Sunday, April 19, 2009

What the Vikes WON'T do in round one

Let's eliminate options: here are some positions the Vikings will not fill in round one of the draft this weekend.  Though I probably shouldn't say that; I should say if the Vikings do draft a player at these positions in round one, I'll pour two beverages over my head.  I'm of course ignoring kicker, punter, returner, long-snapper, etc.--business like that.

Running Back
The Vikings have Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor: there's no chance they use a first round pick on one of their biggest strength, especially when their superstar running back is entering his third season.  Fullback is a major weakness, though I don't know if there's a fullback they'd draft in round one.

Linebacker
The Vikings aren't going to draft a replacement for either E.J. Henderson or Chad Greenway.  I doubt very much the Vikings are trying to replace Ben Leber (he's a quality starter), they're extremely unlikely to try replace him this season with a first-round pick, and it's virtually impossible that they'd draft a linebacker in the first round to improve depth or gain a starter later than 2009.  The Vikes lack depth at linebacker, but starting linebacker is another team strength.

And that's all I've got.  They have serious needs at offensive line.  I think they could use improvement in the secondary (I'd like to see them draft a cornerback).  They could always use another wide receiver.  They might try to get a young defensive lineman (to eventually replace Pat Williams, or to immediately replace Ray Edwards).  Things could get freaky and they could find themselves with a quarterback.

8 comments:

  1. The Vikings may have no need for a linebacker, but Mike Lombardi, who actually has contacts inside NFL organizations – unlike other mock drafters like Don Banks and Mel Kiper – has the Vikings picking a linebacker in the first round.

    http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/04/notes-from-lombardi-mock-draft/

    So maybe wear a wetsuit on Saturday – just in case.

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  2. gosh, I hope it's a nice day so I can at least go soak myself outside.

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  3. Anonymous4:51 PM

    Please pour the beverages on yourself in your house this time!

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  4. Anonymous7:36 PM

    They should draft DB's and more DB's as that is their weakest area. Perhaps some of those newly drafted DB's could make a tackle on special teams.

    Right Tackle is another option,as is receiver. Sign Mike Karney formerly of the Saints at Fullback, he is a battering ram blocker that truly helped the Saints rushing attack for 5 years, he simply did not fit into the new pass happy Saints profile.

    Save the LB's till the later rounds unless a real stud falls to them. I doubt that Spikes or Curry or any of the USC three (Maualuga,Cushing or Matthews) are going to be around or Laurinaitis, Herzlich or Sintim. There are a lot of good LB prospects and I think they will be the hot ticket this year.

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  5. I do see one of the USC 3 falling to the #22 over all. Linebacker is one of those positions that always produces good athletes. Remember Chris Dolman one of the NFL's greatest D-ends was recruited as a linebacker.

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  6. Just so we're clear, I'm on record promising to dump a beverage on my head if the Vikes draft a center, running back, or linebacker. Now I'm nervous; when the pick comes up, I'll be drinking a very small glass of water.

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  7. Joe Fischer wrote above:
    "I should say if the Vikings do draft a player at these positions in round one, I'll pour two beverages over my head."

    Make that two small glasses of water, sucka......

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  8. I'm glad you didn't list quarterback cause they could scoop up the KSU qb later in the round and have a good one.

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