Prediction Thread for Vikings Pick at #18

I'm feeling like there will be a huge run on offensive lineman early - there are too many skill position players that have some type of "elite" ability to be had on the turn. There are like 6 or 7 WRs with some crazy ability - like 5 or 6 RBs with talent that would be awed over in any other draft. There are a lot of Dalvin Cook, "why is he still here" types at other positions that will sitting there at the start of round 2. 

I'm thinking one of the top non-lineman falls to us and we just pull the trigger. I'll say D.K. Metcalf @18. Gives us years of 3 deep with Cousins throwing the ball and perhaps expands the offense beyond what another TE could do. He shouldn't be there at 18 but totally will be - we'll take him and it'll be shades of Moss until camp...

(honestly, he's not even my favorite WR. I think Marquise Brown in the slot here would be stupid silly... trading back 4-5 spots and "settling" for Brown if Bradbury/Lindstrom is off the board wouldn't make me upset at all... I like the Butler kid from Iowa St. too... i know, i know... it's not even close to a need. i'll shut up now... shouldn't have watched skill position players on YouTube last night...)

edit: LOL! woooooof!

Tough Year to call.  My pick is that we don't pick at #18.  I think we will trade out.  Could be up or down.

I wonder if Minnesota would be at all interested in trading up to like #13 (Dolphins rumored to want to go back) if a guy like OT Jawaan Taylor or OT Andre Dillard were still there? Maybe involve Trae Waynes in the trade up and get a 2nd or 3rd round additional pick?

From Twitter: 'Great point from @jzulgad. When Gary Kubiak was hired, he talked about how he was 'way ahead' w/ evaluating this year's draft class because he spent a year doing so in Denver. His finger prints could be all over this draft.'

I'm thinking Sticky is correct. Probably trade down if there is a run on O line.  

@"StickyBun" said:

From Twitter: 'Great point from @jzulgad. When Gary Kubiak was hired, he talked about how he was 'way ahead' w/ evaluating this year's draft class because he spent a year doing so in Denver. His finger prints could be all over this draft.'

This is a good note. Kubiak and Dennison have done a really good job identifying O-line and WR talent over the years. They'll have a say but I do think Stefanski will have the larger voice in the room. 

I'm fully expecting a big run on OL and I think Rick will grab Lindstrom at the tail end of it.
That's my prediction. But I hope we can get Bradbury.

Who I want us to pick: Bradbury or Lindstrom

Who I fear we’ll pick: Fant

Our first pick...whether at #18 or a few spots later...will be OL.  Either Bradbury/Dillard.

My guy is Bradbury. Always has been. That said, Rick hates me and never picks my guy. I also know that the Vikings value position flexibility and Bradbury is a scheme-dependent center-only. Bradbury's the best lineman in the draft IMO, but they will at least consider those limitations. 

I think Williams and Dillard will be gone. That leaves Jawaan Taylor whom the Vikings would sprint to the podium to select, but the only reason he might be there is because some teams now have medical red flags on him.  And we have no way of knowing if the Vikings are one of those teams.

So that leaves Ford, Lindstrom and Risner with first round(ish) grades--all three can play multiple positions. Ford can play right tackle or guard. But is he a zone fit? That's a close call. Lindstrom can play guard or center and is a great zone fit. Risner can play all three positions but doesn't have ideal lateral quickness you want in a zone lineman. 

Vikings can stay where they are and IF they like the fit, they'll take Ford. They can trade down big and take someone like McCoy, Howard or McGary, in which case we're off the hook because we'll be asking the same question tomorrow. Or trade down small (or not at all) and take Lindstrom or Risner. 

Looked up about a dozen final mock drafts this morning. In fact, I looked up the 10 most accurate mock drafters from last year to see who they had us taking. 3 didn't have a mock up. 1 had us taking Jeffery Simmons and 6 had us taking Bradbury. 

Bradbury is the clear favorite. So the answer is simple: Chris Lindstrom. :-)

Not a draftnik, but I dont see the top 3 OT's lasting till 18 and I'm not convinced they'll go IOL with 18 if there is a premium DL or TE there. 

No name or position prediction from me, but I think there is a 50/50 chance they won't go OL with the #1. 

Lindstrom.

He'll be there, play it safe, get a Day 1 starter and  don't overthink it. 

@"purplefaithful" said: Not a draftnik, but I dont see the top 3 OT's lasting till 18 and I'm not convinced they'll go IOL with 18 if there is a premium DL or TE there. 

No name or position prediction from me, but I think there is a 50/50 chance they won't go OL with the #1. 

There's a chance, but I don't think it's that high. The biggest reason for that is that OL this year has solid value at 18. I think people still feel stung from last year's draft where 2 or 3 offensive linemen went well before they were supposed to and we were left in a sort of "dead zone" in terms of OL value at 30.

Last year there were 6 OLs that went in the 1st round. This year, there looks to be about 7, maybe even 8 or 9. And we're picking 12 spots higher. So I'd say it's not only possible, but fairly likely that there will be a handful of OLs among the best players available when we pick. 

I predict for the 1st round:
1) RS won't pick a QB, RB, WR or CB.
2) RS goes OL or DL and fully expects to get a Blue Chipper day one starter.
3) Very good chance of a trade down from #18

How's that for going out on a limb?  B)

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"purplefaithful" said: Not a draftnik, but I dont see the top 3 OT's lasting till 18 and I'm not convinced they'll go IOL with 18 if there is a premium DL or TE there. 

No name or position prediction from me, but I think there is a 50/50 chance they won't go OL with the #1. 

There's a chance, but I don't think it's that high. The biggest reason for that is that OL this year has solid value at 18. I think people still feel stung from last year's draft where 2 or 3 offensive linemen went well before they were supposed to and we were left in a sort of "dead zone" in terms of OL value at 30.

Last year there were 6 OLs that went in the 1st round. This year, there looks to be about 7, maybe even 8 or 9. And we're picking 12 spots higher. So I'd say it's not only possible, but fairly likely that there will be a handful of OLs among the best players available when we pick. 

No prediction from me. With only 12-14 guys with true 1st Round grades according to pretty much everyone there's just too much volatility.

Will contenders at the back end want to move up to make sure they get a Blue Chip guy? Will teams start binging on O-Line guys because the 2020 Class allegedly looks weak? Will more players be traded for picks instead of just picks for picks? Is there a team or 2 that thinks a guy universally considered a 2nd talent believe otherwise and take that player shockingly high?

I actually think all of the above will happen. My prediction is tonight and tomorrow look more like an NBA Draft than a typical NFL Draft. 

What will actually happen will be the opposite since I'm rarely right. Maybe Kiper gets the first 10 picks right or something else really weird. Maybe Gruden trades his whole draft for Murray and shows up wearing a baseball uniform. Who knows. The sheer unpredictability is what makes it so fun.

What if we follow Tommy Kramer's advice and use our 1st three picks on offensive linemen?

Not very likely, but is it really that far fetched? Sure would FEEL good. Kubiak and Dennison are new coaches who may want to build their line from the ground up. Maybe we should just let them. Team doesn't have a lot of holes. DT is the only other position where there is a pressing need, but we have players there. Also, there might be other options. Maybe if we trade a Waynes or a Reiff we'll have the cap space to bring in a Gerald McCoy after the draft. 

Keep thinking of that song: One scotch, one bourbon and one beer. One center, one tackle and one guard. Say Dillard, McCoy and Samia. Oh my, I may have to sit down. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

Keep thinking of that song: One scotch, one bourbon and one beer. One center, one tackle and one guard. Say Dillard, McCoy and Samia. Oh my, I may have to sit down. 

That would be amazing.

lindstrom.