Supafreak84's Mock Draft (version 1.0)
After having a chance to look at more tape of different players and what guys fit what we want, this is what I've come up with as an initial projection:
1. (14th) Christian Barmore, DT Alabama- I think in this scenario the Vikings are going to have some interesting players to choose from. You will probably have an elite offensive skill guy and some lineman to pick from, but to me nobody does more for our needs then Barmore who is the top DT in this class. You could argue the Vikings could try to move down a few spots, pick up some draft capitol, and still get Barmore...but there is no guarantee and I don't think you get cute in this situation. Barmore is an early draft entrant with a ton of upside at 6'5"/315 pounds. Started the year slow after a preseason knee injury but dominated as the year went on. 8 sacks on the year and plays with power while constantly pushing the pocket. I think for the Vikings who were constantly pushed around last season on both lines, you know Zimmer will be pounding the table for help along that defensive line. Sticking Barmore inside next to Michael Pierce gives the Vikings a powerful inside presence and 650 pounds of pocket collapsing power for Eric Kendricks to run wild and clean behind. To me this is the biggest impact pick the Vikings could make.
*(trade)*The Vikings have the draft capitol to move up back into the second round and I think they do that in a trade with New Orleans (60) who only has 3 picks in the entire draft and the worst cap situation in football. Vikings give up a 3rd (79th), 4th (116), and a 5th (141) to move up.
2. (60th) Quinn Meinerz, C/G Wisoncsin Whitewater- Small school division III standout who dominated and was the talk of Senior Bowl week. His tape is crazy. Can dunk a basketball at 6'3"/320 and is an incredible athlete. The Vikings need to get more physical on their interior offensive line and I think Meinerz can be plugged in anywhere and present an immediate upgrade and is a perfect scheme fit. If ever there was a lineman that had Minnesota Viking stamped all over him its Meinerz. I'm unsure where his value is at this point post Senior Bowl week but he has certainly skyrocketed and I have no issue with taking him at this point.
3. (91) Caden Sterns, S Texas- Vikings need safety help as I think its unlikely Anthony Harris is retained. Sterns is a three year starter for Texas with nice size 6'1"/210 and displays nice fluidity and really nice instincts. Candidate to start next to Harrison Smith as a rookie.
4. (110) Tommy Tremble, TE Notre Dame- The best blocking TE in this draft class. Absolutely buries defenders regularly which will boost his stock for the Vikings. I'm guessing Kyle Rudolph will be a cap casualty and depth at the position will be needed. Tremble is a good route runner and a big body 6'4"/250 who shows the ability to consistently make tough catches. Didn't post the numbers due to Notre Dame running a lot of multiple TE formations and the ball being distributed amongst them.
4. (125) Elerson Smith, DE UNI- This is just another classic Vikings pick taking a tall (6'6"/260) rangy end and Andre Patterson molding them into a playmaker. Smith is from Minnesota and has added 60 pounds to his frame since stepping foot onto campus. He who hasn't played a ton of football the last couple seasons (covid opt out), but was coached by former Viking Bryce Paup at UNI. He showed out at the Senior Bowl and displayed a nice get off and recognition. Lump of clay...
5. (155) Felipe Franks, QB Arkansas- I have been pounding the table for this organization to roll the dice on a physically gifted QB to mold as a backup...maybe this will be the year. Franks (6'6"/228) can make all the throws and has the arm strength to do it, but needs to develop more consistency in making the easy throws and work on mechanics. Highly recruited prospect out of high school who was a transfer from Florida and had a nice season for Arkansas.
6. (175) Adrian Ealy, OT Oklahoma- Big bodied, long armed, developmental tackle to add to the mix. I'm really hoping the Vikings can bring back Riley Reiff but even if they do depth at the position is needed.
7. (206) Javon McKinley, WR Notre Dame- Big bodied WR who plays the position like a basketball player. Came through as the main target for Ian Book this season in the passing game. Wont wow anybody with his speed or ability to separate but will compete, and the Vikings need more quality competition behind Jefferson/Thielen.
To me this draft makes us a much more physical unit, addresses needs, and add's depth at positions its badly needed.
What's anyone's opinion on UNI Spencer Brown? Saw him in several mocks and his size intrigued me to the point to check him out. Saw very little from him in the Senior Bowl, so I looked him up on YT. He looked very smooth for a 6-9 320 RT. His feet skill is what I always look for and his pasted. I have seen him go in a few mocks from rounds 4-6. Thanks
@"Vikes1" said: What's anyone's opinion on UNI Spencer Brown? Saw him in several mocks and his size intrigued me to the point to check him out. Saw very little from him in the Senior Bowl, so I looked him up on YT. He looked very smooth for a 6-9 320 RT. His feet skill is what I always look for and his pasted. I have seen him go in a few mocks from rounds 4-6. ThanksWhile I dont know a whole lot about him specifically, I will say that UNI has a very good program. Mark Farley is a tremendous coach who usually has their team ready when they face Iowa and Iowa State. I would not be surprised if Spencer can be a contributor in the NFL, solely based on how Farley develops his players
@"Vikes1" said: What's anyone's opinion on UNI Spencer Brown? Saw him in several mocks and his size intrigued me to the point to check him out. Saw very little from him in the Senior Bowl, so I looked him up on YT. He looked very smooth for a 6-9 320 RT. His feet skill is what I always look for and his pasted. I have seen him go in a few mocks from rounds 4-6. ThanksHe stuck out as a "who the F is that guy" at the Senior Bowl and played well. I would have no problem if the Vikings rolled the dice on him in the mid rounds
I think Minnesota needs a guy like Barrimore more than a DE. I think with Hunter and Pierce back, Wonnum might play a lot better.
@"StickyBun" said: I think Minnesota needs a guy like Barrimore more than a DE. I think with Hunter and Pierce back, Wonnum might play a lot better.Yes, we do. We could feasibly stand pat at DE with Wonnum and Odenigbo in a rotation opposite Hunter and be OK. At the same time, it's such an impactful position worthy of a BPA pick in the 1st or 2nd. Anything beyond that and we're just adding the kind of players we already have. IOW, I draft one early or not at all.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: I think Minnesota needs a guy like Barrimore more than a DE. I think with Hunter and Pierce back, Wonnum might play a lot better. Yes, we do. We could feasibly stand pat at DE with Wonnum and Odenigbo in a rotation opposite Hunter and be OK. At the same time, it's such an impactful position worthy of a BPA pick in the 1st or 2nd. Anything beyond that and we're just adding the kind of players we already have. IOW, I draft one early or not at all.
I would argue they still need one of each regardless. Odenigbo's pressure rates are much better when either rushing from the inside (aligned at DT) or crashing in on the OT. He doesn't win on the arc. Wonnum also didn't play well enough to feel confident he's more than a rotational DE himself. He can get there, but isn't there yet.That is where I think a guy like Kwity Paye makes a ton of sense. He's DE but can rush effectively from the inside. So although he isn't a DT you now have two guys in Odenigbo and Paye you could line up on the inside on pass rushing downs.
Send KC and the entire 21 draft to Houston for Watson...
@"purplefaithful" said: Send KC and the entire 21 draft to Houston for Watson...Ok, Ditka, good idea. B)
@"purplefaithful" said: Send KC and the entire 21 draft to Houston for Watson...Don't think it would be enough. Three 1sts is their starting point. I'd send Kirk, all of our "extra" 21 picks and two future 1sts for DeShaun and their 2nd. That way we still have our 1st, get our 2nd back and still have an entire draft to build a nice team around DeShaun.
That's a haul, but still not sure it would be enough.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: I think Minnesota needs a guy like Barrimore more than a DE. I think with Hunter and Pierce back, Wonnum might play a lot better. Yes, we do. We could feasibly stand pat at DE with Wonnum and Odenigbo in a rotation opposite Hunter and be OK. At the same time, it's such an impactful position worthy of a BPA pick in the 1st or 2nd. Anything beyond that and we're just adding the kind of players we already have. IOW, I draft one early or not at all.This is kind of along my line of thinking in that we could platoon Wonnum and Odenigbo again if we needed to and get something from the position, as to where we just cant do that at DT anymore. I also was encouraged by Wonnum flashing last season and with the physical skill set he has, there's upside there...
Odenigbo is a free agent... (IMO) the Vikings will probably not get into a bidding war to keep him.
I love Barmore, but I also like Nixon, Alim McNiell, Marvin Wilson and Levi Onwuzurike too.
The Vikings will either be the team that starts the run on DT at pick 14,
or they will be the team that hopes a DT falls to them at pick 79.
Or they will move out of pick 14 or move up from pick 79 to land a DT.
@"Carl Knowles" said: Odenigbo is a free agent... (IMO) the Vikings will probably not get into a bidding war to keep him.I love Barmore, but I also like Nixon, Alim McNiell, Marvin Wilson and Levi Onwuzurike too.
The Vikings will either be the team that starts the run on DT at pick 14,
or they will be the team that hopes a DT falls to them at pick 79.
Or they will move out of pick 14 or move up from pick 79 to land a DT.
Odenigbo is restricted though. They just have to tender him. Not sure he's worth a 2nd rounder tender, but the Vikings have used it in the past on similar players: Eric Wilson last year....Thielen, NIck Easton.
@"Carl Knowles" said: Odenigbo is a free agent... (IMO) the Vikings will probably not get into a bidding war to keep him.I love Barmore, but I also like Nixon, Alim McNiell, Marvin Wilson and Levi Onwuzurike too.
The Vikings will either be the team that starts the run on DT at pick 14,
or they will be the team that hopes a DT falls to them at pick 79.
Or they will move out of pick 14 or move up from pick 79 to land a DT.
Yes he is a restricted free agent as mentioned by Maroon and I don't see a real bidding war for him. He is worth bringing back for the Vikings as a rotational player who knows the scheme, is versatile, and sounds like he knows he had a down year and wants to prove he is better then what his play showed last season.
Again give me starting DL of Wonnum, Barmore, Pierce, and Hunter with Odenigbo, Lynch, and whatever else we add in the draft.....getty up!
It's more than just putting a 2nd round tender on him... I think he is guaranteed a base salary of 2.914 M with that tender. Yes, Theilen and Wilson were worth it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but do you guys really want to pay a rotational guy 3M and then possibly draft another edge rusher when we are currently over the cap??
@"Carl Knowles" said: It's more than just putting a 2nd round tender on him... I think he is guaranteed a base salary of 2.914 M with that tender. Yes, Theilen and Wilson were worth it.Correct me if I'm wrong, but do you guys really want to pay a rotational guy 3M and then possibly draft another edge rusher when we are currently over the cap??
Like I said, I'm not sure he's worth a 2nd round tender. Tender him at his original round (7th) and see what happens. That's a pretty good deal for us if no one signs him. And if they do, we can match or just let him go. Either way, I don't think it's worth much sweat.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"Carl Knowles" said: It's more than just putting a 2nd round tender on him... I think he is guaranteed a base salary of 2.914 M with that tender. Yes, Theilen and Wilson were worth it.Correct me if I'm wrong, but do you guys really want to pay a rotational guy 3M and then possibly draft another edge rusher when we are currently over the cap??
Like I said, I'm not sure he's worth a 2nd round tender. Tender him at his original round (7th) and see what happens. That's a pretty good deal for us if no one signs him. And if they do, we can match or just let him go. Either way, I don't think it's worth much sweat.
Agreed....I read an article that said that Odenigbo was the 5th most double teamed DE last season. Yes, that was because we had nothing on the other side, but to let him walk without even an original round tender is foolish.
@MaroonBells I agree. I hope Odenigbo comes backs.. but I can see another team giving up a 7th round pick and 1.5M to 2.5M for a low end starter.
Because Odenigbo didn't have the success I expected this season (3.5 sacks 3 TFL),.. it kind of hurts the Vikings ability to protect him IMO. Hercules Mata'afa (who moved to DE) and Jordan Bailford (who was added to the roster late in the year) both earned higher PFF grades than Odenigbo.
Depth at DE isn't an issue, we have D.J. Wonnum, Jalyn Holmes, Kenny Willekes, Hercules and Bailford.
Regardless of Odenigbo's return or not, the Vikings must add a blue-chip edge rusher via the draft. I would take Rousseau a 14 and then try to trade up into the 2nd rd for DT Daviyon Nixon or DT Alim McNeill.
Where is the draft at right now?... I think it's safe to say the rush for the DT class will probably not start until after the top 3 or 4 edge guys come off the board.
Daniel Jeremiah (a former NFL scout) has edge guys like Gregory Rousseau, Kwitty Paye, Jaelen Phillips and Jayson Owen all ranked higher than Barmore and Nixon.
https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-s-top-50-2021-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-1-0
@"Carl Knowles" said: @MaroonBells I agree. I hope Odenigbo comes backs.. but I can see another team giving up a 7th round pick and 1.5M to 2.5M for a low end starter.Because Odenigbo didn't have the success I expected this season (3.5 sacks 3 TFL),.. it kind of hurts the Vikings ability to protect him IMO. Hercules Mata'afa (who moved to DE) and Jordan Bailford (who was added to the roster late in the year) both earned higher PFF grades than Odenigbo.
Depth at DE isn't an issue, we have D.J. Wonnum, Jalyn Holmes, Kenny Willekes, Hercules and Bailford.
Regardless of Odenigbo's return or not, the Vikings must add a blue-chip edge rusher via the draft. I would take Rousseau a 14 and then try to trade up into the 2nd rd for DT Daviyon Nixon or DT Alim McNeill.
Where is the draft at right now?... I think it's safe to say the rush for the DT class will probably not start until after the top 3 or 4 edge guys come off the board.
Daniel Jeremiah (a former NFL scout) has edge guys like Gregory Rousseau, Kwitty Paye, Jaelen Phillips and Jayson Owen all ranked higher than Barmore and Nixon.
https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-s-top-50-2021-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-1-0
I'm not as high on Rousseau, and certainly not Paye as some others. I just think when it comes to impact getting a legitimate 3 technique to compliment the pieces already coming back does more for this team then any other position and you know Zimmer is going to be pounding the table to reboot this defense. To me Eric Kendricks was in the conversation for defensive player of the year prior to injury with Stephen and Johnson as his front. Can you imagine what he does getting Pierce in their along with say a Christian Barmore? I would certainly place Barmore's upside probably higher then most of those edge guys outside of Phillips
@"supafreak84" said:@"Carl Knowles" said: @MaroonBells I agree. I hope Odenigbo comes backs.. but I can see another team giving up a 7th round pick and 1.5M to 2.5M for a low end starter.Because Odenigbo didn't have the success I expected this season (3.5 sacks 3 TFL),.. it kind of hurts the Vikings ability to protect him IMO. Hercules Mata'afa (who moved to DE) and Jordan Bailford (who was added to the roster late in the year) both earned higher PFF grades than Odenigbo.
Depth at DE isn't an issue, we have D.J. Wonnum, Jalyn Holmes, Kenny Willekes, Hercules and Bailford.
Regardless of Odenigbo's return or not, the Vikings must add a blue-chip edge rusher via the draft. I would take Rousseau a 14 and then try to trade up into the 2nd rd for DT Daviyon Nixon or DT Alim McNeill.
Where is the draft at right now?... I think it's safe to say the rush for the DT class will probably not start until after the top 3 or 4 edge guys come off the board.
Daniel Jeremiah (a former NFL scout) has edge guys like Gregory Rousseau, Kwitty Paye, Jaelen Phillips and Jayson Owen all ranked higher than Barmore and Nixon.
https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-s-top-50-2021-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-1-0
I'm not as high on Rousseau, and certainly not Paye as some others. I just think when it comes to impact getting a legitimate 3 technique to compliment the pieces already coming back does more for this team then any other position and you know Zimmer is going to be pounding the table to reboot this defense. To me Eric Kendricks was in the conversation for defensive player of the year prior to injury with Stephen and Johnson as his front. Can you imagine what he does getting Pierce in their along with say a Christian Barmore? I would certainly place Barmore's upside probably higher then most of those edge guys outside of Phillips
I agree with you in large part, but I think you highlighted the issue with Barmore: "I would certainly place Barmore's upside probably higher then most of those edge guys". Upside eventually, but what will he be contributing in 2021? I actually see him as a prospect much like Kevin Williams: enormous potential that probably won't be realized for a year or two. Drop him into the starting lineup on day 1 and there will probably be some mistakes, not necessarily an immediate defensive upgrade.
@"Carl Knowles" said: @MaroonBells I agree. I hope Odenigbo comes backs.. but I can see another team giving up a 7th round pick and 1.5M to 2.5M for a low end starter.Because Odenigbo didn't have the success I expected this season (3.5 sacks 3 TFL),.. it kind of hurts the Vikings ability to protect him IMO. Hercules Mata'afa (who moved to DE) and Jordan Bailford (who was added to the roster late in the year) both earned higher PFF grades than Odenigbo.
Depth at DE isn't an issue, we have D.J. Wonnum, Jalyn Holmes, Kenny Willekes, Hercules and Bailford.
Regardless of Odenigbo's return or not, the Vikings must add a blue-chip edge rusher via the draft. I would take Rousseau a 14 and then try to trade up into the 2nd rd for DT Daviyon Nixon or DT Alim McNeill.
Where is the draft at right now?... I think it's safe to say the rush for the DT class will probably not start until after the top 3 or 4 edge guys come off the board.
Daniel Jeremiah (a former NFL scout) has edge guys like Gregory Rousseau, Kwitty Paye, Jaelen Phillips and Jayson Owen all ranked higher than Barmore and Nixon.
https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-s-top-50-2021-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-1-0
I think using the PFF grades for Mata'afa & Bailford is misleading since the sample size is so small. We've seen more good play from Odenigbo than any of the other DE's on the roster save Hunter. Holmes just hasn't developed & I don't even expect him to be on the roster in 2021. Willekes spent the year on IR & may need another on the PS before we can count on him to be a solid rotational piece.
We all hope that someday Wonnum will surpass Odenigbo but he's not there yet.
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