72+ Hours Out

FWIW - I also watched the college highlight tape of Andrew Thomas - LT Georgia, drafted by Giants at #4.  I then watched all the highlight tapes of Sewell, Slater, and Darrisaw and all 3 looked way better then Thomas.  I know based on highlight tapes but those are the best plays of each player.  Thomas also had a very so-so year for the Giants. 

Another note:  Thomas has 36 1/8 arms - WOW!

The other Tackles taken in the mid 1st round played much better - Becton, Willis and Wilf's (34" arms) was excellent at RT.  

No real point just an observation :)

@"minny65" said:

@"TBro" said:

@"minny65" said: We need a new LT and a Guard from this draft.  I don't want to move O'Neil or Cleveland and I have no idea how our brass feels about moving anyone around.  It has not worked out to well in our past but nothing has in terms of OL.  

MY take: Sewell with a decent gap, then Slater and not much of a gap with Darrisaw.  Slater has the edge over Darrisaw getting to the second level run blocking but Darrisaw has the arm length advantage in pass protection. But Slater is no slouch in pass pro, he has great hands and positioning.  Darrisaw also played all 3 years and improved each year.  There are some questions about Slater being a LT or a Guard where that is not a question with Darrisaw.  

My nightmare scenario for round 1 is that all 3 of these guys are gone before our pick and we settle on AVT who is a Guard.  I want a LT in round 1.  I think we can find a Guard in the later rounds.  I have an interest in the Christensen (BYU).  Played LT but doesn't have the length to play T in the NFL.  A lot of his workout numbers are very similar to Ezra from last year, not Better then Ezra, but similar.  I had to get that in there:)  Would really like one of the Big 3 at #14 and the BYU kid with one of our 4th rounders.  

"I think we can find a Guard in the later rounds" Did Rick pay you to write this? Go back and look at the starting offensive lines since Hutchinson in 2011 and see how well that strategy has worked out for us. I disagree with you that we would be "settling" if we picked AVT at 14. He is consistently ranked inside the Top 15 overall prospects in this draft. Your nightmare scenario will very likely become reality on draft day as Darrisaw seems to be gaining momentum and moving up draft boards with his measurables. I'd much rather have a Pro Bowl Guard in AVT than taking my chances with the second tier tackles in this draft thinking they will be effective day 1 starters. None of them are worth the #14 pick so unless you can execute a trade down what is your contingency plan to draft a starting Left Tackle? I don't disagree that moving OLineman around has not worked out well, but when we took O'Neill, he was supposed to be our LT project that needed time to build up his body and add bulk/strength. He got to play much earlier than expected and really excelled at RT his rookie year. He has the physical traits and athleticism to be an excellent LT in the NFL. He has had time to work on his body, and is a proven commodity unlike the prospects in this draft. My bet is that he also wants the money that goes along with being a LT and will lobby to make the change on his own as he will be a free agent after this season. Two Rookie Oline starters when we don't have a second round pick is a lot to expect out of this draft which is why I'm open to moving the assets we have to other positions to fill our needs.  

Yea we pretty much disagree in terms of Tackle vs Guard.  Why do you throw "Rick paying me to write"??  Like I said we need both a LT and a Guard this draft and Rick didn't pay me to say that? 

Funny about O'Neil, as well, because I was one of the few who loved the pick at that time.  I also took a lot of crap for saying he would be starting before his rookie year was over.  

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I'm with Geoff here. AVT looks like a guard. We can get some quality players at that position is the 3rd and 4th rounds. The names projected to be on the board still in those rounds is impressive and there will be some talent available.

Again, I'm sticking with my prediction of Jaelen Phillips in the first round with the offensive line being addressed with multiple picks afterward 

I'm in this camp for the most part with the expectations I think the gameplan will be:

1. Best Case Scenario: Sewell/Slater if a trade up is reasonable or they get lucky
2. Next Best Scenario: Phillips
3. Worst Case Scenario: If all 3 are gone trade back and take one of the other edge rushers in the 1st 

So you are not a fan of Darrisaw at 14?

Not over an edge rusher. He would be a consideration in a trade back but doubtful he would last much past #14. If they trade back they'll have plenty of ammunition to add an OT later. 

@"BarrNone55" said: https://zonecoverage.com/2021/minnesota-vikings-news/forget-arm-length-alijah-vera-tucker-is-a-tackle/

https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/.amp/news/five-takeaways-vikings-rick-spielman-2021-nfl-draft-press-conference?__twitter_impression=true

@"minny65" said: Darrisaw has the arm reach, played all 3 years without last year opt-out, and got better every year.  I would love him at 14 waaay before AVT who is clearly a Guard.  I think their is a huge drop-off from Darrisaw to the next guy and I don't want to settle for a drop off player.  I want one of the Big 3 and will be very bummed if we don't get one of them.  

I am in the same boat. Darrisaw is so good on his feet and he has great leverage. Plays well on his feet and dominates his opponent. He doesn't lose against speed or power and it will be a p;ug and play 10 year LT.

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I'm with Geoff here. AVT looks like a guard. We can get some quality players at that position is the 3rd and 4th rounds. The names projected to be on the board still in those rounds is impressive and there will be some talent available.

Again, I'm sticking with my prediction of Jaelen Phillips in the first round with the offensive line being addressed with multiple picks afterward 

I'm in this camp for the most part with the expectations I think the gameplan will be:

1. Best Case Scenario: Sewell/Slater if a trade up is reasonable or they get lucky
2. Next Best Scenario: Phillips
3. Worst Case Scenario: If all 3 are gone trade back and take one of the other edge rushers in the 1st 

@"AGRforever" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I'm with Geoff here. AVT looks like a guard. We can get some quality players at that position is the 3rd and 4th rounds. The names projected to be on the board still in those rounds is impressive and there will be some talent available.

Again, I'm sticking with my prediction of Jaelen Phillips in the first round with the offensive line being addressed with multiple picks afterward 

I'm in this camp for the most part with the expectations I think the gameplan will be:

1. Best Case Scenario: Sewell/Slater if a trade up is reasonable or they get lucky
2. Next Best Scenario: Phillips
3. Worst Case Scenario: If all 3 are gone trade back and take one of the other edge rushers in the 1st 

ooofffttttaaa

How do you draft a guy who was told to retire because he had his bell rung to many times?

Ok....

If you're going to speak Minnesotan, it's spelled and pronounced Uff da

@"purplefaithful" said: Ok....

If you're going to speak Minnesotan, it's spelled and pronounced Uff da

@"BarrNone55" said:

@"AGRforever" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I'm with Geoff here. AVT looks like a guard. We can get some quality players at that position is the 3rd and 4th rounds. The names projected to be on the board still in those rounds is impressive and there will be some talent available.

Again, I'm sticking with my prediction of Jaelen Phillips in the first round with the offensive line being addressed with multiple picks afterward 

I'm in this camp for the most part with the expectations I think the gameplan will be:

1. Best Case Scenario: Sewell/Slater if a trade up is reasonable or they get lucky
2. Next Best Scenario: Phillips
3. Worst Case Scenario: If all 3 are gone trade back and take one of the other edge rushers in the 1st 

ooofffttttaaa

How do you draft a guy who was told to retire because he had his bell rung to many times?

With fingers, toes, and eyes crossed.

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"BarrNone55" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"BarrNone55" said: https://zonecoverage.com/2021/minnesota-vikings-news/forget-arm-length-alijah-vera-tucker-is-a-tackle/

Yeah, I saw that but didn't bother reading it. Is it possible that AVT stays at tackle in the NFL? You bet. But it's pretty  unlikely. The tackles who survive out there with 32 inch arms are rare. 

If he's the pick, maybe you throw him out there with O'Neill and Cleveland and just see who wins the job.

I don't want tackle over guard as much as I don't want a bust. History tells us that 1/3 of the 1st round will be hits, 1/3 will be misses and the rest will be in between. If that means taking a safe player, I'm all for it. Even if he plays guard. We just can't miss. 

The article is based on his speed/cherry picks some of the fundamentals he shows on tape. Reality is when he played against high-end NFL talent (Thibodeaux) he got annihilated at tackle. 

Understood, but you're talking about a guy who is probably gone in the first 30 minutes of the 2022 draft. 

Agreed. But the Vikings LT is going to have the honor of playing against Khalil Mack x2, Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, both Bosa's, etc.. Thibodeaux may have ended up being the least talented rusher AVT went against in the past 365 days... ok that is a joke, but you see what I'm saying. 

@"purplefaithful" said: Ok....

If you're going to speak Minnesotan, it's spelled and pronounced Uff da

@"TBro" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I'm with Geoff here. AVT looks like a guard. We can get some quality players at that position is the 3rd and 4th rounds. The names projected to be on the board still in those rounds is impressive and there will be some talent available.

Again, I'm sticking with my prediction of Jaelen Phillips in the first round with the offensive line being addressed with multiple picks afterward 

I'm in this camp for the most part with the expectations I think the gameplan will be:

1. Best Case Scenario: Sewell/Slater if a trade up is reasonable or they get lucky
2. Next Best Scenario: Phillips
3. Worst Case Scenario: If all 3 are gone trade back and take one of the other edge rushers in the 1st 

So you are not a fan of Darrisaw at 14?

Not over an edge rusher. He would be a consideration in a trade back but doubtful he would last much past #14. If they trade back they'll have plenty of ammunition to add an OT later. 

You talked about Phillips being removed from several team's round 1 boards due to his medical status and not having good info on him. From your sources, are the Vikings one of those teams and if so, will they still pick an Edge Rusher at 14? Paye?

Not to beat a dead horse but I would take the opposite approach of your scenarios above and use our 3rd and 4th round picks to target one of the Second Tier Edge Rushers who we can have Patterson develop like Wonnum. We could package some of those picks and move up into the 2nd to draft someone like Boogie Basham who had great production at Wake Forest. With Edge Rusher talent in the first round being questionable this year, I'm like you and not wanting to take that risk with investing a high draft pick. Picking AVT or Darrisaw isn't as sexy, but I think it's more of a sure thing as all of the other Edge prospects have questions. 

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"TBro" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I'm with Geoff here. AVT looks like a guard. We can get some quality players at that position is the 3rd and 4th rounds. The names projected to be on the board still in those rounds is impressive and there will be some talent available.

Again, I'm sticking with my prediction of Jaelen Phillips in the first round with the offensive line being addressed with multiple picks afterward 

I'm in this camp for the most part with the expectations I think the gameplan will be:

1. Best Case Scenario: Sewell/Slater if a trade up is reasonable or they get lucky
2. Next Best Scenario: Phillips
3. Worst Case Scenario: If all 3 are gone trade back and take one of the other edge rushers in the 1st 

So you are not a fan of Darrisaw at 14?

Not over an edge rusher. He would be a consideration in a trade back but doubtful he would last much past #14. If they trade back they'll have plenty of ammunition to add an OT later. 

You talked about Phillips being removed from several team's round 1 boards due to his medical status and not having good info on him. From your sources, are the Vikings one of those teams and if so, will they still pick an Edge Rusher at 14? Paye?

Not to beat a dead horse but I would take the opposite approach of your scenarios above and use our 3rd and 4th round picks to target one of the Second Tier Edge Rushers who we can have Patterson develop like Wonnum. We could package some of those picks and move up into the 2nd to draft someone like Boogie Basham who had great production at Wake Forest. With Edge Rusher talent in the first round being questionable this year, I'm like you and not wanting to take that risk with investing a high draft pick. Picking AVT or Darrisaw isn't as sexy, but I think it's more of a sure thing as all of the other Edge prospects have questions. 

I went back in that thread early this week and mentioned Phillips did make the Vikings board. What we don't know is if he was moved down due to his medicals. I do think they like him a lot. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"TBro" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I'm with Geoff here. AVT looks like a guard. We can get some quality players at that position is the 3rd and 4th rounds. The names projected to be on the board still in those rounds is impressive and there will be some talent available.

Again, I'm sticking with my prediction of Jaelen Phillips in the first round with the offensive line being addressed with multiple picks afterward 

I'm in this camp for the most part with the expectations I think the gameplan will be:

1. Best Case Scenario: Sewell/Slater if a trade up is reasonable or they get lucky
2. Next Best Scenario: Phillips
3. Worst Case Scenario: If all 3 are gone trade back and take one of the other edge rushers in the 1st 

So you are not a fan of Darrisaw at 14?

Not over an edge rusher. He would be a consideration in a trade back but doubtful he would last much past #14. If they trade back they'll have plenty of ammunition to add an OT later. 

You talked about Phillips being removed from several team's round 1 boards due to his medical status and not having good info on him. From your sources, are the Vikings one of those teams and if so, will they still pick an Edge Rusher at 14? Paye?

Not to beat a dead horse but I would take the opposite approach of your scenarios above and use our 3rd and 4th round picks to target one of the Second Tier Edge Rushers who we can have Patterson develop like Wonnum. We could package some of those picks and move up into the 2nd to draft someone like Boogie Basham who had great production at Wake Forest. With Edge Rusher talent in the first round being questionable this year, I'm like you and not wanting to take that risk with investing a high draft pick. Picking AVT or Darrisaw isn't as sexy, but I think it's more of a sure thing as all of the other Edge prospects have questions. 

I went back in that thread early this week and mentioned Phillips did make the Vikings board. What we don't know is if he was moved down due to his medicals. I do think they like him a lot. 

I could be wrong about this, but I tend to think that if you're on a team's board, you're on a team's board at full value. There is no injury caution baked into where you're ranked. In other words, if the Vikings were concerned at all about his medical, he wouldn't be on their board at all. 

Just something I think I think.