknowns,  the potential of trading away disgruntled talent that could have some decent value,  or in Cousins case not disgruntled but still of value,  I really have no idea what to expect... of course I never expected last year either so ... get that popcorn ready yall.

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@JimmyinSD said:
i dont get the angst on drafting CB,   how many other positions regularly have 3 players on the field at any time and from a defensive standpoint are playing what is likely the most difficult position in terms of how the league has changed the rules to hinder your success?  its a pass first league and having a cupboard full of cheap talented corners is a not a dumb move,  now there may be more pressing positions,  but if the talent is there at CB and the other areas of need are not... hard to be to pissed at taking CB.

At a certain age it's always hard to piss :p

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@JimmyinSD said:
typically I dont really get to wound up about being ready to go with the first pick when the vikings are not drafting until mid 20s,  but this year,  with the unknowns,  the potential of trading away disgruntled talent that could have some decent value,  or in Cousins case not disgruntled but still of value,  I really have no idea what to expect... of course I never expected last year either so ... get that popcorn ready yall.

Am I the only one absolutely terrified (after last season) at how Kwesi is going to play this draft? I still have no faith in the guy and to me this is a huge "prove it" draft for him...

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@supafreak84 said:

@JimmyinSD said:
typically I dont really get to wound up about being ready to go with the first pick when the vikings are not drafting until mid 20s,  but this year,  with the unknowns,  the potential of trading away disgruntled talent that could have some decent value,  or in Cousins case not disgruntled but still of value,  I really have no idea what to expect... of course I never expected last year either so ... get that popcorn ready yall.

Am I the only one absolutely terrified (after last season) at how Kwesi is going to play this draft? I still have no faith in the guy and to me this is a huge "prove it" draft for him...

So if Cine, Booth and Evans all stay healthy and have good seasons will you still be hating on Kwesi's first draft?

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@1VikesFan said:

@supafreak84 said:

@JimmyinSD said:
typically I dont really get to wound up about being ready to go with the first pick when the vikings are not drafting until mid 20s,  but this year,  with the unknowns,  the potential of trading away disgruntled talent that could have some decent value,  or in Cousins case not disgruntled but still of value,  I really have no idea what to expect... of course I never expected last year either so ... get that popcorn ready yall.

Am I the only one absolutely terrified (after last season) at how Kwesi is going to play this draft? I still have no faith in the guy and to me this is a huge "prove it" draft for him...

So if Cine, Booth and Evans all stay healthy and have good seasons will you still be hating on Kwesi's first draft?

That's a big "if." A lot will go into that determination including how Christian Watson and Jameson Williams perform..

Kwesi has to have some impact from this draft 

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Jaxson Smith-Njigba will be in Minnesota this week to meet with the Vikings