High Praise For A Forgotten Prospect

Still my favorite...

Rashaad Penny - RB - AztecsPro Football Focus's Sam Monson believes that San Diego State RB Rashaad Penny is a "first-round talent."
Penny (5'11/220) remains a divisive prospect in this class even after his massive numbers at San Diego State, but you can count Monson as a fan. He cites his yards per carry after contact (3.32), which ranked at the top of any runner in this class. "The interesting thing about Penny, is that he is a player who looks better the more tape of him you watch," Monson writes. "While some players can dazzle with highlights only to disappear a bit the deeper into their tape you get, or simply present their flaws the longer you watch, Penny seems to impress even more the more tape you get through." Right now it's more likely that Penny goes on Day 2, if someone falls in love with his tape and the analytics, he could surprise and go in the first 32 selections.Source: Pro Football Focus Mar 19 - 1:43 PM

Kalen Ballage - RB - Sun DevilsDraft Analyst's Tony Pauline passes along that the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons met with Arizona State RB Kalen Ballage during Wednesday's pro day.
Ballage (6'1/228) was touted as a potential workout warrior prior to the NFL Scouting Combine, but posted only a solid -- but not spectacular -- set of tests in Indy. Pro day, apparently a completely different story. Pauline relays that Ballage beasted the 40-yard dash in the vicinity of 4.35 seconds and notched a much improved vertical jump of 37 inches. He hit only 32.5 in Indianapolis. The analyst additionally notes that Ballage looked "sensational during position drills and really stood out catching the ball" and that he was "explosive in and out of breaks and showed natural hands." We have serious questions about his patience and vision -- he struggled to capitalize on that elite athleticism at ASU -- but there are going to be NFL teams who inflate his stock based solely on his athletic traits. Whether this is enough to boost him to a Day 2 selection remains to be seen. Both Draft Analyst and NFL Media's Lance Zierlein view him as a Day 3 talent.Source: Draft Analyst Mar 15 - 12:56 PM
There are going to be tons of RBs Day 2...I've got to think we go RB Day 2, no later than early Day 3 after Rick completes 17 trades to get us a 4th... 

Just was reading about Penny last night, and he is very intriguing in terms of production and body type. The numbers don't lie.

These fake scout writers are so bad at their job. Look at the first one.... 6.9 seconds. 6.9 seconds for what??

Nyheim Hines - RB - WolfpackNC State RB Nyheim Hines posted pro day marks including a 122-inch broad jump, 4.21-second 20-yard shuttle and 6.85-second three-cone drill.
All three of these results were sharper than what he posted at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month. No need to rerun the 40-yard dash, though, as his 4.38-second mark in Indianapolis led all running backs. Beyond the pro day athletic testing -- which rarely sheds any new light on prospects beyond slight degrees of such -- the 5-foot-8, 198-pounder "looked explosive" in his drill work, according to Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline. Those drills were run (for the most part) by Titans OC Matt LaFleur, with Eagles RB coach Duce Staley finishing them out with Hines. The Vikings and Cowboys will both be hosting the NC State standout for visits upcoming, while the Chargers, Jets, Panthers and Bengals all met with the back around his pro day. Speedster Hines is angling for a Day 2 selection.Source: Draft Analyst Mar 20 - 3:26 PM

@"Max" said:
These fake scout writers are so bad at their job. Look at the first one.... 6.9 seconds. 6.9 seconds for what??

Penny and Hines are the ones I keep coming back to as good fits to replace Jet. Middle round guys, good speed, both can catch the ball and return kicks. Pass blocking will be the key for both.

Unfortunately, I have a feeling Penny's gonna go a lot higher than most rankings have him now. The question about him was his speed, but after running a 4.46 that question is gone. 

If we want Penny, I think it's going to cost us a 2nd...Year one he's the KR/PR and 3rd string back...year two, he replaces Murray...Not sure that's enough of a role for a 2nd rounder...but he's got a lot to like... 

I don't see using a 1 or a 2, maybe even a 3 on a RB since we have our 1 in house for 2 more years at least.  

RBs get up to speed so fast and their career are typically so short it seems to be a waste of a high pick for a guy that will likely be  buried on the depth chart for at least half his rookie contract.  We can use our early picks for guys more likely to contribute more early on.

I think the Vikings are satisfied with RB Mack Brown being the last guy of the group. 26 years old, been around the NFL for a couple years, not bad size (5'11", 217 lbs.) and some wiggle. Came from a talented program at Florida. Cheap. I remember Zimmer actually commenting on the guy last year.

At least for 2018. 

@"RushmoreVike" said: I don't see using a 1 or a 2, maybe even a 3 on a RB since we have our 1 in house for 2 more years at least.  

RBs get up to speed so fast and their career are typically so short it seems to be a waste of a high pick for a guy that will likely be  buried on the depth chart for at least half his rookie contract.  We can use our early picks for guys more likely to contribute more early on.

Murray is a good pass catcher but he has zero wiggle to him.  Not exactly the guy you see making a catch then juking a defender and ripping off YAC.

Kamara, Hunt, Clement, etc. These guys aren't just catching swing passes in the flats or leaking out for screens. They're lining up as WRs and running routes against mismatches.

This is a legit part of the game now. Sort of like how you need a bona fide Slot WR to go with your other two starters. Without Jet the Vikings don't currently have that threat. Must get one in the Draft.

@"FSUVike" said:

@"RushmoreVike" said: I don't see using a 1 or a 2, maybe even a 3 on a RB since we have our 1 in house for 2 more years at least.  

RBs get up to speed so fast and their career are typically so short it seems to be a waste of a high pick for a guy that will likely be  buried on the depth chart for at least half his rookie contract.  We can use our early picks for guys more likely to contribute more early on.

Need a Jet replacement. Everyone knows how I feel about Cook but I'll b the first to admit that catching the ball isn't his forte.

Murray is a good pass catcher but he has zero wiggle to him.  Not exactly the guy you see making a catch then juking a defender and ripping off YAC.

Kamara, Hunt, Clement, etc. These guys aren't just catching swing passes in the flats or leaking out for screens. They're lining up as WRs and running routes against mismatches.

This is a legit part of the game now. Sort of like how you need a bona fide Slot WR to go with your other two starters. Without Jet the Vikings don't currently have that threat. Must get one in the Draft.

I like Penny and Freeman. We have Cook and Murray though. I don't see us using a pick before round 4 on a RB. Maybe round 3 if the value is there.

@"Canthony" said: I like Penny and Freeman. We have Cook and Murray though. I don't see us using a pick before round 4 on a RB. Maybe round 3 if the value is there.

It looks like this draft is deep in RBs. We could wait until 15 or more RBs get taken and still find a good player. Look at a guy like Nall to replace Murray next year.  No need to rush the RB pick. Take care of other needs first.

@"dadevike" said:

@"Canthony" said: I like Penny and Freeman. We have Cook and Murray though. I don't see us using a pick before round 4 on a RB. Maybe round 3 if the value is there.

Agreed - but this assumes Cook will be on pace by draft day to return at full strength or close to it next season.

It looks like this draft is deep in RBs. We could wait until 15 or more RBs get taken and still find a good player. Look at a guy like Nall to replace Murray next year.  No need to rush the RB pick. Take care of other needs first.

We need a backup to Dalvin and a 3rd down back. If Dalvin goes down (God forbid), we need a back who can share carries with Murray. He should be an effective runner, receiver and blocker. Be ideal if he could also return. There are backs like that in the 4th round this year. 

@"MaroonBells" said: We need a backup to Dalvin and a 3rd down back. If Dalvin goes down (God forbid), we need a back who can share carries with Murray. He should be an effective runner, receiver and blocker. Be ideal if he could also return. There are backs like that in the 4th round this year. 

The RB's are deep this year.

@"MaroonBells" said: We need a backup to Dalvin and a 3rd down back. If Dalvin goes down (God forbid), we need a back who can share carries with Murray. He should be an effective runner, receiver and blocker. Be ideal if he could also return. There are backs like that in the 4th round this year. 

My greedy side says putting a talent like Kareem Hunt or Alvin Kamara (both 3rd round backs in a similarly stacked RB draft) in a rotation with Cook would be hard to defend. Thinking Penny could be this year's Hunt. Hines and Wadley could be this year's Kamara or Cohen. 

Oh, it's definitely being greedy to eschew a Day 2 pick on a position that isn't a current need...but the heart wants what the heart wants...

Exciting thinking of the possibilities.