And with the 3rd pick...

[LeCount]

Thanks Brett, safety is such a need on this squad. Corner is pretty weak too, but safety is non-existent.

[B. Grant]

Our first pick has two very simple requirements...
1. It must be a DB or an OL.
2. Which of those two depends on the depth of the rest of the draft - what's likely to be there for us later in the first day?
We must be sure not to get cute here, there are basic goals to accomplish. Blackmon cannot necessarily be considered the BPA, and that position can be better addressed in FA.

[Fran the Man]

First, let me warn ALL you guys that no matter what JDBrocks tries to tell you, he IS VERY arguementive and also EXTREMELY opinionated.
Trouble is, he's usually right. . .

By the way, good to see you here JD!

I actually pressed "WR" before reading all the posts here. (I just now saw this thread)
Think I've changed my mind.
I really like Blackmon a lot but our needs in the Secondary and our O-line far outweigh our needs at WR and unfortunately, that points out just how bad we are in our secondary and O-line because we BADLY need a #1 WR.
At this point, with so many needs, I'm thinking moving down and picking up another first or second round pick makes more sense than anything else.
Sure sucks losing so many games this year but it may turn out to be what ramps up our rebuilding if we can get a good draft out of the nightmare season we're having.

[adammwarwas]

I would certainly agree that, in the Draft anyways, WR comes in at a lower priority level than O-Line and defensive backs. In fact, I would actually put middle linebacker and defensive tackle at a higher priority than WR... in the draft.

In free agency, however, we need to go get that #1 WR if one is available. There is very little money currently invested in this group of pass catchers, especially if Shank and Kleinsasser leave, so it shouldn't be hard to convince the front office that they need to spread some wealth during free agency and get a new top target for young Ponder.

In the draft, however, wide reciever should get looks in later rounds.

[JDBrocks]

Brocks, thanks for sticking around and debating this. Doesn't seem argumentative at all... just a good debate.

I would agree with Adam. You can't really use those four winning teams and attribute their success to good guard play and then say the other four are losing because they aren't strong at guard. There are many other factors - the main one being QB (which Adam pointed out).

A trade would be nice if we can somehow manage to still acquire everyone we want... I doubt it, though. Don't really trust Speilman... You're right - they have been successful early in the draft. After that though, they seem to screw up pretty badly.

It would be amazing if somehow, someway, the Colts could manage to win 3 games and we could move up to the #1 spot. A trade would be very likely at that point and would put us in an incredible position. (A guy can dream, right?)

I think I said it earlier (or maybe I said it elsewhere) that the teams that are winning are set at QB, but haven't and probably won't be spending high draft picks on LTs. These offenses are good because they have great QBs that can exist and move within the pocket, and the pocket starts with the center and guards winning at the point of attack. Hutch and Herrera aren't doing that anymore. Neither is Joe Berger. Sullivan hasn't been great either, but he's been better than the others. I'd like to see Fusco, Love, and DeGeare get looks the rest of the way to see what they have. I think that fans have been overvaluing LTs over the last few years. The NFL changes, and we are witnessing one of those changes now. Passing attacks have gone from using the run to set up play action to using a quick shotgun passing attack to set up draws and misdirection plays in the running game. Tackles only need to protect for three step drops most of the time instead of 5 and 7 step drops. If a guard gets blown up in either scenario the QB is in trouble. I would also suggest that great guard play will improve tackle play as well. Think about how McKinnie started to look worse as Hutch declined. When Herrera was playing well consistently Loadholt showed a lot of promise, now he gets beat by nearly every speed rusher. Matt Birk looks like a new player in Baltimore as does McKinnie. They are playing next to Grubs and Yanda, two probowl guards.

I can't think of a team that has participated in a superbowl in the past decade with a franchise LT drafted in the first round, much less the top 10 or 5. Tarik Glenn is the closest I can think of, although Peyton Manning made Charlie Johnson look serviceable.

An offseason that included the addition of Grubs or Nicks, Michael Griffin, Morris Claiborne, and a guy like Zeitler or Osemele would go a long way into making the Vikings a better team right away next year. It's really difficult to expect anything different when the same people that have been in charge and created this mess are likely to be in charge next season. If Speilman/Studwell/Frazier are running the draft I would expect more of the same...

[JDBrocks]

First, let me warn ALL you guys that no matter what JDBrocks tries to tell you, he IS VERY arguementive and also EXTREMELY opinionated.
Trouble is, he's usually right. . .

By the way, good to see you here JD!

I actually pressed "WR" before reading all the posts here. (I just now saw this thread)
Think I've changed my mind.
I really like Blackmon a lot but our needs in the Secondary and our O-line far outweigh our needs at WR and unfortunately, that points out just how bad we are in our secondary and O-line because we BADLY need a #1 WR.
At this point, with so many needs, I'm thinking moving down and picking up another first or second round pick makes more sense than anything else.
Sure sucks losing so many games this year but it may turn out to be what ramps up our rebuilding if we can get a good draft out of the nightmare season we're having.

Hahaha! Fran, you know I like a good debate, not an argument! Thanks for giving me the site info, it's a really nice spot.

I'm really glad that people are off of the WR bandwagon.

I also agree with Adam that the MLB position is crucial. Actually all of the Vikings linebackers are just miserable in coverage. Greenway has been one of the most disappointing players in the NFL this year, new contract or not. EJ is done. Erin is a good back up and a solid special teamer, but if he is going to be starting they need to protect him with better players. The linebacker play this year is really showing just how important Pat and Kevin Williams were to the team when they were in their prime. They can't shed blocks, and they can't drop in coverage. If they plan on sticking with the current guys then another impact DT is needed.

Morris Claiborne/Jerrell Worthy/ Lavonte David would be a really nice haul with the first three picks this year.

[Brett A.]

Thanks for giving me the site info, it's a really nice spot.

Thanks JD. Hey, if you know any other Vikings fans, make sure to spread the word. It would be much appreciated. Trying to get more Vikings fans over here to the forums and the site.

[Brett A.]

Sooo... now that Kalil is probably 'out the window.'

Nevermind. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_ ... draft.html

[Malte]

I know there has been said a lot about that we either have to take a DB or an OL.. I understand the arguments clearly, cause honestly we simple sucks in those 2 areas.. But if a great player (not TE / RB) is there you take him IMO.
Lets say we win a couple of games (I know unlike, but lets say we do) - then we might end up with the 4 / 5 overall pick. IF both Kalil and morris claiborne is gone as well.. Then what do we do? - take the 2nd best OL / CB?

[adammwarwas]

Malte, I'll probably be in the minority here... but that has never stopped me before.

If we pick at, say, #5... and both Claiborne and Kalil are gone... then it is likely that a mighty talented QB has fallen to us like RG3 or Barkley. In this case, the Vikings should try like the dickens to trade down, but if that fails have to seriously consider taking a quarterback at that spot.

It might hurt Ponder's feelings, but after years of not having sufficient QB talent on this roster, my feelings would not be hurt at all if the team decided to make two first round pick + Webb compete for the next four years or so.

[Malte]

I can understand your point of view, but I think we will have no chance at competing in our division the next couple of years if we take another QB. - We need help on so many levels. OL, Secondary, WR, DT a little help at LB as well. I just see us ketting in big trouble if we don't go for one of these positions early in the draft. I think the only positions we are safe are on RB, DE and TE.
As you said QB is a little iffy..
The best case sceanrio in my opinion is to trade down, acquire another 2nd and 3rd, or next year 1st + some .. Honestly I won't try to figure out how those trades works, but just get us more picks, so we can adress DT + Secondary. A good DT besides williams will upgrade our entire defense. We will for once get pressure up the middle again, Our linebacker will be free and then they can make plays as they did before with the williams wall. - then if we get help in the secondary and cook comes back it is still perhaps below average, but it would be the worst as it nearly is right now.
- That would be huge for our offense as well.
We wouldn't be forced to go on 4th down in the second half all the time, and a punt wouldn't get us behind with 2 TD's..

[Brett A.]

Phew...

http://www.vikingsterritory.com/adams-b ... elief.html

[Purple Faithful]

With the second pick in the draft, the vikings should select RGIII.

Why, you say? Because we could trade him to Cleveland for both of their #1's & more, & still get a top player, probably even Kalil.
We could trade him to seattle for Okung & their first, if you have LT on the brain, or
We could get a truck load from either Miami or Washington.

Worst thing we could do would be to stand pat & select a LT.

[Stubby]

With the second pick in the draft, the vikings should select RGIII.

Why, you say? Because we could trade him to Cleveland for both of their #1's & more, & still get a top player, probably even Kalil.
We could trade him to seattle for Okung & their first, if you have LT on the brain, or
We could get a truck load from either Miami or Washington.

Worst thing we could do would be to stand pat & select a LT.

Forget Cleveland trade pick the Redskins. Dan Snyder is such a fool he'll over value the trade and give away a lot more than cheap skate Randy Lerner of the Browns.

[Purple Faithful]

With the second pick in the draft, the vikings should select RGIII.

Why, you say? Because we could trade him to Cleveland for both of their #1's & more, & still get a top player, probably even Kalil.
We could trade him to seattle for Okung & their first, if you have LT on the brain, or
We could get a truck load from either Miami or Washington.

Worst thing we could do would be to stand pat & select a LT.

Forget Cleveland trade pick the Redskins. Dan Snyder is such a fool he'll over value the trade and give away a lot more than cheap skate Randy Lerner of the Browns.

Or the Miami owner Ross. He seems like a fool as well.