Draft Order

[MaroonBells]

Nobody is talking IDL?

I think its very likely Hargrave is gone and maybe Allen too. There's a chance they may have to keep Allen 1 more season due to cap issues with him

Both Allen and Hargrave's cap hit next year is $21M. Allen will likely be restructured to avoid that hit. Don't think he'll be released due to a $17M dead cap hit. But Hargrave might, since his dead money is a slightly more tolerable $10M. Or they both could be back under restructured deals. Both were invisible early on, but both have started to play a lot better lately. Could be the Flores learning curve. 

So at minimum, one of those guys will be back, plus Redmond, LDR and TID. I think LDR could be ready to start in 2026. So yeah, while we do need help there, I wouldn't put it above ILB, CB or S.

[Knucklehead]

The OC prospects in this upcoming draft project to be extremely good. When can you remember a draft that had multiple quality OC prospects? Even if Brandel improves over the remainder of the season, I still don't want to leave this draft without taking a swing at an OC. Not in the first round but certainly on Day 2. Maybe with the Darnold 3rd round comp pick.

[purplefaithful]

The OC prospects in this upcoming draft project to be extremely good. When can you remember a draft that had multiple quality OC prospects? Even if Brandel improves over the remainder of the season, I still don't want to leave this draft without taking a swing at an OC. Not in the first round but certainly on Day 2. Maybe with the Darnold 3rd round comp pick.

I think it was A&M I was watching last weekend...And they rolled 3-4 different guys in at C during a game. Their OT, OG and of course their C too. 

Crazy flexibility along their OL. I've never seen nothing like it b4.

[supafreak84]

The OC prospects in this upcoming draft project to be extremely good. When can you remember a draft that had multiple quality OC prospects? Even if Brandel improves over the remainder of the season, I still don't want to leave this draft without taking a swing at an OC. Not in the first round but certainly on Day 2. Maybe with the Darnold 3rd round comp pick.

A center I really like is Pat Coogan from Indiana. 6'5"/315 pounds. Leader of that Hoosier line. Ton's of experience. Transfered from Notre Dame to Indiana (this one hurt me) after the Irish loss in the National championship game. The kind of player you want in your locker room. Anybody wanting to add a jolt in your step should watch his pregame speech prior to the Georgia playoff game. Epic stuff

[hogjowlsjohnny]

Both Allen and Hargrave's cap hit next year is $21M. Allen will likely be restructured to avoid that hit. Don't think he'll be released due to a $17M dead cap hit. But Hargrave might, since his dead money is a slightly more tolerable $10M. Or they both could be back under restructured deals. Both were invisible early on, but both have started to play a lot better lately. Could be the Flores learning curve. 

So at minimum, one of those guys will be back, plus Redmond, LDR and TID. I think LDR could be ready to start in 2026. So yeah, while we do need help there, I wouldn't put it above ILB, CB or S.

I think it may be finally getting into shape than the Flores learning curve. Either way, it is about time.

[kmillard]

I agree with you and think it's highly likely either Hargrave, Allen, or both will be gone next season. This isn't a great draft crop of DT's, but what I do like is they are big guys. I don't know if that will ever suit Flores and what he wants on the defensive line, but I think there's certainly some benefit to being able to counter what offenses are trying to do against you.

Watching Tonga with the Patriots I realize that Flores does not need a big DT.

[supafreak84]

Watching Tonga with the Patriots I realize that Flores does not need a big DT.

He's always preferred the lighter, quicker DT's that are more penetrators then brutes that stack against the run. Certainly a risk vs reward philosophy.

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McShay had his latest notes on things he's heard from scouts. Of note;

- Was tipped off to watch South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse, and now thinks he might be CB #1 in this draft (a name to watch for the Vikings)

- Carson Beck is liked more in the scouting community then the fan community.

- Dante Moore will return to Oregon next season

- Ditto on Lanoris Sellers, although it might not be for South Carolina

[Knucklehead]

He's always preferred the lighter, quicker DT's that are more penetrators then brutes that stack against the run. Certainly a risk vs reward philosophy.

---

McShay had his latest notes on things he's heard from scouts. Of note;

- Was tipped off to watch South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse, and now thinks he might be CB #1 in this draft (a name to watch for the Vikings)

- Carson Beck is liked more in the scouting community then the fan community.

- Dante Moore will return to Oregon next season

- Ditto on Lanoris Sellers, although it might not be for South Carolina

I recently found McShay's podcast. Lots of hot takes. I haven't listened long enough to figure out if he's a true insider or if he's just throwing crap against a wall.

[supafreak84]

I recently found McShay's podcast. Lots of hot takes. I haven't listened long enough to figure out if he's a true insider or if he's just throwing crap against a wall.

He's been in the game long enough that he certainly has his contacts in league circles and all these guys get tipped off by scouts on players to watch, who's stock is falling, etc. I enjoy listening to his podcasts much more than anything he ever did at ESPN

[MaroonBells]

He's always preferred the lighter, quicker DT's that are more penetrators then brutes that stack against the run. Certainly a risk vs reward philosophy.

Been saying this a lot over the last few years. Flores has had many opportunities to bring in a true nose. Every year Viking fans clamor for one of the 340 lb. behemoths like Jordan Davis, Mazi Smith or Kenneth Grant, and every year we avoid them and bring in smaller, quicker guys. His is just not a defense that uses a fatty in the middle.