The Forgotten Draft Pick
Gavin Gerhardt didn't play at all against the Giants, got 13 snaps against the Ravens and graded 79 in pass blocking.
With Brandel starting and Jurgens looking pretty reliable as C2, I think they should just throw Gerhardt on the PS this year and see what they have with him next year. He's one of those older (24), high-character, 3-time team captain types, so he should develop quickly. Hoping we get to see a lot of him tonight.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
—George Orwell
Interesting that Joe Huber was getting snaps at center last night. I know the Vikings liked him last year, and as they say, the more you can do. If he can be depth at both guard and center, that helps us a lot, and it helps him make the team. Pretty sure Gerhardt is a center-only type.
Highest graded #Vikings @ Broncos (min. 10 snaps)
1. DT Isaiahh Loudermilk: 89.5
2. WR Dontae Fleming: 82.6
3. DT Jonathan Harris: 80.1
4. C Joe Huber: 78.3
5. RB Jermar Jefferson: 77.7
6. LG Vershon Lee: 75.7
7. CB Charles Demmings: 72.5
8. C Gavin Gerhardt: 70.9
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
—George Orwell
Oregon has a highly regarded C. Would love to snag him and move Brandel to the super-sub role.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
Oregon has a highly regarded C. Would love to snag him and move Brandel to the super-sub role.
We'll see how 2026 goes with Brandel. I think there's an even chance he sticks. Jurgens played well against the Giants, but was terrible against the Ravens. Huber and Gerhardt look promising but are likely at least a year away from contributing.
Brandel's a pretty good pass blocker, but KOC won't tolerate more than one of those bad snaps early in the year. We might have to settle for a downgrade as a blocker to get someone in there who can snap consistently.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
—George Orwell
Well, he hasn't been forgotten: he was just released from the Viking's practice squad. Not every draft pick is going to make it.
The #Vikings have released 2026 7th round draft pick Gavin Gerhardt from the practice squad, per @SeifertESPN.
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 2, 2026
They have also released Tristan Leigh, Josh Gray and Cam’Ron Stewart.
StickierBuns wrote:
Well, he hasn't been forgotten: he was just released from the Viking's practice squad. Not every draft pick is going to make it.
https://x.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2095159305133609216?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ
Not sure why we passed on one of the big 4 Cs. Blows my mind.
All I wanted out of this draft was Connor Lew. My guy the whole time. Been following him in Cincy. He is the REAL deal. Big fuck up by KOC. He is looking absolutely fantastic for the Bengals. Instead, we have a C that can't snap. Where was your spidey sense on that one KOC. FFS.
Canthony wrote:
Not sure why we passed on one of the big 4 Cs. Blows my mind.
I actually think there were only really 2 centers and then the rest were very much toss ups about whether they'd be good pros or not. Logan Jones and Slaughter and then a drop off. Minnesota has intimated they were thinking hard about a center in round 2 but went with Golday. Jones went 6 picks later.
StickierBuns wrote:
I actually think there were only really 2 centers and then the rest were very much toss ups about whether they'd be good pros or not. Logan Jones and Slaughter and then a drop off. Minnesota has intimated they were thinking hard about a center in round 2 but went with Golday. Jones went 6 picks later.
Connor Lew was very much not a toss-up coming out. Logan Jones was rated 4th among them by many analysts.
Canthony wrote:
Connor Lew was very much not a toss-up coming out. Logan Jones was rated 4th among them by many analysts.
It doesn’t matter what analyst say, matters more where actual NFL GM‘s draft them. He didn’t go to the fourth round.
StickierBuns wrote:
It doesn’t matter what analyst say, matters more where actual NFL GM‘s draft them. He didn’t go to the fourth round.
Because he had an ACL injury. To say he wasn't in the top Cs is crazy lol. Well, he is outperforming every rookie C this year.
Canthony wrote:
Because he had an ACL injury. To say he wasn't in the top Cs is crazy lol. Well, he is outperforming every rookie C this year.
How so? He's not starting, nor is he expected to start. Meanwhile, Jake Slaughter is starting in San Diego. Logan Jones is behind Bradbury in Chicago.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
—George Orwell
MaroonBells wrote:
How so? He's not starting, nor is he expected to start. Meanwhile, Jake Slaughter is starting in San Diego. Logan Jones is behind Bradbury in Chicago.
I like Slaughter. He changed my mind after following him a bit when he got drafted. He really has impressed. I just know that Lew is playing very well but is behind a proven veteran in Ted Karras and is coming off an ACL. Slaughter is only starting because Tyler Biadasz suffered a season ending injury. So, I am not sure your argument is valid.
MaroonBells wrote:
How so? He's not starting, nor is he expected to start. Meanwhile, Jake Slaughter is starting in San Diego. Logan Jones is behind Bradbury in Chicago.
Also, Logan Jones is your guy, I remember us having good conversations about the position. Logan Jones is small and got manhandled by our guy the Big Citrus in college. Connor Lew would have beaten out Bradbury. No t saying Jones won't make it but saying he should have no problem beating Bradbury.
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