Lets have a mock not draft

by IL PurpleRain on Feb 20, 2012 12:54 PM CST

Whats up my dudes. With all of the talk surrounding the draft, and the combine starting this week, i figured this would be a good time to begin this. I know we all love to think about our possible future vikes, but we never talk about the flipside. Who are the names that you think are overrated and hope we dont pick in this years draft? What players do you see on potential draft boards that you would prefer we stay away from? Who do you think is being overhyped? Just curious to see others opinions.

Let the games begin....GO!!

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.

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Malcolm Floyd

He makes some bad decisions and doesn’t seem to give it 100% at all times. If we can get him late 1st early 2nd, then maybe. Otherwise let him pass.

by SkolNick on Feb 20, 2012 1:44 PM CST reply actions

Michael Floyd, but I also agree

Malcolm is the Chargers WR

Straight Cash Homey

by MOSScomeBACK2vikes on Feb 20, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Once again

The need to an edit button strikes again. Sorry, just had a brainfart.

by SkolNick on Feb 21, 2012 8:48 AM CST up reply actions

Need FOR* an edit button

Damn, I need to check these things over before I post them.

by SkolNick on Feb 21, 2012 5:15 PM CST up reply actions

Justin Blackmon and Morris Claiborne

Those are the two at the top of the draft that concern me the most. I think they can be good but in the case of Claiborne, I never saw him face a top offense with an NFL caliber QB or WR. In 2010 they played Alabama but Peterson covered Julio Jones most of the time. They did play Arkansas the last two years.

Take a player like Casey Hayward. He has better stats than Claiborne the last two years and does not have near the help on his defense as Claiborne does. Look at Leonard Johnson who held Blackmon in check most of the game. Blackmon did have one 27 yard TD catch which Johnson had covered but the ball was slightly underthrown and Blackmon went up and got it while the safety came over at a bad angle. The rest of the game Blackmon had 9 catches for 72 yards. Not a bad performance at all by Johnson.

I am not trying to say who is better just that I have not seen enough from Claiborne to justify that pick at #3.

Blackmon is a really good WR. No doubt about that. But he plays in a hurry up offense. He did have 121 catches and 18 TDs. No taking that away. But he needs to run in the low 4.4s for me to take him that high.

While some do not like Michael Floyd, I do like him. He had 100 catches and 9 TDs playing in an entirely different offense. He is bigger and just as fast.

Other than that though it is hard to find a player that would not help this team. At least for me it is.

by MarkSP18 on Feb 20, 2012 2:15 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

I like Blackmon, but not as a top 5 pick

and I think Claiborne will be a stud

Straight Cash Homey

by MOSScomeBACK2vikes on Feb 20, 2012 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

I like your opinion

On claiborne. I dont see him as a top 5. I think there will be better dbs in this draft by far. Im am curious about heyward as ive heard good things, but i havent actually watched tape myself. Same with gilmore. As for Floyd, im a pround ND fan, and i like his MN roots, and id love to have him, but i just cant see him drop into our laps, but its nice to hope.

by IL PurpleRain on Feb 20, 2012 6:14 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I found an easy one....

Donovan McNabb.

by Bjorno on Feb 21, 2012 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Mark strikes again

Love it! I hope Spielman doesn’t take any advice from bloggers and their mock drafts because a lot have had us taking blackmon at #3. I think that’s ridiculous. I think at best, Blackmon has a ceiling like Anquan Boldin(which isn’t bad), but that’s what his skillset reminds me of except I think Boldin had more speed coming out of college. I think he can be a fine player in the NFL, but we’re talking about #3 OVERALL. I think you should get more for your money at that spot. I would rather have the Vikings “reach” for Reiff at that spot. *reach – again, what other mockers would label that as. How is Blackmon slotted at #3 overall and the same people could label Reiff a reach at that spot. Seems to me Reiff would be more of a guarantee and would yield overall better production than Blackmon even though its tough to compare the two. Also, I don’t take much stock in Big12 WRs either. Dez is probably the last WR from the Big12 that I can think of that I would put in an elite category and i wouldn’t put him in the top-15 in the NFL. He’s skilled. He’s super-athletic, but he’s still very raw at the WR position. Blackmon is a more polished WR, but he lacks the athletic side of it which brings down the ceiling.

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Feb 22, 2012 2:02 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

You nailed it on the Bolden comparision

I also think Blackmon is more polished than Bolden coming out of college but his upside is limited at the NFL levelbut who knows he may be a better Hakim Nicks?

by nmvikesfan on Feb 23, 2012 10:27 PM CST up reply actions

Any QB in rounds 1-5...

Not named Andrew Luck.
We should not take a QB in the 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd with all the needs this team has. We do not need to get a “value” pick in the 4th or 5th either. We already have 2 young QB’s on this team, and we will have a vet there to back them up. (probably Sage if he takes about 1 mil to be 3rd string.)
We should also not take a DE in the first 5 rounds. Not as long as we have Jared Allen, Brian Robison, and Everson Griffin on the roster. De’Andre Reed might turn out to be a good situational pass-rusher as well. We’re set at DE.
Now, for the specific players we should avoid:
Justin Blackmon in the top 10, where he’ll probably be drafted. I don’t think he’s a top-5 WR in the game and never will be, which is what I think of when I draft a WR in the top 10. He’ll probably be a nice player, and at #15-20 I’d love him, but not in the top 10 and definitely not in the top 5.
Janoris Jenkins. He’s PacMan 2.0. Enough Said. Cook and him might get arrested more than they get INT’s throughout their years in the NFL…
Nick Toon and Marvin McNutt. Good College WRs. I really think they both will be below average NFL WR’s though…. That’s just my personal opinion. (I would much rather have Nick Toon than McNutt though)
Travis Lewis, LB, Oklahoma. I just don’t really like him as an NFL player. Not sure why, but I’d pass here.

by mak07 on Feb 20, 2012 2:22 PM CST reply actions

I would argue McNutt is better than Toon

Stats(Toon)

Stats (McNutt)

I focused on the career stats broken down year-by-year. What stuck out to me is not only did McNutt have more catches year by year except for his Freshman year(he started off at the QB position), but McNutt also had a higher yards per catch. I think McNutt is faster(should run 4.4-4.5), but I think the combine will go a long way to deciding how both those players are viewed. I would argue with how well McNutt always seems to catch the ball away from his body with his hands, he would be very dangerous in the red zone, something the Vikings could use a big WR for. Being fair, McNutt has had a tendency to make some inexplicable drops and that is honestly, the only cause for concern with him. If anyone has a website that tracks those types of stats, that would be worth an interesting look. But for every inexplicable drop, McNutt’s made some fantastic catches. I recommend youtubing McNutt and Toon and watching the highlights. After that, I don’t think you’d be arguing Toon over McNutt. I obviously like McNutt. I’m a hawkeye fan so I am biased so crucify me if you want on that, but I’ve been watching him his entire career and I’ve seen how he helps out a team. I’m not arguing 1st or 2nd round, but I think round 3 would be good value and if available in the 4th, would be GREAT value for his skillset.

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Feb 22, 2012 2:38 PM CST up reply actions

STAY AWAY

Ryan Tannehill – QB – Texas A&M
Alfonzo Dennard – DB- Nebraska
Travis Lewis- LB – Oklahoma

Straight Cash Homey

by MOSScomeBACK2vikes on Feb 20, 2012 2:49 PM CST reply actions

But why?

I think Dennard could be a great candidate for safety. If he falls into the second round the Vikings should take a look.

Lewis is a perfect 4-3 OLB. He is smaller but he is very smart and did a lot of things for the Oklahoma defense.

by MarkSP18 on Feb 20, 2012 3:01 PM CST up reply actions

IMO

Dennard: I think he would make a better safety than corner. I watched him a good bit this yr and he seems like his aggressiveness bit him in the butt a few times. But at times he was like a blanket on the other team’s top WR

Lewis: Good in run coverage but seemed to me that he went for the TKO instead of the sure tackle. He is a bit undersized as well for a SAM LB.

However, it all depends on where they are drafted. Would I want either of these guys with our #2 pick? NO. But if they fall late 2nd and we get additional picks for the #3 overall pick, I would not be against taking either if they are the Best Player Available

Straight Cash Homey

by MOSScomeBACK2vikes on Feb 20, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions

trent richardson

racked up yards against bad D’s like arkansas and teams like kentucky. hell can we not draft anyone in the sec, according to them there conference is better then the nfl anyway, and they get paid more too…

by statue_left on Feb 20, 2012 5:01 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions 1 recs

Alshon Jeffrey

Im adding him to the list. I think his weight is turning into bad news.

by IL PurpleRain on Feb 20, 2012 6:15 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Apparently he is down to the 215 to 220 range according to scouts.inc

Report: Alshon Jeffery down to 217-220 pounds
Alshon Jeffery – WR – CLG – Feb. 19 – 5:15 p.m. ET

Aaron Wilson of Scout.com is “hearing” that South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery is down to 217-220 pounds and intends to run in the 4.5s at the Combine.

The 217-220 range would be ideal for Jeffery, and running in the 4.5s could save him from the draft-day plunge projected by some after rumors surfaced that he weighed 249 and was running 4.88 as of January. “We’ll see,” allows Wilson. Jeffery is the most polarizing wide receiver in the 2012 draft class.

Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

by MarkSP18 on Feb 20, 2012 6:31 PM CST up reply actions

Nicely put. Ha

I agree. I think he might weigh in a little over 220, but as long as he’s under 230 I think he’ll be alright. 215-220 is better than 225 though, I’ll agree with that. We’ll have to see how he measures up during the combine.

by mak07 on Feb 20, 2012 6:35 PM CST up reply actions

Any player with weight issues is going to be a red flag, I think

Especially after the McKinnie debacle.

by REVENGE4KLUWE on Feb 21, 2012 10:15 PM CST up reply actions

I agree, but its more in principle

McKinnie got cut, IMO, because he showed that he lacks being a professional when no one’s babysitting him. I find it weird that right after the football season, Jeffrey puts on a bunch of weight and then when people start talking about him as an individual, then he loses weight? Makes you wonder how hard the guy will work if no one’s keeping an eye on him(not good, IMO)

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Feb 22, 2012 2:45 PM CST up reply actions

I actually really like Jeffery...

I don’t buy into that stuff. I think he understands what is at stake here and he’ll show up at the combine around 6’4" 225 pounds and run around a 4.50-4.55. If he actually does show up over 230-235 (or even 250 like sometimes reported) I’ll pass, but right now I think he’s still a legit prospect.

by mak07 on Feb 20, 2012 6:32 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not a big fan of people who slack off only to man up when money is on the line

So he’ll play strong every contract year?

The Vikes aren't in a remodeling or reconstruction they are in a burn the place down and start praying they don't mimic the Lions rebuilding process.

by Grime on Feb 21, 2012 8:39 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Perfect!

He can play as a WR every contract year and as an LT in non-contract years.

Win-Win.

by Bjorno on Feb 21, 2012 9:31 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

I'll rec that.

He might still be better than Charlie Johnson… :p

The Vikes aren't in a remodeling or reconstruction they are in a burn the place down and start praying they don't mimic the Lions rebuilding process.

by Grime on Feb 21, 2012 12:34 PM CST up reply actions

True...

I wonder how well he would play at Guard? I keep hearing this idea, and have read reports stating he projected to be a better at Guard (May have even played better at guard), but Indy had no other options at LT.

by Bjorno on Feb 21, 2012 12:55 PM CST up reply actions

I hope so we have so many holes in our offensive line

You should call it an offensive point. (Ha Trig humor!)

The Vikes aren't in a remodeling or reconstruction they are in a burn the place down and start praying they don't mimic the Lions rebuilding process.

by Grime on Feb 22, 2012 9:05 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Hmm...

I am glad I followed the link to this reply…

by Bjorno on Feb 22, 2012 11:01 AM CST up reply actions

lol That is the nerdiest joke ever

And it depresses me that I understood it

by REVENGE4KLUWE on Feb 22, 2012 2:21 PM CST up reply actions

Grime's out in full force

beautiful stuff! Definitely REc’d

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Feb 22, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

Easy cure

Give him one year contracts…or make it an incentive heavy contract making sure to keep weight off and performance bonuses.

by VikesFanInTulsa on Feb 21, 2012 9:49 AM CST up reply actions

Until he holds on and completely handcuffs the organization and alienates his teammates

Things are never that simple.

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Feb 22, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

Stay away

Vontaze Burfict. I do not get the hype. I was not impressed by him in any ASU game that I watched over the last 3 years.

Donnie Fletcher. He as fallen as of late so I am not as worried, but the Vikings will draft players who played in the Senior Bowl early and often.

Mike Adams. He has short arms for a man his size. And so with those shorter arms he allows pass rushers to get into his pads. I would not take him in the first round.

Leonard Johnson. 5’9" with 28" arms. He has some nice ability given his disadvantages, but he will never be more than a nickel player.

I predict my list will get much longer after the under classmen weigh in at the combine.

"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen

by NMVike on Feb 20, 2012 7:57 PM CST reply actions

Good point on Leonard Johnson

If you only watch the game VS Blackmon/OSU, then you’ll love this guy. He gave up a lot of catches to Blackmon, but made instant tackles and broke up a few drives when OSU was supposed to be able to fly down the field on the ISU defense. He has a lot of skill, but mentally he comes up short. He’s very similar to Benny Sapp in that he tends to completely go bonkers and cause the most ridiculous penalties at the most inopportune times. Overall, Stay away, but of course if he can be acquired closer to the 4th-5th round range, then he’s worth taking a shot at.(maybe playing with a “chip” will help keep him focused)

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Feb 22, 2012 2:52 PM CST up reply actions