We interrupt our regularly scheduled Jared Allen programming to talk about this weekend’s upcoming draft.
That’s right, despite what you may have heard, the Minnesota Vikings didn’t trade all nine of their picks in the 2008 draft to the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire Allen. It just seems that way.
The Vikings actually still have six picks left – one each in the second, fourth, fifth and seventh rounds, plus two in the sixth round. Allen is essentially like a first-round pick for the Vikes, so the team is already off to a rousing start to its ’08 draft. Now the Vikings scouting and personnel team must finish the job and draft some players with their remaining picks that can help the team next season and beyond. The Vikings did that last year by selecting receiver Sidney Rice (second round), DE Brian Robison (fourth round) and receiver Aundrae Allison (fifth round) in the draft.
Here are a few thoughts on what the Vikings might do with their picks this weekend.
Second round (47th overall)
This is still a high pick and the Vikings should be able to land a pretty good player. I think the same philosophy holds true here as it does in the first round – you take the best player available. In a perfect world the best player available would be a versatile O-lineman, someone who can play either left or right tackle and give the Vikings some insurance in case Bryant McKinnie (conduct issues) or Ryan Cook (performance issues) need to be replaced.
Of course, quarterback is still a wee bit of a concern for the Vikings. If someone like Brian Brohm (unlikely) or Chad Henne (possibly) slips this far, the Vikings will seriously consider taking either one.
Fourth round (117 overall)
Signing Allen leaves the Vikings less needy at DE than they were two days ago. Still.... you can never have enough pass rushers. Kenechi Udeze’s likely done for ’08. Erasmus James is a walking MRI. Ray Edwards and Robison are young and promising but also have yet to register more than five sacks in a season. If there’s a DE the Vikings like at this point, I have no problem with them taking one here. And don’t forget defensive tackle. The Vikings have Kevin and Pat Williams manning the middle but behind them are Fred Evans and Ellis Wyms. Upgrading the talent level here wouldn’t hurt.
The Vikings also need to find a replacement for safety Darren Sharper – and soon. This would be a good round to do so.
Fifth round (150 overall)
This could be the time to nab the pass-catching tight end the Vikings currently don’t have on their roster. I know they signed Visanthe Shiancoe to fill that role last year but, sorry, the guy just doesn’t have it. And I don’t know if Garrett Mills or Braden Jones does either. Safety or DE would also be a possibility at this point if the Vikings haven’t already addressed those positions.
Sixth round (187 and 193 overall)
Extra picks in any round other than the first or second usually means a trade will be made to move up in the draft by the team with said picks. The Vikings are in that position here. I expect they might try to deal their sixth round picks to get another pick in the fifth round - if there’s a player they like who they don’t think will be around by the sixth round. As for what position that player might play, wide receiver is a possibility. Despite resigning with the club, Robert Ferguson’s hold on a roster spot can’t be all that secure. The Vikings might also take a quarterback here for Chilly to “develop” if they haven’t done so already.
Seventh round (207 overall)
At this point in the draft you’re taking a flier on any player you choose. The Vikings are probably looking for someone to bolster the special teams unit this late in the draft. That player could play any number of positions.
So there you are, a brief rundown by an interested (but not necessarily well-informed) observer on what the Vikings might do during this weekend’s draft. Without a first round pick, the draft drama might be gone for most Vikings fans. But that doesn’t mean making good use of the picks they do have isn’t important. It is. If the team can land players with the skill level of Rice, Robison and Edwards, they will have done well.
On Deck: Helpful advice
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3 comments:
All right, now I will be completely nuts, and propose that the Vikings use their 2nd round pick this year, along with maybe a 2nd day pick next year, to try to trade for Jason Taylor, assuming their cap can handle Taylor’s salary for the next couple of years. Yes, this is a go for broke strategy, and Parcells may demand more, but the prospect of fielding perhaps the best front four since the ’70s Steelers should not be dismissed lightly.
The DE rotation in particular would just be crushing on opposing offensive lines, because Edwards, and quite possibly Robison, are going to be better than average pass rushers, assuming Edwards’ performance to date has not been too steroids related. Allen and Taylor would not get worn down, and enter the 4th quarter fresh, especially given the Williams tackles crushing opponents’ running games. Vikings fans could be looking at a team like the ‘00 Ravens, where qb play is not significant to winning a championship. Go for broke!
Anon:
I don't think you're completely nuts. But this kind of move would generate a lot of criticism the Vikes way from fans and media alike. The Vikes would be accused of copying the Detroit Lions strategy - only in this case it's DE's instead of WR's we're hoarding.
On the other hand, the Super Bowl showed us what a fierce pass rush can do to even the highest-scoring team of all time. My problem in giving up, perhaps, multiple first-day picks for Taylor is, unlike Allen, we're getting him for one, maybe, two years tops. That's a bit rich. However, it's an interesting possibility you bring up.
I think it would give them their best opportunity to win a championship in the near future, and this team is not so young that they should be thinking four years down the road. Look, the odds of them getting really good qb play in the next couple of years are not good, and if you aren't going to get really good qb play, what is the next best way to get a decent shot at the trophy? Dominating play from the defensive front. It sure as heck would sell some season tickets.
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