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James Daniels and Connor Williams.
I kinda dismissed Daniels because early on he was getting mid-first attention and I thought he would not be there, but I sense that Ragnow is now considered the top center, which could push Daniels down. One interesting thing I found yesterday is that the guy whose mocks typically finish among the most accurate has us taking Daniels at 30.
An Iowa guy, you know Daniels has been well coached. He profiles as a very smart, very athletic center with long arms. He's an ideal fit for a zone team. He played guard at one point for Iowa, but I'm guessing this is a much better center prospect than Elflein was and would probably force Elflein over to guard, which isn't a bad thing IMO.
Still, I think the Vikings would prefer the RT/G type, which brings us to Williams.
Geoff mentioned yesterday that the Vikings are showing interest in Williams. This is a polarizing player. I've read some say they wouldn't touch him. One scout called him "spoiled," an "odd duck." But others think this could be the bargain of the draft. I remember seeing some year-before projections where Williams was a top 10 pick. Then he gets hurt and has a down year in '17. So which player is he? One thing I like about him is that he seems to fit our biggest need, which is a guy who can play tackle or guard. You could have him compete with Remmers, with the loser moving inside. Vikings could trade down quite a ways and likely still get Williams if that's who they're targeting.
Based on twitter buzz and some late rankings, I'm sensing that Isaiah Wynn's labrum injury and subsequent surgery could push him down further than previously thought.
Here are a couple of names people should think about: Phil Loadholt and Matt Kalil.
Because those are the ONLY offensive linemen Rick Spielman has drafted in the top 2 rounds, EVER, in 11 drafts. The line has been in need of improvement virtually throughout that period (even the line of the 2009 playoff team was modest, at best). 2018 is hardly the first year that "everyone" has been saying the Vikings' biggest need is OL. So those 2 names tell me a couple things: - Spielman doesn't like to pick offensive linemen high. Maybe because the team had historic luck getting guys like Matt Birk late and Spielman's early drafts produced John Sullivan and Brandon Fusco in later rounds, he usually tries to supply this unit with picks in round 4 or later.
- When he does pick a lineman high, it's an OT. Even Elflein in the 3rd was surprising.
My hunch is we won't draft OL until the 3rd round. If we do at #30, it will be Williams or a sliding McGlinchey or another OT. Maybe Ragnow, but if so we will hear how he's 6'5" with long arms and will be tried first at RT. It won't be some 6'3" center or guard.
I think Daniels or Williams would be great choices. I have Williams rated higher because he becomes your RT day 1 and you kick Remmers inside. I still think that Rick ends up moving down into the 2nd as multiple teams will be fighting to draft Mason Rudolph at 30 and will be worried about the Patriots grabbing him at 31. With Wynn and Price's injuries, good chance they drop into the 2nd anyways and I think McGlinchey, Miller, and Hernandez will all be gone.
I think it is likely he takes one in the first three rounds. And I'm fine with that. Could Jamarco Jones be had in the fourth? (I know we do not currently have a 4th round pick, but that could change.) I would be fine with that. I don't see OL as our biggest need and it looks like there is a lot of depth there this year, especially for interior OL. Although my preference would also be for an OT rather than a G, if they are of equal or similar talent/grade. I think Orlando Brown at the end of the second would be fine, too.
Quote: @dadevike said:
I think it is likely he takes one in the first three rounds. And I'm fine with that. Could Jamarco Jones be had in the fourth? (I know we do not currently have a 4th round pick, but that could change.) I would be fine with that. I don't see OL as our biggest need and it looks like there is a lot of depth there this year, especially for interior OL. Although my preference would also be for an OT rather than a G, if they are of equal or similar talent/grade. I think Orlando Brown at the end of the second would be fine, too.
How could OL not be our biggest need? Berger retiring is the lone spot of the 22 that doesn't have a starter in place and our OL has one of the driest cupboards on the team.
Quote: @Jor-El said:
Here are a couple of names people should think about: Phil Loadholt and Matt Kalil.
Because those are the ONLY offensive linemen Rick Spielman has drafted in the top 2 rounds, EVER, in 11 drafts. The line has been in need of improvement virtually throughout that period (even the line of the 2009 playoff team was modest, at best). 2018 is hardly the first year that "everyone" has been saying the Vikings' biggest need is OL. So those 2 names tell me a couple things:- Spielman doesn't like to pick offensive linemen high. Maybe because the team had historic luck getting guys like Matt Birk late and Spielman's early drafts produced John Sullivan and Brandon Fusco in later rounds, he usually tries to supply this unit with picks in round 4 or later.
- When he does pick a lineman high, it's an OT. Even Elflein in the 3rd was surprising.
My hunch is we won't draft OL until the 3rd round. If we do at #30, it will be Williams or a sliding McGlinchey or another OT. Maybe Ragnow, but if so we will hear how he's 6'5" with long arms and will be tried first at RT. It won't be some 6'3" center or guard.
Who drafted RT Cook?
Quote: @Poiple said:
@ Jor-El said:
Here are a couple of names people should think about: Phil Loadholt and Matt Kalil.
Because those are the ONLY offensive linemen Rick Spielman has drafted in the top 2 rounds, EVER, in 11 drafts. The line has been in need of improvement virtually throughout that period (even the line of the 2009 playoff team was modest, at best). 2018 is hardly the first year that "everyone" has been saying the Vikings' biggest need is OL. So those 2 names tell me a couple things: - Spielman doesn't like to pick offensive linemen high. Maybe because the team had historic luck getting guys like Matt Birk late and Spielman's early drafts produced John Sullivan and Brandon Fusco in later rounds, he usually tries to supply this unit with picks in round 4 or later.
- When he does pick a lineman high, it's an OT. Even Elflein in the 3rd was surprising.
My hunch is we won't draft OL until the 3rd round. If we do at #30, it will be Williams or a sliding McGlinchey or another OT. Maybe Ragnow, but if so we will hear how he's 6'5" with long arms and will be tried first at RT. It won't be some 6'3" center or guard.
Who drafted RT Cook?
Not Rick Spielman, who joined the Vikings a month after the 2006 draft. Fran Foley probably picked Cook.
Quote: @Jor-El said:
@ Poiple said:
@ Jor-El said:
Here are a couple of names people should think about: Phil Loadholt and Matt Kalil.
Because those are the ONLY offensive linemen Rick Spielman has drafted in the top 2 rounds, EVER, in 11 drafts. The line has been in need of improvement virtually throughout that period (even the line of the 2009 playoff team was modest, at best). 2018 is hardly the first year that "everyone" has been saying the Vikings' biggest need is OL. So those 2 names tell me a couple things: - Spielman doesn't like to pick offensive linemen high. Maybe because the team had historic luck getting guys like Matt Birk late and Spielman's early drafts produced John Sullivan and Brandon Fusco in later rounds, he usually tries to supply this unit with picks in round 4 or later.
- When he does pick a lineman high, it's an OT. Even Elflein in the 3rd was surprising.
My hunch is we won't draft OL until the 3rd round. If we do at #30, it will be Williams or a sliding McGlinchey or another OT. Maybe Ragnow, but if so we will hear how he's 6'5" with long arms and will be tried first at RT. It won't be some 6'3" center or guard.
Who drafted RT Cook?
Not Rick Spielman, who joined the Vikings a month after the 2006 draft. Fran Foley probably picked Cook.
Remember the Triangle of Authority? God that was an awful idea, especially with Foley unqualified to make draft decisions.
Quote: @AGRforever said:
@ dadevike said:
I think it is likely he takes one in the first three rounds. And I'm fine with that. Could Jamarco Jones be had in the fourth? (I know we do not currently have a 4th round pick, but that could change.) I would be fine with that. I don't see OL as our biggest need and it looks like there is a lot of depth there this year, especially for interior OL. Although my preference would also be for an OT rather than a G, if they are of equal or similar talent/grade. I think Orlando Brown at the end of the second would be fine, too.
How could OL not be our biggest need? Berger retiring is the lone spot of the 22 that doesn't have a starter in place and our OL has one of the driest cupboards on the team.
Berger retired and Sirles left in FA. And we picked up Andrews and Compton. So we have at least Rieff, Easton, Elflein, Remmers, Hill, Isidora, Collins, Compton, Andrews, ....
At CB we are fine with Rhodes, Waynes, and even Alexander. But what if teams decide to go 4-wide? Who do you put in? Sherels? And don't even think about one of the starters getting injured.
I'm a lot more comfortable Compton, Hill, Isidora, Collins, and Andrews than with Sherels. I think CB is a much bigger need than OL.
I'm a fan of both Daniels and Williams. I also expect both to be gone before #30. They both have great movement.
With the overdrafting of Olinemen and QBs in this draft? - I've been saying it for months, a stud defender is going to drop ten spots or more. Even with a trade back, defenders will be littering the board late, and there are a bunch of them I like.
The CB depth is impressive. Jaire Alexander, Carton Davis, Holton Hill, Isaiah Oliver, Kevin Tolliver. These guys will come off in bunches in rounds 2 and 3. But as of today, I don't see the team passing on Justin Reid at #30. It just makes too much sense.
I'm predicting a secondary player as being the most likely choice due to how Spielman values picks and drafts.
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