Let's take a look at the newest member of the Minnesota Vikings from some different media perspectives.
The first thing I'd like to mention is that NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock had Tyrell Johnson rated as the #1 safety in this draft class. . .yes, even higher than big, bad Kenny Phillips from the big, bad U of Miami. He also said that their reasoning for moving up with their pick was because the three teams ahead of them at the time (Detroit, Chicago, and Cincy) all have issues at the safety spot and could all have taken Johnson before he got to Minnesota.
A few other perspectives. . .
Pete Prisco, CBS Sportsline:
Just days after getting pass-rush specialist Jared Allen, the Vikings put a dagger in the hearts of all their 2008 opponents by drafting SS Tyrell Johnson. He's an excellent Cover-2 safety and should help later on in the season.
Excellent Cover-2 safety, eh? Sounds to me like we have our Darren Sharper replacement. Should be fun watching Johnson and Madieu Williams roam the secondary in 2009 and beyond.
WINNER: Minnesota
In trading a first-round and two third-round picks last week to Kansas City, the Vikings assured themselves a fairly quiet first day of the draft. They wound up stealing highly-regarded defensive back Tyrell Johnson of Arkansas State in the second round, but that was it.
However, landing All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen gave Minnesota a major boost and put the Vikes in position as the team to beat in the NFC North. There was no way they were going to get anyone the value of Allen – who had 15½ sacks last year – with those picks.
Rather than a draft party, owner Zygi Wilf threw a party for the signing of Allen, and thousands of fans showed up.
For a team that needed a pass rush and help in the secondary, the week couldn’t have gone much better.
No. . .no, it most certainly couldn't have.
The Vikes have some solid talent at safety, but pick up some more depth in Johnson, the tackle machine out of Arkansas State. Played really well against Texas and Tennessee.
Again, sounds pretty good to me.
Now, at some point later on in the day today, you'll start seeing draft "grades" for various teams. Usually, grading a team's draft a day after it happens is a pretty ludicrous exercise. However, I think I can safely say that the Vikings have had an "A+" week leading up to the draft. . .anyone that's been paying attention gave them that grade as soon as the Allen trade went through.
Speaking of the Allen trade, in case it got lost in the shuffle yesterday. . .Jacksonville gave up a #1, two #3s, and a #4 to move up to the 8th overall pick to select DE Derrick Harvey, who has done nothing on an NFL football field. Minnesota gave up a #1 and two #3s to acquire a player that led the NFL in sacks last season and averages 11.5 sacks a year. All the more reason to feel confident that the Vikings made the right move, in my opinion.
Here's DraftTek's projections for the Vikings' remaining selections as they stand now:
5th Round (150) - Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee
5th Round (152) - Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville
6th Round (187) - Geoff Schwartz, DT, Oregon
6th Round (193) - Louis Holmes, DE, Arizona
7th Round (209) - Justin Tryon, CB, Arizona State
That's all for now, folks. . .we'll be back when the action kicks off from New York again for more discussion. . .hope you'll join us!