Transaction

Assessing The Value: Day Three Trades

April 28, 2012, by 1 comment

The Vikings made two trades during the first round of the Draft on Day One.  Then, on Day Two, they didn’t budge.  Now that Day Three came and went, however, we have two more trades to analyze and break down.

Minnesota was rich with draft choices entering the third day of the Draft with nine total.  Fans thought this indicated the team would be willing to package picks together to move up and grab the appropriately coveted players.  This turned out not to be the case, but the team did show a willingness to make an investment in their future by snagging picks for next year’s Draft.

This could be a good approach, as the team is highly unlikely to receive any 2013 compensatory picks because of how free agency played out this year.  We’ll break down each trade from a “point value” standpoint, referencing each against the Jerry Johnson Trade Chart as well as the Harvard Trade Chart, both of which are posted and explained on this page.

Vikings Trade Fifth Rounder (#138) and Seventh Rounder (#223) To Lions for Seventh Rounder (#219) and a 2013 Fourth Rounder

Jimmy Johnson Trade Chart:  This pegs the Vikings fifth rounder as being worth 37 points and the seventh rounder as being worth 3.3 points, for a total worth of 40.3 points.  The future fourth rounder from the Lions can be given an estimated value of about 35 points.  Meanwhile, their seventh rounder carried a value of 4.8 points which puts the total value of their package at 39.8 points.  This means the Lions came out ahead by 0.5 points.  Pretty darn close.

The caveat here, however, is that the value of that fourth rounder received from the Lions will only grow as the 2013 Draft draws nearer.  According to the chart, fourth round selections can be worth anywhere from 112 to 44 points on Draft Day.

Harvard Trade Chart:  The post-CBA chart puts the Vikings fifth rounder at a value of 70.3 points and their seventh rounder at 40.2 points.  Meanwhile, the Lions seventh rounder would carry a point value of 41.8 points and the future fourth rounder would be worth approximately 43.35 points.  That means the Vikings gave up 110.5 points while receiving only 85.15.  That fourth rounder could end up being worth anywhere from 76 to 98 points next offseason, however, all on its own.

Vikings Trade Seventh Rounder (#211) To Titans for a 2013 Sixth Rounder

Jimmy Johnson Trade Chart:  The Vikings pick carried a point value of 8 points.  A sixth rounder would be estimated at a value of 11 points.  The Vikings come out ahead on that trade from a points standpoint.  The value of that sixth rounder would be anywhere from 28 to 15 points by this time next year.

Harvard Trade Chart:  According to this chart, the pick given up by the Vikings was worth about 36.3 points.  The sixth rounder they received was worth an estimated 25.45 points.  Once again, however, that investment is expected to grow and the sixth rounder should end up being worth between 44 and 58 points next year.

Undrafted Free Agent Tracker

April 28, 2012, by 9 comments

Here is what we are hearing so far in regards to undrafted guys signing with the Vikings.  Keep in mind, at this point, is all rumors.

Chase Baker, DT, Boise State

Derrick Coleman, RB, UCLA

Kevin Cyrille, DE, Florida Atlantic

Bobby Felder, DB, Nicholls State

Kamar, Jorden, WR, Bowling Green

Eric Latimore, DE, Penn State

Tyler Nielson, LB, Iowa

Ernest Owusu, DE, California

Corey Paredes, LB, Hawaii

Austin Paztor, G, Virginia

Tydreke Powell, DT, North Carolina

Terrell Resonno, DT, Missouri

Quentin Saulsberry, C, Mississippi State

Darrion Weems, OT, Oregon

C.C. Whitlock, CB, South Carolina

[UPDATE:  Apparently the above list is pretty set.  Been confirmed by the local media.  This will be pending physicals and whatnot.]

Friday Pick Lands Vikings Some Cornerback Help

April 27, 2012, by 4 comments

After a Thursday that was all about the trades, Rick Spielman and the Vikings stayed patient with their lone second day pick.

At 66th overall, the Vikings decided to select Central Florida cornerback Josh Robinson who weighs in at 5’ 10” and 199 pounds.

Robinson figures to fit in well as a zone coverage corner, with great speed and consistent tackling abilities.  He has matched up real good against solid receivers in college, most notably A.J. Green.

He was the fastest of all players at the Scouting Combine and looked quite fluid in the other drills, too.

We will have more coming soon on this pick.

Jerome Simpson’s Contract Details

April 27, 2012, by 1 comment

The Vikings didn’t acquire a new wide out in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, so former Bengal Jerome Simpson is still the latest wide receiver added to this roster.

Today, the details of his one year deal have been revealed.

According to Aaron Wilson, the deal is worth up to $2 million.  He carries an $800,000 base salary, $950,000 roster bonus, and a $250,000 workout bonus.  In other words, Simpson will have plenty of cash to spend on, umm, oregano should he choose to do so.

Simpson is scheduled to be suspended for the first three games of this season for last year’s drug trafficking charges.  I have not yet seen clarification as whether or not the Vikings will get a roster exemption during that three week period.

REACTION AND GRADES: Day One

April 27, 2012, by 14 comments

On Thursday, the Vikings weeks of posturing ended up right back where everyone assumed it began, with them selecting USC left tackle Matt Kalil with their first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.  The only caveat was, after picking up three extra picks, he was selected one spot later than we all expected.

While Rick Spielman had enough media types bamboozled into thinking they might take LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, but instead they took the player they likely targeted all along.  Then, they snuck into the end of the first round and selected Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith.

Following the Draft I will dust off my old “Welcome to the Big Show” features and we’ll look at every prospect selected very closely.  For now, however, I want to provide some instant reaction to the selections and give you an idea for how I feel on each guy.

MATT KALIL

The Vikings expect that they have found themselves a cornerstone for the organization that will be around for at least a decade, protecting quarterbacks and paving paths for runners.

Kalil’s real strength matches well with the weaknesses of the Vikings current tackles.  He is a superb pass protector who utilizes his athleticism and quick feet to ensure that if the quarterback gets hit, it won’t be from his side.  USC often left Kalil by himself and he held up great despite the lack of help.

His run blocking has been pointed out by many analysts as needing improvement, but somewhere along the line “needing improvement” turned into “a huge weakness” within media circles.  The truth is, Kalil’s smaller frame and upright style seldom affected his game negatively in college, and his ability to get to the second and third level in the run game to take on linebackers and safeties far outweighs any negatives.  Sure, he can add some bulk and a little strength (which he probably will) but there is no denying that this kid is an elite prospect as a left tackle.

Left tackle is where he will immediately be plugged in.  With Kalil manning that spot, the Vikings then plan to slide Charlie Johnson inside to left guard, thus upgrading two positions with one choice.

I couldn’t be happier about this pick and while he won’t single-handedly win Minnesota a Super Bowl, he should prove to be a huge step in the right direction for this offense that needs to be built around Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson.

Adam’s Grade:  A+

HARRISON SMITH

The Vikings desperately needed help at the safety position.  If they went into the season with Jamarca Sanford and Mistral Raymond as their starters, well, I just wouldn’t be expecting much… we’ll put it that way.

To me, the top two safety prospects in this Draft were clearly Mark Barron from Alabama and Harrison Smith from Notre Dame.  After that, I felt like there was a great disparity between them and the second tier of safeties.

Barron went to the Bucs very early on in the Draft and the Vikings gave up a fourth rounder to move to the 29th spot from their original second round position and grabbed Smith.  In doing so, they filled a huge need with a very solid prospect.

Smith has a nice, big frame and is known to be kind of a jack-of-all-trades type of player.  The Vikings liked the versatility from what they saw of him at the Senior Bowl.  His athleticism and range should be of benefit to a Vikings secondary that needs some positives added to it.  He truly is a sideline-to-sideline type of player.

Having even played some linebacker in the past, the Vikings surely like Smith’s tackling abilities and physical style of play.  He is at his best when playing downhill and is plenty capable of delivering a jarring hit.  Smith will event present the Vikings with a good ability to blitz on occasion.

Most attractive, however, were the leadership abilities he displayed within Notre Dame’s defense.  He is known as an ultra-competitive guy that is going to give you everything he’s got and then some.

There has been some knocks on his coverage ability, however, which would be why he never was considered a “blue chip” type of player.  His tape reveals some stiffness in his game and his interception totals went from seven as a junior to none as a senior.

Overall, Smith seems like a day one starter, especially for the Vikings.  He has room for improvement, but looks to be like an investment that could be well worth it.  I am looking forward to seeing him matchup against some of those big tight ends in our division.

The Vikings filled a need and got a very promising prospect.  Tough to find many complaints about this one, other than perhaps the fact that they had to trade up to get him.

Adam’s Grade:  A-

LIVE CHAT TRANSCRIPT: Day One

April 27, 2012, by No comments yet

Well, the first day of the 2012 NFL Draft turned out to be quite exciting for us Vikings fans.

Our live chat was a blast and a huge thanks to Brett, Malte, and Gil from thevikingden.com for all of the hard work keeping things running smoothly!

Here is the transcript from the live chat so that it can always be a part of our permanent record and also to let you review some reactions if that interests you:

Continue Reading →

Assessing The Value: Trading Up

April 27, 2012, by 6 comments

Rick Spielman and the Vikings enjoyed their success in the first round that they decided to jump back into for a little more.

After completing a no-brainer trade at the top of the first round (read my assessment here), the team engaged in something a little more risky towards the end of the evening.

The Vikings traded their second round pick (#35) and their original fourth round pick (#98) for the Ravens first rounder (#29) and grabbed Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith.  Targeting Smith wasn’t a huge surprise as he has been the apple of many Vikings fans’ eye for months now, the team has a thing for Notre Dame players, and safety was arguably the team’s biggest need.

We will get into a more in-depth analysis of what Smith brings to the team a little later on, but from a trade value standpoint what exactly did the Vikings do?

According to the old Jimmy Johnson trade chart, found on this page, the Vikings gained 90 value points by moving from 35 to 29.  However, the fourth rounder they gave up is valued at 108 points so the Vikings overpaid a tad, according to this chart.

The newer “Harvard Chart” that claims to account for factors more accurately, including the new CBA, values the 29th pick at 208.7 points.  The 35th and 98th picks combine, according to this chart, for a point value of 268.5.  This chart suggests that Vikings overpaid by more than the old trade chart suggests, but both indicate that they overpaid.

The overpayment is slight, however, and the Vikings obviously targeted Smith enough to move up at all.  If they weren’t quite as smitten with the kid, then they probably would have been content to just sit back and see if he was there as an option at 35.

They got their guy, and it is hard to fault them for that even if they overpaid.  Heck, a few years back, they gave up more than that to move up a short distance and grab Toby Gerhart.  So, at the very least, this trade up was an improvement.

“I guess it went well down there,” Smith said of his work with Vikings staff at the Senior Bowl. “I really like playing for those guys and took to their coaching and I think we kind of got a good feel for each other.”

The Vikings obviously got a good enough “feel” for Harrison to overpay a bit in trading up to get him.