FanPost

Flip's Five: Draft Steals

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T.J. Clemmings.

Moritz Bohringer.

These two are considered recent draft busts for the Minnesota Vikings. They’re constantly criticized for their lack of on-field production, and General Manager Rick Spielman takes flak for drafting. Personally, I find it funny how quickly cynics move on from one late round pick to the next. Be it David Yankey, or Greg Childs, or Mistral Raymond, there will always be late round misses. That’s why they call them late round fliers.

So let’s turn the argument around and find the times when those draftees ended up being a hit! In the later rounds of the draft Rick Spielman keeps grinding. He has unearthed some true gems. So again here I locate where Rick clearly did get the right guy. On the Vikings current roster there are many savvy decisions.

Here are five steals:

Brian Robison

What’s fun about this exercise is that all of the players I’m covering have spent their entire careers with the Minnesota Vikings. Robison is the premier example. After his selection in the 4th round of the 2007 draft, he was buried behind Kenechi Udeze, Ray Edwards, and Jared Allen. When he got his chance in 2011 he blossomed and has been a mainstay ever since. He’s still wreaking havoc with several clutch strip sacks last year. Choosing from the 24 Defensive Ends drafted in 2007, Brian Robison’s career is in the top 5. Up there with players like LaMarr Woodley and Charles Johnson. DEs drafted after him include Jay Richardson and Justin Rogers.

Robison is the classic example of how good drafting, good development, good talent, and good hard work can take you far In the NFL. Moreover, he has brought his second passion, fishing, along with him. He celebrates sacks by pretending to reel the QB in. He uses fishing for charity work and team building. It’s been a joy to cheer for Brian Robison both on and off the field.

Everson Griffen

Peer across the defensive line and you’ll find another draft steal: Everson Griffen. A 2010 4th round pick, Griffen presents a lesson in patience. He was a 2016 team captain, but few Vikings fans realize that last year was only his 3rd as a full time starter. First he matured, then he flashed skill during limited snaps during a four year journey to the starting role. No Defensive End drafted after Griffen has accomplished this. Would you prefer Greg Hardy or O’brien Schofield instead? Didn’t think so.

Griffen came into the league unfocused, but he aged well and became a leader; the defense’s main motivator. It’s beautiful when a player develops this way. I find it enjoyable to watch a young man’s growth into a star. Now, we are watching Danielle Hunter displace Brian Robison in the same way Everson Griffen displaced Jared Allen.

Shamar Stephen

It’s very easy to overlook Shamar Stephen on the Vikings defense. In the midst of all the shuffling at the defensive tackle position, Stephen has exhibited the "next-man-up" philosophy valiantly. As a rookie he provided spell duties for Linval Joseph in 2014. He even got a few starts under his belt when Sharif Floyd missed time due to injury. The next year, a healthy rotation of Joseph, Floyd, and Tom Johnson pushed Shamar down the depth chart. Last year, however, Floyd incurred a serious injury and Johnson struggled. This opened the door for Stephen and he played admirably.

I’m not suggesting he’s stud, or even average, but finding quality depth in the 7th round should not be underrated. Stephen’s production outpaces all other DTs picked after him combined. He has even outperformed Will Sutton, a 2014 3rd rounder who the Vikings recently acquired from Chicago. Shamar Stephen has done well.

Edmond Robinson

Edmond Robinson was a 7th round linebacker in the 2015 draft. Typically, late round LB careers start with a stint on special teams and that’s how Robinson made the roster in both 2015 and 2016, and it’s where he’s made the bulk of his contributions. Some of the other LBs drafted near Robinson didn't even make their teams. Moreover, Chad Greenway’s retirement means that Robinson has a golden opportunity to become a contributor on defense as well.Robinson has already done more than the average 7th round LB, and I have high hopes that he is that next great draft steal.

Sidebar here: Those other LBs drafted around the Robinson pick include Deiontrez Mount, Mark Nzeocha, and Xzavier Dickson. Those are some names!

Stefon Diggs

While we’re hoping that Edmond Robinson can lock down the WLB position, we already know what Stefon Diggs is capable of. Stefon Diggs should have been drafted in the 3rd round, not the 5th, as it ended up—this became obvious the moment he stepped onto the field his first year, in 2015.. Diggs started off with 4 games totaling 40 targets, 25 catches, 419 yards, and 2 TDs. That’s a ridiculous stat line. Diggs’ success continued over the last two years. Injury is the only factor that has slowed him down. Even so, don’t even bother to look at the WRs drafted after him in 2015. Drafting Stefon Diggs 146th overall may be the best draft pick Rick Spielman has ever made.

Diggs’ swaggering play is captivating. He came in to the league with something to prove, and made sure to demonstrate his arrival in some way after almost every catch. Going forward, he’s poised to take the next step. His focus is on improved health and a bigger leadership role.

Late round fliers require patience. More importantly, they require reduced expectations. Players drafted on day 3 may take 4 years to develop into starting caliber talent. They may only serve as quality depth. Or they may not pan out at all; most don’t. When they do pan out though we are given not only a great player, but also a great story.

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.