Ted Mock 5.0: Mock The Last

Ladies and gentlemen, we have come to the end of the Ted Mock series for 2020.

/raucous cheering and ovation

If you’d like to go check out any other mock drafts in the series, feel free to check out last week’s, and from there you can find links to the rest of them:

Ted Mock 4.0: The Mock Legacy

The setup for me approaching this mock is what it has been all along. The Vikings haven’t done much in free agency, and have a bevy of needs. I would argue CB and WR are the top two needs, but EDGE and offensive line aren’t far behind. With the Kirk Cousins extension, I don’t see the Vikings taking a QB early, if at all. Had there been no extension, yes I think QB would be in play, but not now. I also think the Vikes might be looking for a linebacker or two wit Dom Capers and his 3-4 background now on staff, but that’s just a hunch on my part.

As always, I am using the Fanspeak’s On The Clock Ultimate Draft site, where I can offer and accept trades. Before we get at it, my weekly disclaimer:

I’m not a professional scout, coach, or GM. I am, however, a Professional Idiot.

If you EVER get to the point where you think ‘man this guy is pretty sharp about drafting and stuff’ go back and read the previous sentence. Then talk to any member of my family, immediate or extended, and they’ll set you straight. THEN go check out last week’s mock, just so there’s no confusion.

In formulating and/or accepting trades, I’m using the new 2020 Drafttek Trade Value Chart that was developed by Rich Hill of Pats Pulpit, and one closer to the draft trade chart that teams are now reportedly using, as opposed to the Jimmie Johnson trade chart I’ve used in years past. I know most teams don’t follow it to the number, and other trades include players. Trading players in this simulation isn’t an option, and you have to have some kind of baseline, so this is mine. The Vikings selections as the draft begins are highlighted:

I’m going to try and pick players based on need and the athletic profile they fit for the Vikings. To do that, our old friend Arif Hasan over at The Athletic has produced invaluable metrics based on NFL Combine results, broken down by offense and defense.

I also have players I like, just because. I am a fan, after all.

So, in setting up the simulator, I used Arif’s composite big board, because the dude does his homework. The computer is using a random board, difficulty level is classic, and team needs are based on Fanspeak’s data.

And away we go!

1st Round

I get no offers before the round begins. As the draft starts, one of the weird draft day things starts to unfold. A big time player starts dropping, out of the top 10. The Jets are at 11, so I offer this trade:

They accept, and I am on the clock. Big board:

Selection, round 1, 11 overall: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State

Rationale: No kidding, if Okudah falls out of the top 10, I would expect the Vikings to be making calls. Is it a steep price? Yeah, but Okudah is the best CB prospect to come out of college in a couple years, and the Vikings just solved, arguably, their biggest need. And I was able to make this deal without giving up my other early round picks.

When I come up to 25, I get two trade offers, but the best offer is a high pick in the third round, with lower round picks thrown in. I’m staying put. Big board:

Selection, round 1, 25 overall: Josh Jones, OT, Houston

Rationale: Jones is considered one of the ‘big four’ first round offensive tackles, along with Andrew Thomas, Trsitan Wirfs, and Mekhi Becton. Love the fact that he slipped and the Vikings now have a long term answer at LT.

2nd Round

When the second round begins, I get a couple offers, but again, nothing I would seriously consider. As this round unfolds, another guy I really like is slipping, and slipping, and slipping. Before he gets scooped up, I call the Bears.

They accept, and I am on the clock. Big board:

Selection, round 2 (50 overall): Antoine Winfield, Jr., S, Minnesota

Rationale: I think WInfield is a guy the Vikings really want, and might go after in the first round. For whatever reason, I’m predicting that the Vikings move Anthony Harris before the draft starts, making S a need, and Winfield will be their guy.

3rd Round

I get no trade offers in the third round, and I don’t feel the need to move up or down. When I get on the board, this is what I see:

Can’t pass this guy up.

Selection, round 3, (79 overall): Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

Rationale: Do I think the Vikings take a QB in the actual draft? Probably not. Should they, especially if Hurts is just sitting there? Yes.

My intent for this next pick was to take Tyler Johnson, but he got snapped up a few picks ahead of me, dang it all. Still, a couple of WR options open to me. Big board:

Selection, round 3 (105 overall): Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty

Rationale: The Vikings still need a guy to compete for WR3 with Adam Thielen and Tajae Sharpe.

4th Round

No selection.

5th Round

Big board:

Selection, round 5 (155 overall): Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado

Rationale: There’s a reason Mike Zimmer hired Dom Capers, and I think it’s to use some 3-4 looks. Taylor makes sense here if that’s the case.

6th Round

Big board:

Selection, round 6 (205 overall): Robert Windsor, DT, Penn State

Rationale: Vikings need defensive line depth, and I’m probably a bit late addressing it until now.

7th Round

Three picks this round. Let’s go.

Selection, round 7 (219 overall): Derrek Tuszka, EDGE, North Dakota St

Rationale: Vikings need EDGE depth. Somewhere, Eric Thompson smiles.

Selection, round 7 (249 overall): Jon Runyan, G, Michigan

Rationale: Offensive line depth, possible practice squad/developmental guy.

Selection, round 7, (253 overall): Binjimen Victor, WR, Ohio State

Rationale: Ohio State guy and I still need WR depth.

Recap

Here’s class of Ted Mock 5.0:

To get there, I made these trades:

Personally, I love it. But go ahead and kill me in the comments, hahaha.

Okay, let’s get ready for the real thing tonight. Skol Vikes!