Tight end is position to watch for Vikings at No. 30, former GM says

Hmmm.

The argument is basically valid, but I'm hoping for more trench help.

@"Zanary" said: Hmmm.

The argument is basically valid, but I'm hoping for more trench help.

I wouldn't mind a TE in rounds 3 - 5, but we need to invest our top picks in line help (CB or WR might be okay if the right guy is there).  I was actually impressed by Morgan's play late in the year and I think he can contribute.

Savage isn't just a former personnel evaluator, he's also the head of the Senior Bowl, so he might know something about who piqued the Vikings' interest in Mobile. Both Goedert and Gesecki were there. 

Hope not though. Hope it's not a TE and I hope it's not a CB. Neither pick is going to help us much in 2018. 

Goedert will be a great TE, he has incredible hands and has he size, speed and frame to be very successful. As a SDSU alum, it would be great to add him to the vikings, IMHO...however, what we really need is a solid Olineman in first round. As much as I'd like to see Goedert a Viking, we have more pressing needs

I think another CB could help in 2018. If Sherels has to play CB, the Vikings’ defense will suffer. 

@"dadevike" said: I think another CB could help in 2018. If Sherels has to play CB, the Vikings’ defense will suffer. 

Franchise has historically not used the draft for that position and not a high pick even when they did
But...when they did, they hit it with
KR & JK using the #2 pick
Other than that, one has to go back to the 80’s with SJ as a “great” mid round pick 
JS in the late 70’s & SV ( 10th Rd ) in the early 70’s 

@"Maple Surple" said: Franchise has historically not used the draft for that position and not a high pick even when they did But...when they did, they hit it with KR & JK using the #2 pick Other than that, one has to go back to the 80’s with SJ as a “great” mid round pick  JS in the late 70’s & SV ( 10th Rd ) in the early 70’s 

Kyle Rudolph
Jimmy Kliensasser
Joe Sensor
Steve Jordan
Stu Voight

How about that?  Just don't ask me what I ate for dinner last night.  B)

@"Norseman" said:

@"Maple Surple" said: Franchise has historically not used the draft for that position and not a high pick even when they did But...when they did, they hit it with KR & JK using the #2 pick Other than that, one has to go back to the 80’s with SJ as a “great” mid round pick  JS in the late 70’s & SV ( 10th Rd ) in the early 70’s 

Holy memory test Batman!!  Took me a few moments, but:

Kyle Rudolph
Jimmy Kliensasser
Joe Sensor
Steve Jordan
Stu Voight

How about that?  Just don't ask me what I ate for dinner last night.  B)

@"Poiple" said:

@"Norseman" said:

@"Maple Surple" said: Franchise has historically not used the draft for that position and not a high pick even when they did But...when they did, they hit it with KR & JK using the #2 pick Other than that, one has to go back to the 80’s with SJ as a “great” mid round pick  JS in the late 70’s & SV ( 10th Rd ) in the early 70’s 

Holy memory test Batman!!  Took me a few moments, but:

Kyle Rudolph
Jimmy Kliensasser
Joe Sensor
Steve Jordan
Stu Voight

How about that?  Just don't ask me what I ate for dinner last night.  B)

Thanks for the work.  I was steuggling with that! lol

I will add that, although Jordan is clearly the best of the bunch, my favorite was Joe Sensor.  Tight ends just aren't supposed to make acrobatic catches like he did.

@"Norseman" said:

@"Poiple" said:

@"Norseman" said:

@"Maple Surple" said: Franchise has historically not used the draft for that position and not a high pick even when they did But...when they did, they hit it with KR & JK using the #2 pick Other than that, one has to go back to the 80’s with SJ as a “great” mid round pick  JS in the late 70’s & SV ( 10th Rd ) in the early 70’s 

Holy memory test Batman!!  Took me a few moments, but:

Kyle Rudolph
Jimmy Kliensasser
Joe Sensor
Steve Jordan
Stu Voight

How about that?  Just don't ask me what I ate for dinner last night.  B)

Thanks for the work.  I was steuggling with that! lol

NP.  Oddly enough, Kleinsauser was the only one I really had to stop and think about.  (maybe not so odd, as old brains seem to remember ancient history with crystal clarity but struggle with more recent memories).

Apologies...
It was a combo of being lazy and not remembering how to spell Kliensaucer 
and then I realized it might be a fun initial/name that TE game

@"purpleloki" said:

@"Zanary" said: Hmmm.

The argument is basically valid, but I'm hoping for more trench help.

Me too. There is so much O-Line talent in this draft that I would target two picks to bolster starters and create depth. We tend to have multiple injuries every year.

@"Maple Surple" said: Apologies... It was a combo of being lazy and not remembering how to spell Kliensaucer  and then I realized it might be a fun initial/name that TE game

Jim K-L-E-I-N-S-A-S-S-E-R... :D

I think one could make an argument that just about every position is in play at 30.  Outside of OG/OT which we could pick up in the second, no one we pick at 30 is going to be a day 1 starter, but we could pick up a valuable contributer at many spots, and we still have starters with expiring contracts at every position on defense after this year (including Sendejo, who I think will be a cap casualty next year).

@"medaille" said: I think one could make an argument that just about every position is in play at 30.  Outside of OG/OT which we could pick up in the second, no one we pick at 30 is going to be a day 1 starter, but we could pick up a valuable contributer at many spots, and we still have starters with expiring contracts at every position on defense after this year (including Sendejo, who I think will be a cap casualty next year).

I would cross off RB and QB, but you're probably right that any other is possible.
Spielman has drafted a TE in most of his drafts, but all but 2nd-rounder Rudolph have been duds (Mickey Shuler, Mycole Pruitt, Bucky Hodges) or slow blocking TEs like Ellison and Morgan. I know Morgan had a couple of unexpected catches last year, but if the Vikings try to use him as a receiver with any regularity, opposing teams will just assign someone with appropriate speed, like a NT, to shadow him..
So I think the TE speculation is that the Vikings can't legitimately expect to enhance the position unless they draft in the first three rounds (probably the case for any position they need to improve).