VT QOTW: First Round Draft Picks to Avoid
Austin Belisle
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The first round of the NFL Draft is a marquee of top prospects and college football’s best players. Over the past five years, the Minnesota Vikings have taken advantage of the talent pool, selecting nine players in the first round since 2011. And while most of those picks have been successful for general manager Rick Spielman, some failed to pan out. Names like Christian Ponder and Cordarrelle Patterson come to mind, if only because the price Spielman paid doesn’t match the return on investment.
Ponder was the 12th-overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, while Patterson went 29th-overall in 2013 behind a trade that sent four Vikings draft picks to the New England Patriots. Minnesota can’t afford to make a similar mistake this year, especially when tantalizing names like Jaylon Smith and Josh Doctson may be available when the Vikings select 23rd-overall. But other, more trendy players may fall; players the Vikings shouldn’t draft in the first round. Who are they? Well, I asked the VT Team, and the answers may surprise you!
Who is one player you DO NOT want the Vikings to draft in the first round?
Sam: Corey Coleman, WR — Baylor
Truthfully, I would be disappointed if the Vikings took any receiver early — I’d much rather see them invest in the offensive line or continue to bolster the defense. But Coleman in particular worries me. At 5’10”, 190 pounds, he’s undersized, but his speed and ball skills are what get fans excited. Still, I worry about his transition to the NFL from Baylor’s video game offense, and think the Vikings can get better value elsewhere in the first round.
Carl: Braxton Miller, WR — Ohio State
Miller is a gifted and exciting athlete with some home-run ability. He wowed every one during Senior Bowl practices and moved up draft boards in the process. However, his lack of production and experience at the receiver position gives me hesitation. Miller has undeniable upside, but ball security (three fumbles on 26 receptions in 2015, 30 career fumbles) and durability concerns would make this a poor first round selection.
Adam P.: Jaylon Smith, LB — Notre Dame
Before the Fiesta Bowl a few weeks ago, Smith would have been a great selection if the Vikings were able to draft him in the first round. However, it cannot be ignored that Smith suffered a torn ACL and MCL during the bowl game and had to have reconstructive knee surgery. Now, some people have said that Smith is talented enough and should still be drafted in the first round despite his injury.
Would the Vikings risk spending a first round selection on him given the severity of his injury? Ultimately, they should not if he is still on the board when they go to make their first pick of the draft. The Vikings need players to contribute right now and should be past the point of using high selections on a player that likely will not be the same if and when he is able to play football agin. Now if he is available in the third round…
Adam W.: Scooby Wright III, LB — Arizona
Nik Edlund, Draft Season: Darian Thompson, S — Boise St.
At this point of the 2016 draft season, I do not want the Vikings to draft Darian Thompson from Boise St. in the first round. This isn’t a knock on the player, as Thompson is a talented safety who would actually pair very nicely with Harrison Smith in the Vikings secondary. It’s more of a position knock. To me, the only safety worthy of a first round grade is FSU’s Jalen Ramsey. He’s the complete package, and a true difference maker, but he’ll be long gone by the time the Vikings pick. Thompson is considered by many as the next best prospect, but to me he doesn’t provide much value in the late first round.
There isn’t a huge dropoff in talent between him and the next group of safeties. So yes, if the Vikings wait until Round 2 to address the position, they may miss out on Thompson, but there are a slew of other guys they could land. Von Bell, Jeremy Cash, Su’a Cravens, Miles Killebrew, and Jalen Mills are just a few of the names the Vikings could see on the board when they are up on Friday night. Any of those players would provide much better value and equally fill the Vikings need at safety. If they do take Thompson or any other safety in the first round, it would be a clear need pick. The team can find much better value addressing wide receiver, offensive line, or outside linebacker with the 23rd pick.
Matt Falk, Draft Season: Corey Coleman, WR — Baylor
I’m a big fan of taking a receiver in round one, but not reaching for one. There is a chance by the time Minnesota gets on the clock, the “Big 3” (Treadwell, Doctson, Thomas) could be off the board, leaving the cupboard bare for receivers. While it’s not like I don’t like Coleman, I just don’t like the idea of reaching at 23. Go with the best player available and find that receiver in the next few rounds.
Austin: Derrick Henry, RB — Alabama
I like Derrick Henry. I think he’s one of the top running backs in the NFL Draft. He’s a Heisman Trophy winner. But as a prospect for the Vikings, especially in the first round? Hard pass. Although I’d like to see fresh blood behind Teddy Bridgewater next season, Henry isn’t the answer, and the Vikings can find much better value later in the draft. The dream scenario would be to select Ezekiel Elliott, but he’s the back in this class and will likely be gone before the 23rd-overall pick. With his downhill running style and the wear-and-tear accumulated at Alabama, Henry is a risky option for the Vikings. The team expressed interest earlier this month, but I wouldn’t be surprised if “Trader Rick” was sending out the signals to boost Adrian Peterson’s trade value.