quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

ESPN

Minnesota Vikings
Picks: Nos. 18, 49, 82, 97, 163, 196, 234, 235, 244

It took a lot of roster-finagling for the Vikings to get to a cap-compliant position when this league year hit. As such, the Vikings have plenty of 2026 needs and plenty more soon-to-be big 2027 needs. That's a tough balancing act under regular conditions but remember the Vikings have an interim general manager right now. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has never been more powerful in the building. This draft might get weird.

First things first: The Vikings desperately need help on the defensive line. Both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were released for cap relief, and edge rusher Jonathan Greenard is reportedly on the trade market. I don't think the Vikings will grab either position at No. 18 -- the board isn't great for it -- but a trade down could return Missouri edge rusher Zion Young or Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. With nine picks in hand, I'd say with surety the Vikings make at least two picks along their defensive front.

If Minnesota stays at No. 18, a common mock draft pairing gives it Dillon Thieneman, the safety from Oregon, to fill the shoes of Harrison Smith. It's a deep safety class with a few Day 2 options that coordinator Brian Flores will love for their football IQ -- USC's Kamari Ramsey, TCU's Bud Clark -- so I wouldn't mind the team passing on the position in Round 1.

That clears the Vikings to go for "best player available" at No. 18, which feels great. A tackle to provide insurance for Christian Darrisaw's health and Brian O'Neill's contract would be an excellent pick. A corner to challenge Isaiah Rodgers and James Pierre would help the defense take a step. At running back and tight end, Aaron Jones Sr. and T.

J. Hockenson both seem unlikely to return for 2027. At center, Blake Brandel is the starter in name only.

Not all of those positions will be optimal at 18, of course. But whenever a coach is in charge of a draft war room, my antennae perk up for aggressive, short-sighted trades that mortgage the future to fill the now. O'Connell's pride is wounded from the offense's failures last season, and I could see him tilting into an unnecessary Kenyon Sadiq trade-up accordingly.

The bottom line: Just take a lot of good players. You'll need them. (Don't trade up for a shiny offensive toy, Kevin O'Connell.)

I think that perspective is solid for an espn pundit.
I also worry about the draft room dynamic this offseason though somehow someway, I have more confidence in number cruncher Bzrez’s football knowledge over analytics loco Kwesi. But how much?
Will Brzez try to stamp his GM worthiness on picks over making boring conventional but consensus draft picks?
So if KOC has final say … I could definitely see his hand trembling with the Sadiq card, ready to turn it in the micro-second he makes it past the 17th pick. Since day one with Mundt, then Hock, then Oliver … he seems to have an outsized TE fetish.
Depending on who’s on the board, I wouldn’t mind Sadiq but I’ll be pissed, per the article, if we move up one spot for him.
With all our needs this the perfect draft for letting prospects come to us … instead of increasing risk/burning choices by moving up for someone we fancy.
a small tradedown here and there … ok.
This is going to be super interesting to see how the KOC Brzez Flores triangle operates under pressure.
Cant wait.

I predict they draft Offense early and go Defense late just because of Flores ability to find his type later.

Maybe I’m missing someone but, outside of round one, the only draft picks that have emerged into something are Nailor and Reichard. The rest are just bits and pieces … so far.

If what you mean is, Flores can do more with less … certainly. But just giving him the scrubs late in the draft will catch up, already has as teams have found ways to punch holes in his schemes late in the year. We need talent across the board.

We can only hope your prediction is lame.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Which is shorter list than your original one. Personally, I'd rather hit on my first three rounds of draft picks than rely on finding diamonds in the rough.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

ESPN

Minnesota Vikings
Picks: Nos. 18, 49, 82, 97, 163, 196, 234, 235, 244

It took a lot of roster-finagling for the Vikings to get to a cap-compliant position when this league year hit. As such, the Vikings have plenty of 2026 needs and plenty more soon-to-be big 2027 needs. That's a tough balancing act under regular conditions but remember the Vikings have an interim general manager right now. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has never been more powerful in the building. This draft might get weird.

First things first: The Vikings desperately need help on the defensive line. Both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were released for cap relief, and edge rusher Jonathan Greenard is reportedly on the trade market. I don't think the Vikings will grab either position at No. 18 -- the board isn't great for it -- but a trade down could return Missouri edge rusher Zion Young or Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. With nine picks in hand, I'd say with surety the Vikings make at least two picks along their defensive front.

If Minnesota stays at No. 18, a common mock draft pairing gives it Dillon Thieneman, the safety from Oregon, to fill the shoes of Harrison Smith. It's a deep safety class with a few Day 2 options that coordinator Brian Flores will love for their football IQ -- USC's Kamari Ramsey, TCU's Bud Clark -- so I wouldn't mind the team passing on the position in Round 1.

That clears the Vikings to go for "best player available" at No. 18, which feels great. A tackle to provide insurance for Christian Darrisaw's health and Brian O'Neill's contract would be an excellent pick. A corner to challenge Isaiah Rodgers and James Pierre would help the defense take a step. At running back and tight end, Aaron Jones Sr. and T.

J. Hockenson both seem unlikely to return for 2027. At center, Blake Brandel is the starter in name only.

Not all of those positions will be optimal at 18, of course. But whenever a coach is in charge of a draft war room, my antennae perk up for aggressive, short-sighted trades that mortgage the future to fill the now. O'Connell's pride is wounded from the offense's failures last season, and I could see him tilting into an unnecessary Kenyon Sadiq trade-up accordingly.

The bottom line: Just take a lot of good players. You'll need them. (Don't trade up for a shiny offensive toy, Kevin O'Connell.)

I think that perspective is solid for an espn pundit.
I also worry about the draft room dynamic this offseason though somehow someway, I have more confidence in number cruncher Bzrez’s football knowledge over analytics loco Kwesi. But how much?
Will Brzez try to stamp his GM worthiness on picks over making boring conventional but consensus draft picks?
So if KOC has final say … I could definitely see his hand trembling with the Sadiq card, ready to turn it in the micro-second he makes it past the 17th pick. Since day one with Mundt, then Hock, then Oliver … he seems to have an outsized TE fetish.
Depending on who’s on the board, I wouldn’t mind Sadiq but I’ll be pissed, per the article, if we move up one spot for him.
With all our needs this the perfect draft for letting prospects come to us … instead of increasing risk/burning choices by moving up for someone we fancy.
a small tradedown here and there … ok.
This is going to be super interesting to see how the KOC Brzez Flores triangle operates under pressure.
Cant wait.

I predict they draft Offense early and go Defense late just because of Flores ability to find his type later.

Maybe I’m missing someone but, outside of round one, the only draft picks that have emerged into something are Nailor and Reichard. The rest are just bits and pieces … so far.

If what you mean is, Flores can do more with less … certainly. But just giving him the scrubs late in the draft will catch up, already has as teams have found ways to punch holes in his schemes late in the year. We need talent across the board.

We can only hope your prediction is lame.

Redmond, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Richter, Drake Rodriguez, Taimani, Williams, Vaughn, McGlothern, Chambliss, and Batty are all on the roster, All drafted later or UDFA. All still on the roster.

1. UDFA is not a draft choice.
2. There is a difference between roster filler and players who actually see the field.

Ingram-Dawkins, Richter, Rodriguez, and Williams all saw the field last year as did the UDFAs Redmond and Richter.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

ESPN

Minnesota Vikings
Picks: Nos. 18, 49, 82, 97, 163, 196, 234, 235, 244

It took a lot of roster-finagling for the Vikings to get to a cap-compliant position when this league year hit. As such, the Vikings have plenty of 2026 needs and plenty more soon-to-be big 2027 needs. That's a tough balancing act under regular conditions but remember the Vikings have an interim general manager right now. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has never been more powerful in the building. This draft might get weird.

First things first: The Vikings desperately need help on the defensive line. Both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were released for cap relief, and edge rusher Jonathan Greenard is reportedly on the trade market. I don't think the Vikings will grab either position at No. 18 -- the board isn't great for it -- but a trade down could return Missouri edge rusher Zion Young or Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. With nine picks in hand, I'd say with surety the Vikings make at least two picks along their defensive front.

If Minnesota stays at No. 18, a common mock draft pairing gives it Dillon Thieneman, the safety from Oregon, to fill the shoes of Harrison Smith. It's a deep safety class with a few Day 2 options that coordinator Brian Flores will love for their football IQ -- USC's Kamari Ramsey, TCU's Bud Clark -- so I wouldn't mind the team passing on the position in Round 1.

That clears the Vikings to go for "best player available" at No. 18, which feels great. A tackle to provide insurance for Christian Darrisaw's health and Brian O'Neill's contract would be an excellent pick. A corner to challenge Isaiah Rodgers and James Pierre would help the defense take a step. At running back and tight end, Aaron Jones Sr. and T.

J. Hockenson both seem unlikely to return for 2027. At center, Blake Brandel is the starter in name only.

Not all of those positions will be optimal at 18, of course. But whenever a coach is in charge of a draft war room, my antennae perk up for aggressive, short-sighted trades that mortgage the future to fill the now. O'Connell's pride is wounded from the offense's failures last season, and I could see him tilting into an unnecessary Kenyon Sadiq trade-up accordingly.

The bottom line: Just take a lot of good players. You'll need them. (Don't trade up for a shiny offensive toy, Kevin O'Connell.)

I think that perspective is solid for an espn pundit.
I also worry about the draft room dynamic this offseason though somehow someway, I have more confidence in number cruncher Bzrez’s football knowledge over analytics loco Kwesi. But how much?
Will Brzez try to stamp his GM worthiness on picks over making boring conventional but consensus draft picks?
So if KOC has final say … I could definitely see his hand trembling with the Sadiq card, ready to turn it in the micro-second he makes it past the 17th pick. Since day one with Mundt, then Hock, then Oliver … he seems to have an outsized TE fetish.
Depending on who’s on the board, I wouldn’t mind Sadiq but I’ll be pissed, per the article, if we move up one spot for him.
With all our needs this the perfect draft for letting prospects come to us … instead of increasing risk/burning choices by moving up for someone we fancy.
a small tradedown here and there … ok.
This is going to be super interesting to see how the KOC Brzez Flores triangle operates under pressure.
Cant wait.

I predict they draft Offense early and go Defense late just because of Flores ability to find his type later.

Maybe I’m missing someone but, outside of round one, the only draft picks that have emerged into something are Nailor and Reichard. The rest are just bits and pieces … so far.

If what you mean is, Flores can do more with less … certainly. But just giving him the scrubs late in the draft will catch up, already has as teams have found ways to punch holes in his schemes late in the year. We need talent across the board.

We can only hope your prediction is lame.

Redmond, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Richter, Drake Rodriguez, Taimani, Williams, Vaughn, McGlothern, Chambliss, and Batty are all on the roster, All drafted later or UDFA. All still on the roster.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

Dane Bugler's 7 rd mock.

Count me in through rd 5.

1 (18). Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
2 (49). Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
3 (82). A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
3 (97). Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
5 (163). Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati
6 (196). Mason Reiger, edge, Wisconsin
7 (234). J.C. Davis, OT, Illinois
7 (235). Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky
7 (244). Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

And even with a QB working for peanuts, the O commands 57% of the cap.

Intentionally throw Flores scraps again and he's going to file a lawsuit!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

And even with a QB working for peanuts, the O commands 57% of the cap.

Intentionally throw Flores scraps again and he's going to file a lawsuit!

LOL. Bias against success might be tough for us to disprove.

Theres a lot of hyperbole about Flores but I dont really give him enough credit. Hard to be playoff competitive when all they give you is duct tape and some sticks.

A shame we didnt overhaul our scouting / personnel group after 2022 disaster or early this offeason.

Fortunately, we HAVE overhauled our approach this year. Our draftroom has a little maze with three mice wearing tiny jerseys, (offense, defense, st) … when our clock starts they’re released and first one to the cheeseboard, chooses.

(edit: ok a low blow even for me)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Todd M

How much of a step down is Thieneman vs Downs?

The best S - Hamilton fell in our laps when no one thought he would and we passed. I feel like sitting and taking the 3rd best S doesn't take the sting of that away. I know no one sees Downs falling out of the top 10 but if he did would you want to trade up?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Todd M

How much of a step down is Thieneman vs Downs?

The best S - Hamilton fell in our laps when no one thought he would and we passed. I feel like sitting and taking the 3rd best S doesn't take the sting of that away. I know no one sees Downs falling out of the top 10 but if he did would you want to trade up?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeff Jesser

quote:

ORIGINAL: Todd M

How much of a step down is Thieneman vs Downs?

The best S - Hamilton fell in our laps when no one thought he would and we passed. I feel like sitting and taking the 3rd best S doesn't take the sting of that away. I know no one sees Downs falling out of the top 10 but if he did would you want to trade up?

What I've heard/read about the 2 is that they are pretty close but what puts Downs over the top is his intelligence. They say he's yelling out coverages and plays before the ball is snapped and is often dead on.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mark Anderson

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeff Jesser

quote:

ORIGINAL: Todd M

How much of a step down is Thieneman vs Downs?

The best S - Hamilton fell in our laps when no one thought he would and we passed. I feel like sitting and taking the 3rd best S doesn't take the sting of that away. I know no one sees Downs falling out of the top 10 but if he did would you want to trade up?

What I've heard/read about the 2 is that they are pretty close but what puts Downs over the top is his intelligence. They say he's yelling out coverages and plays before the ball is snapped and is often dead on.

If Downs gets down to 14 or 15, we should think about it.

But, I think we caught a little glimpse at the end of the year in what they think of Ward. He is a physical, at the line of scrimmage type guy. Get Thieneman to play the centerfielder role and we are set. Mettulus also in the mix as hybrid LB/S.