Good morning, everyone. The day we’ve all been waiting for is finally upon us. Christmas morning for adult football nerds! Draftniks, Twitter scouts and Youtube game footage analysts rejoice!
I wanted to start the day off by letting everyone know what our plans are for the draft. While both Adam and I have been in hiding (Arif, Carl and Leslie have done an absolutely stellar job of holding down the fort in our absence) we will reemerge for this wonderful day. Yes, Adam is still alive and well for those of you that have inquired…
Of course, VT will be having a live chat for the draft. Adam and myself will be there for the entirety of Day 1 and 2. Day 3 will be a little slower but we will both likely be in and out throughout Saturday. We hope that all of you will join in and chat with us. There will be a lot to discuss, analyze, predict, etc. I couldn’t think of a better group of people to spend Draft Day with.
Arif will have media access to the Vikings tomorrow and will be performing duties for our friends at the Daily Norseman. He’s promised to feed me some inside news occasionally to make up for his absence so look forward to that! You’ll also want to be sure to check out some of the awesome content he’s bound to generate tomorrow.
Arif, Adam and myself will likely also be sharing our takes via Twitter. So, if you aren’t following us there (why aren’t you, again?), our usernames are below:
@vikingterritory – Adam
@ArifHasanNFL
@brettAnderson87
If you’re like me, you’ll have your VT Consensus Top 200 Big Board in hand thanks to Arif. If you missed Arif’s excellent post regarding the generation of his consensus big boards, you should definitely check it out. If you are lazy and just want the big board for your own use, you can find a printable version here.
Day 1 begins at 8:00 PM EST. I will be in and out the chat throughout the day but will definitely take a seat in the room, so to speak, about an hour or so before the draft begins.
We’ll see you guys there! And again, Happy Draft Day!
While you can still use the above big board, Arif has updated the board this morning to reflect the latest and greatest consensus rankings. The board can be found here. We will do our best to update the board throughout the draft to show who’s been drafted and who’s still available. Only a few more hours!
View Comments
I will have to battle with my 5 year old to watch the draft. We only have the one TV and if it's on she expects it to be something like My Little Pony. Is NFL network streaming it?
On a side note, Hey Adam, I thought you were writing an article about Bryn Renner? What ever happened to that?
I don't think that was me, was it?
Oh, in my mock I have the Vikings trading down with the Jets after successfully tricking either the Giants or the Bears to trade up to 7 to get Donald, letting Mike Evans slip to us. At 18 we take Bridgewater. Then we trade back into round 1 with Kansas City to take the best CB or safety on the board, I slotted Jason Varrett only because I think there will be a big run on those 2 positions in the middle of round 1. Completely wrong, but fun!
Hope Ricky and Co. ate their Wheaties this morning.
A friend emailed me with a tip last night. TE Eric Ebron is on almost every teams board as a top 8 player, but not on any mocks. He told me that he has heard Ebron could go as high as 5. He said the Bucs really like him also. He also said the VIkings will draft Ebron if he drops to number 8. I don't know anything about Ebron except he is a really good pass catching TE. My said freind said Norv Turner loves pass catching TE's, and that Rudolph is in his contract year. The Vikings could loose Rudolph next year. Maybe Ebron is one of the players Rick was talking about that nobody had on their mocks.
That would only help us. Back ages ago I was pulling for us to draft him while Arif was touting Kony Ealy. I wouldn't mind either at the right spot.
I still think defense will have to come first with Zimm running things. Besides, Vikes will be flush with cap space next year again so they will have no problem signing Rudolph.
Well but batman and robin gronk and Hernandez. I certainly want a defensive player but I'm not sure the value is there if we get stuck at 8.
I've thought Ebron would be a darkhorse candidate for awhile. Athletically speaking he is a lot more like Antonio Gates than Rudolph is, and if Rudolph ends up with another injury next year I don't know that they are going to want to pay him big money after getting burned on the Carlson deal. I still think they go defense as there are some character concerns (more in the diva type area) on Ebron. I
I don't remember where I read it, but Ebron himself said he thought the Bills and Lions were the two teams most interested in him. They pick no. 9 & 10. If he really is that popular it could work out well for the Vikes in trade opportunities, or maybe he is a guy the Vikings want. I'm excited Go Vikings! Skol!
if we take a TE at 8, i will crap a uterus
I just peaked at Arifs twitter. I think he's going to pass out before the draft.
odin help us. we NEED a good QB
Trade the Vikings #8 for Dallas' #16 & this year's 2nd, 3rd and next year's 1st.
If all the QBs are available even Manziel at #8, Dallas just might want to trade up for him. They might even be interested in Aaron Donald.
I would take that trade in a heart beat if I were Spielman.
A bidding war between the Giants, Rams and Cowboys for the 8th spot would be just fine with me.
that'd be cool, but i don't think all the QBs will fall
QB, LB, OT.
DT, DB, RB
WR, TE
Please don't reach for positions we already have NFL quality starters. Please.
Serious question for you giuys and your Twitter feeds.
WIL YOU ALL BE "TIPPING" THE PICKS PRIOR TO THE C OMMISSIONERS ANNOUCEMNT??/
THAT SURE DOES RUIN THE FUIN OF THE DRAFT SO DONT DO IT!
GO VIKES!!!
Yeah, no. We don't have that sort of insight. Maybe Arif, does. Let me speak for myself. I will not be tipping anything... Except for a glass of beer. :)
If we stay at 8 I'm guessing it's Dennard or Donald. I think our 8th spot may be a hot zone for an Odell Beckham trade if Evans goes in the top 7.
Sounds good...