A Peek at Some Possible Vikings’ Backup Plans in the Draft
The countdown continues to draft day. As the excitement builds, so does the consternation. Draftniks and experts alike try their best to nail almost every pick.
A Peek at Some Possible Vikings’ Backup Plans in the Draft
However, the closer you get, the more players jump up and down the board. People with sources start to loosen up a bit on their intel or are getting more from teams as the Pro Days wind down. In all likelihood, a number of players you thought might reach the Vikings’ 24th pick will suddenly gain steam and not be within reach and are scooped up ahead of them.
The dream is now over for that piece you thought was the final cog in the machine. The great thing is that there is always someone else in the draft that you can pick up that meets most of your first choice’s criteria. Who knows? In a few years, that guy you really didn’t want or even thought about is better than the player you dreamed of adding to your team.
I thought a fun exercise might be looking at who most fans really want and then finding the guy that would come in 2nd place to them. If you haven’t looked beyond those 1st round “can’t miss” picks or players whose names you’ve seen printed ad nauseam, why don’t you relax knowing these guys might fill the same bill? They may be taken at any point of the draft. To be clear, this is not “settling” for a different player. These players fit a similar profile at a position the Vikings might need to fill.
Want: OG – Grey Zabel (North Dakota State)
Draft: Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona)
Zabel has started to gain some steam to be out of the Vikings’ reach, either through the natural fall of the draft or getting close enough to risk a trade-up. Several teams could add him before the Vikings pick or take him if they trade down in the 1st or the 2nd round. Savaiinaea is a mountain of a man who played right tackle at Arizona. While he could maybe do some spot duty in the NFL, his main position will be guard. He’s 6’4″ and 324 lbs and has a bit of a mean streak.
Teaming him up with the free agents already added to the line, along with Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, would make the Vikings’ offensive line big and nasty. Savaiinaea would be available in the 2nd to 4th round and would be a good pick up if they missed out on Zabel.
Want: CB – Jahdae Barron (Texas)
Draft: Jacob Parrish (Kansas State)
Cornerback is such a fluid position that it can be hard to get a feel for what teams might do. Other than Travis Hunter and Will Johnson projected to go in the top 10, the next batch feels like they could all go in the 20-40 realm.
It will depend on how teams view the strength of that position and if there will be a run on them at some point. Some are hoping the Vikes are targeting Barron at 24, but Seattle or Green Bay might snag him. Jacob Parrish could be a guy to fill that role a little later on. He’s fast and fluid but will need some time to develop.
The depth the Vikings got during the free agency may afford them some time to bring him up to speed and become a starter next season. He might not be out there this year, but the long game with him might be well worth it.
Want: DT – Walter Nolen (Alabama)
Draft: Shemar Turner (Texas A&M)
While Nolan projects as the best 3-technique at the end of round 1 he may not be there when the Vikings pick especially if they trade down. Defensive tackle is so deep this year that it may be a blessing to take another position before diving into that pool.
So, if Nolen is gone, then Shemar Turner might be the guy, and he might actually be better. Turner was hampered this last season by a leg injury that didn’t heal properly and kept him out of the Senior Bowl and the Combine. He’s very fast off the ball and can be a big-time disrupter. However, he will need to learn good self-discipline, as one of his knocks against him is his penchant for drawing too many unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
If anyone can temper that, it’s Brian Flores and the veterans the team acquired in free agency. Focusing that anger could unleash a pick that surpasses those before him. The Vikings talked with him before his Pro Day, and they were in attendance. I would say he is on their radar and of high interest.
Want: S – Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina)
Draft: Lathan Ransom (Ohio State)
Let’s be honest; the safety position in this draft is wanting in a big way. I almost considered not doing a comparison because the drop-off from Emmanwori and Malaki Starks is big. Lance Zierlein doesn’t pull punches on his evaluations and with problems like “takes bad angles” and “misses open-field tackles” and basically states that some lack the ability to pick up on schemes and recognize what they are trying to do.
None of these are good if you want to be in Flores’ defense, which takes time to learn. (see: Lewis Cine) I had to find someone with enough positive traits that taking at a later round pick wouldn’t hurt much or could be a huge boom pick. Lathan Ransom could be that boom player.
Sure, he’s a major step down from the top two guys, but what he seems to lack is more correctable than other players grading higher than him. Even Emmanwori has some questions, as his athleticism might be boosting him more than his overall abilities.
Want: RB – TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
Draft: Jordan James (Oregon)
Henderson is arguably considered the 2nd or 3rd best back in this draft, with his skill set ready for day one of the NFL. This is a deep running back draft, and we will see if the position gets some resurrection this year or if teams will still view it as complimentary and a lower-level selection position.
The guys rated near the top might go early, and then there may be a big gap between the following selection. Jordan James might be similar to Henderson, but with a few issues to clean up. James is a tough, violent runner but lacks top-end speed. He can catch well out of the backfield but doesn’t elude runners as well as he could. Instead, he goes for contact. He seems like the type of player that could improve dramatically with a little different coaching or running scheme by the team that picks him up.
Regardless, he might be a later-round pick who grows up quickly in the NFL.
You must be logged in to post a comment.