Will be a bust as an NFL receiver.

Maybe he’ll have a decent returner career, but he will NOT be a supreme NFL receiver. I’m not saying Nicks for sure will be, but I think the likelihood is much greater.

Feel free to screenshot this post and rub it in in a couple years if Harvin is a success. I’m standing by my opinion though.

Let’s not forget that a lot of harvin’s highlights were against a team they were beating 28-0.

Harvin will be a better player in this league, but not in Minnesota. Can you imagine Harvin in an offense like Miami? Miami knows how to use their players to their full abilities. The KAO does not do that. With another coach, I would say Harvin over Nicks hands down.

You know what you get with Nicks. A solid WR who will go over the middle and make amazing catches. Can he break it any time he touches the ball? No. But he can and will pick up 10-15 yards per catch, which is what the Vikings need.

I look at it like this: if it’s 3rd and 7, who would you rather have on your team? Personally, I want Nicks who can make that possession reception and convert the first down.

I think both these guys have promise, but also some red flags. Nicks is considered to have below-average speed/quickness, and Harvin’s raw as a traditional receiver. There are also relatively similar players that should be available later on, too. (Off the top of my head, Brian Robiskie is roughly comprable to Nicks: outstanding hands and route running but slower, although Nicks probably has the higher YAC potential; Derek Williams is roughly comprable to Harvin as a slot guy/gimmick back.) I also think both have some bust potential.

I think Harvin would offer the most potential to add a new dimension/dynamic to the offense, and possibly really allow Berrian and Rice to settle into their proper roles. And Harvin’s versatile enough that you maybe figure he could even do some of the things Chester Taylor does after Taylor leaves. But are Childress/Bevell creative enough to use him? Would they be willing to run more 3-out sets? And what about his injury history?

I like the idea of taking a playmaker with the first pick, though. Yes, they need help on the line, probably immediate help. But outside of franchise LTs (none of the potential prospects which maybe can be considered that are falling to #22), line help can be found throughout the draft. And honestly, another playmaker or two (on either side of the ball; I like Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith as a defensive playmaker) is as important to this team raising its ceiling.

Smith’s one of those guys where there’s no consensus where he’ll go (not that the consensus ends up being right most times, anyway). Just looking at some mocks, I’ve seen him as high as #14 overall and as low as mid-2nd round.

I have to think it’s because he’s 5’9". Outside of that, he’s considered one the more athletic CBs in the draft, he has a live body, he returns kicks, he mixes it up in the run game with Winfield-like gusto, and the dude had 21 picks in his NCAA career (playmaker). I’d consider him at #22, but I’m not on Zygi’s payroll.

some are yacking up going after Boldin which won’t happen. Crabree falls a little and you offer switching picks plus a 2 (which we can only do if we can get a decent OT in FA) or a pick next year. It would be good but I think it will come down to Nicks or Harvin.
I think we agreed that the OT will have to come in the draft Frost but a guy who can step in might have to come no later than the 2nd round otherwise it is a bit of a gamble

the idea is interesting. Maybe a switch in picks plus a player trade? But who? I got it T-Jax!

I don’t want another WR.

Scrolling down reading comments I agree with just about everything PurplePeopleEaters said. Pretty much took the words outta my mouth.

Personally I’d be happy with either guy—I think both Harvin and Nicks will be excellent NFL players.

Harvin could be used creatively and all over the field like he was utilized in Florida. However, call me crazy, but I’m pretty sure the words “creativity” and “Brad Childress’ offense” have never been used in the same sentence without the word “lacks” somewhere in there. For example: how long did it take Chilly to finally put Taylor and AP in the backfield together after we had been clamoring for it for months? I’m afraid that the Vikings may not employ the traits that make Harvin such a unique player.

I think Nicks is probably the best route runner in the draft. I watched him a lot during the end of the season, and although he’s not your classic speedster, he’s excellent at getting separation by running precise routes. I believe he’s one of the most polished WRs in the draft. Crabtree’s also in that discussion of course, but my Irish ass has a better chance of staying sober this St. Patty’s Day weekend than the Vikings have of getting Crabtree.

Although Harvin may have a higher ceiling, I’d like to get a sure thing after all the uncertainty we’ve had this offseason.

He could be a great reciever but again, I have to blame a lot of his lack of numbers on stupid play calling and routes. He doesn’t call the play. We have a stupid OC that runs only his slot man short. You got your 2 wide outs running deep all the time. Sidney has a lot of talent but no coaching. Not all routes have to be long sprint outs. When we do have our WR’s going short it is not to pass to them but to set up blocks for a run or short pass. It is a dead give away.
We talked about wasting Harvins talent if we got him. Will we do the same to Nicks as we do to Sidney. He wa a good YAC man at SC. Get him the ball shorter and watch him fly. If we want to gain more 1st downs get Sid or Bernie to run slants behind the LB’s, cut for a short post or simple curl backs. As with some of our running plays, we have no imagination on route patterns. This is not the fault of the reciever. He just does what the play calls for. QB times it and hits him. How often do we see that or a secondary target like that-seldom!

he does have trouble getting separation many times but the game is much faster than college and I just can’t help but think coaching the techniques of getting open when facing multiple defenses isn’t being drilled into him. Is it him or the offensive (WR)coaches? He just seems to have so much God given ability it makes me wonder. Sid should be fast enough to open things up enough or is it just not sinking in fast enough?
Something is wrong somewhere.
Your right. The 3rd year will tell a lot. I have seen him open and not seen in a lot of red zone situations and on occasions he is thrown to there he can pull it in. Maybe that is his nitch and should be a more frequent option. Learning to separate in those situations could help him produce and help out more.
Now, if Nicks can do in the pros what he does in college-Wow! Now he would be a go to guy when we hit the 30 yard mark. Quick fakes down and a sharp break to the post and that kid can find gaps that make it look easy. Have him teach that to Sidney and have a duel threat at medium/short range and Bernard would see some big opportunities on the long ball. Then Wade can do his short down and out thing when we are in a 2nd or 3rd down with 3-5 yds to go for a 1st. Now we need a QB who can read those zones and check multiple recievers and that would be beautiful!