April 2019 - Minnesota Vikings Wiretap

2019 NFL Draft Mock Draft 2.0: Pre-Combine Edition

Feb 25, 2019 5:10 PM

By Jeff Risdon, RealGM

This edition has quite a few changes in player and draft slot from the first edition. Spending two weeks with NFL personnel evaluators at the Shrine Game and Senior Bowl gave me a better idea of how some prospects are viewed from the NFL ranks, and the changes here reflect that. Note that at this stage of the draft season, coaches are still getting their feet wet with most of the prospects. The Combine at the end of February into early March will provide even more clarity.

1. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State. Instant impact pass rusher who can play in a variety of roles and schemes. At this point, the only real question is his durability. Will that be enough to convince the Cardinals to look elsewhere? Right now, I don’t think it trumps Bosa’s game-changing potential.

2. San Francisco 49ers: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama. It’s hard to watch the 49ers devote yet another premium draft pick to the defensive line, but it’s also hard to ignore just how much Williams can help San Francisco where they really need it. Someone could trade up here to land Williams too.

3. New York Jets: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston. I expect Oliver to show out in Indy and revive the interest in him as the potential No. 1 overall pick. His ability to create pressure up the gut and make plays behind the line is exactly what the Jets need in a division with a diverse range of opposing QBs.

4. Oakland RaidersKyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma. Does it make sense for the Raiders to scrap Derek Carr? Probably not. But it’s so easy to see Jon Gruden being infatuated with all Murray can do and how it would allow the Raiders to change the dynamics of defending them. They’re in a good position to take such a risk, too.

5. Tampa Bay BuccaneersCody Ford, OT, Oklahoma. Ford is an instant starter at one of the tackle spots, which is both a credit to his rapid rise and an indictment of how badly the Buccaneers need the powerful help he can provide. 
 
6. New York Giants: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky. What, no QB?! Not in this instance. Instead, GM Dave Gettleman opts to fortify the pass rush with the versatile Allen and buys another year with Eli Manning. His pass rushing prowess is a difference-maker. 
             
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State. This pick seems like a lock if Haskins remains on the board. The Jaguars sorely need to hit on a high-end QB, and Haskins has the pocket passing precision to pay off quickly. 
             
8. Detroit Lions: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson. Ferrell checks the boxes the Lions want in upgrading the pass rush: he can line up in multiple spots and schemes and plays the run exceptionally well on his way to the QB. Lower ceiling than the pass rushers above him here but his ability to generate pressure on his own is underrated. 
             
9. Buffalo Bills: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida. I was surprised at the buzz around Taylor from scouts at the Senior Bowl. His athletic profile and potential is highly regarded and could easliy land him in Buffalo, where building around running QB Josh Allen and replacing free agents at both RT and RG are imperative. 
             
10. Denver Broncos: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri. Joe Flacco handles the reins until the live-armed Lock can take over. It’s a risky pick--Lock has real warts that must be smoothed--but could result in John Elway finally getting the QB position right. 
             
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Devin White, LB, LSU. This is a very common projection and that’s for good reason; the Bengals are typically one of the easiest organizations to read in terms of draft intentions. To quote The Cranberries, “Everybody else is doing it so why can’t we?”
             
12. Green Bay Packers: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa. A do-it-all weapon who can quickly ingratiate himself to Aaron Rodgers for both his blocking and his receiving, this one should get the QB’s seal of approval. 
             
13. Miami Dolphins: Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan. A divisive prospect but one with a very high ceiling, Gary could help catapult the Dolphins defense with his athleticism and ability to get after the passer. 
             
14. Atlanta Falcons: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa. Atlanta appears to be a prime candidate to trade back, but “settling” for the freaky Fant should tickle Falcons fans’ fancy. Another versatile receiving weapon in an offense that is already hard to defend.

 
15. Washington: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss. Currently built more like a defensive end than a wideout, the 6-4, 230-pound Metcalf proved he can play before his neck injury. The durability question keeps him out of the top 10, methinks. Washington doesn’t mind...
 
16. Carolina Panthers: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama. Williams proved himself in big games, and his ability to adapt within a play and recover if initially beaten stand out. With the questions Carolina has at both tackle spots, adding a ready-made starter is a positive.


17. Cleveland BrownsBrian Burns, EDGE, Florida State. Pairing the lanky, speedy Burns with Myles Garrett would provide the Browns defense with even more ways to attack in new DC Steve Wilks’ scheme. I had OT Andre Dillard here for a long time before changing.


18. Minnesota Vikings: Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss. Little has loads of athletic potential but uneven results in pass protection. Vikings GM Rick Spielman bites the apple and hopes it tastes sweet in a year or two at a position where the team keeps hitting sour notes.

19. Tennessee Titans: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington. Murphy offers naturally instinctive stickiness in coverage and the ability to play outside or in the slot. He’s a player who could rocket way up from this range with a good week in Indy. 

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU. The Steelers search for a playmaking CB leads them to Williams, who offers length and speed to help bolster an uneven secondary. 
             
21. Seattle Seahawks: Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida. If Frank Clark leaves in free agency, the Seahawks almost have to use this pick to address the pass rush. If Clark returns, that opens this pick up to other options, but Seattle would still need EDGE help. Polite brings sizzle off the edge.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Kelvin Harmon, WR, North Carolina State. The Ravens could do a lot worse to build around Lamar Jackson than selecting the physical, reliable Harmon. Aside from having great hands and running smooth routes, he’s an incredible blocker. 
             
23. Houston Texans: Garrett Bradbury, OC/OG, North Carolina State. The quest to upgrade the long-struggling offensive line in Houston turns to one of the most physical finishers in the draft and an instant starter at any of the three IOL positions for the Texans. 
             
24. Oakland Raiders (from CHI): N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State. Oakland uses the bounty from Amari Cooper to replace him with the supersized Harry, who moves quite well for a 6-6 receiver and can really help on 3rd downs and in the red zone. 
  
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State. His stiff-arm bull rush wowed in Mobile, and his game tape features more of his high football IQ and ability to bend the edge. He and Derek Barnett as the Eagles young edges would be fun to watch

26. Indianapolis Colts: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame. A powerful interior rusher with the ability to dominate (see the Michigan game), Tillery instantly reinforces the weakest point on the promising young Colts defense.
             
27. Oakland Raiders (from DAL): Devin Bush, LB, Michigan. Bush can fly all over the field and do anything asked of an NFL LB, but his size (he’s expected to be 5-10/225) is a detraction. Give Gruden football players like this and the size doesn’t matter (much).             

28. Los Angeles Chargers: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State. The Chargers depth up front is shallower than a Kardashian’s intellect. Dillard can play either tackle spot and appears undervalued at this point in the draft process. 
             
29. Kansas City Chiefs: DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia. Building up the pass defense is an imperative for a team that figures to see a lot of comeback attempts against them. Baker brings a physical presence with a high football IQ; his speed in Indy is one of the biggest things I’m watching. 
             
30. Green Bay Packers (from NO): Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College. Lindstrom can play any interior line position. The Packers need his technically savvy surliness right away. 
  
31. Los Angeles Rams: Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware. The first FCS-level prospect comes off the board at the back end of the first round, and Adderly instantly upgrades the back end of the Rams defense with his all-around game.

32. New England Patriots: Irv Smith, TE, Alabama. It’s convenient to call Smith a Gronk replacement, but the lithe Smith has a different style of game. The Patriots will find ways to use his elusiveness in space and his blocking chops.

Teams that lack a first-round pick...

Dallas Cowboys: Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina

New Orleans Saints: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

Chicago Bears: Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia

Jeff Risdon/RealGM

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Adam Thielen's Agent Optimistic About New Deal

Feb 20, 2019 7:11 PM

Adam Thielen's agent, Blake Baratz, is optimistic that the wide receiver will receive a new deal from the Minnesota Vikings.

Thielen makes significantly less than teammate Stefon Diggs. Baratz doesn't believe his client will hold out for an adjusted deal.

"Adam's not that type of person," Baratz said. "I would never condone a player to hold out or be disruptive if it wasn't for a very valid reason, and [what's not] a valid reason, to me, is both sides working in good faith to come to a conclusion that makes sense for everybody."

Thielen is entering the third season of a four-year, $19.246 million base deal.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Stefon Diggs Hopes Vikings Fans Will Remain Patient

Feb 11, 2019 8:34 AM

Kirk Cousins' first year with the Minnesota Vikings wasn't a successful one, but Stefon Diggs hopes fans will remain patient.

"First year," Diggs said. "New system, new quarterback, new receivers. Everybody's new. Still got to adjust, and you know there's a lot of room for improvement. We've had a lot of sparks. We had some good games. Some things that you saw that we could be really special. And doing it on a consistent basis is something that's going to come with time. You can't look forward to time. It's not working against us, it's working with us."

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Misc Rumor

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Kirk Cousins Has Been 'Frustrated' All Offseason

Feb 8, 2019 8:46 AM

The Minnesota Vikings signed Kirk Cousins to get them to the Super Bowl, but they failed to make the postseason at all.

Cousins said on The Dan Patrick Show that this past season couldn't be viewed as a success on any level.

"The short answer is no," the quarterback said. "We didn't make the playoffs. There were high expectations and we didn't deliver, and so I've been frustrated since the season ended."

Cousins threw for 4,298 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 70.1 completion percentage.

"I wish the 2019 season started tomorrow," he said. "I'm ready to go and make amends for 2018. I'’s been frustrating to know I have to sit here for whatever it is, seven or eight months before we get back at it.

"It has been a tough January for me. I haven't been sleeping well, that kind of a thing, because, yeah, it just left a bad taste in my mouth the way the season finished up."

Darin Gantt/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Misc Rumor

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