Minnesota Vikings Forecast
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Minnesota Vikings (9-7)
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(17) Jay Cutler, QB. Vanderbilt
(48) Roger McIntosh, OLB. Miami
(51) Max Jean-Giles, OG. Georgia
(83) Greg Jennings, WR. Western Michigan
(95) Alan Zematis, CB. Penn State
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The Vikings rid themselves of Daunte Culpepper and Nate Burleson. While it was certainly not worthwhile to match the Seahawks 7-year/$49m deal to keep Burleson, the loss of Culpepper may have been less excused. Losing a franchise fixture at quarterback for a second round pick may become an executive decision looked upon poorly in the years upcoming. Regardless, the Vikings have other needs. It is unfortunate that Steve Hutchinson can only play one guard spot. The Vikings need another to polish off their O-Line. Once thought to be targetting a running back in the draft, Chester Taylor has solved that issue through free agency. He is one of the best running backs that 75% of NFL fans have never heard of. On the defensive side of the ball, Dontarrius Thomas is simply not a starting linebacker in the NFL. A competent starter at outside linebacker needs to be found early in the draft. The last pressing need is at cornerback. While Antoine Winfield and Fred Smoot make a great starting duo, there exists no depth on the roster. While both Smoot and Winfield have years remaining on their contracts, they are not getting any younger and an NFL-ready nickelback would make their defense even better.
(17) Jay Cutler
Grabbing a quarterback is the #1 priority for the Vikings on draft day. If he manages to slip to #17, Jay Cutler will be snatched up in a hurry. He would be a great option for the franchise. He has a rocket arm, capable of getting the ball downfield to the Viking receivers. His footwork is raw, but with no rush of starting this year, he would have time to iron out his flaws before stepping in for Brad Johnson when the time comes. At Vanderbilt, Cutler's wide receivers gave him tight windows to throw into. His offensive line forced him to throw under pressure. Through it all, Cutler was successful in the SEC: one of the best defense conferences in America. All signs point to him being great. This is a phenominal value pick for the Vikings.
(48) Roger McIntosh, OLB. Miami
Needing a linebacker to complete the help complete the defense, Roger McIntosh is a very viable option that will be presenting good value at this point in the draft. Nicknamed Rocky, McIntosh is an excellent athlete who can fly all over the field. His 4.61 speed is very good, and his 6'2"/237 size is competent. He is a sure-handed tackler that excels as a pass rusher. Having sured up the teams quarterback situation with Jay Cutler in round one, taking a big-hitting, Miami linebacker is a logical move for a team that needs to add dimensions to the defensive scheme. New defensive coordinator, Mike Tomlin, would love a fast, rangy linebacker like McIntosh to round out the defense.
(51) Max Jean-Giles, OG. Georgia
Grabbing an offensive guard will be essential to the Vikings draft. In the middle of the second round, the top candidates will likely start presenting themselves as good value to teams in need. Max Jean-Giles would make a lot of sense. At 6'4"/355, he is very large, but he possesses excellent footwork. He is very good in pass protection. As a run blocker, he is massive and strong, providing an incredible initial punch at the line. He has the ability to manhandle opponents. However, he must watch his weight as he has struggled with it in the past. Having had success at Georgia, Jean-Giles is simply impossible to pass up at this point in the draft.
(83) Greg Jennings, WR. Western Michigan
Having lost Randy Moss to the Vikings last year and Nate Burleson to the Seahawks this year, the Vikings may be better served grabbing a receiver on day one before the talent is gone, addressing their offensive line needs on day two. Greg Jennings is an explosiev receiver that has all-world agility and acceleration. He can give the Vikings an immediate boost in the return game. As a receiver, his 5'11"/197 size is rather small, but his game-breaking ability is anything but small. He plays considerably faster than his 4.48 time and has NFL-ready route-running skills. By pick 83, the Vikings would find it impossible pass up someone as versatile and polished as Greg Jennings.
(95) Alan Zematis, CB. Penn State
The last of the sure-fire cornerbacks will be falling off the board at this point in the draft, and the Vikings are better off grabbing one now than waiting until the late rounds where projected the talent becomes a crap shoot. Penn State's Alan Zematis is neither the fastest (4.56) nor most athletic corner in the draft class. Yet, his game is incredibly polished. He is oversized at 6'1"/194 and his intuition allows him to play very well in zone coverage. This fits perfect with the Vikings cover-2 scheme. To top it all off, Zematis is a sure-handed tackler who is a monster against the run. He stops the run better than any defensive back in the entire draft.
(*) Ernie Sims, OLB. Florida State
You can bet that former Tampa Bay Buccaneer assistant Mike Tomlin is paying attention to the Derrick Brook's comparisons for Florida State linebacker Ernie Sims. Undersized at 5'11"/231, Sims plays larger than his size might suggest. He can flat out lay the lumber. His measureables are quite excellent. His 4.48 speed gives him sideline-to-sideline range. An experienced and productive player at Florida State, Sims is a fiery competitor who simply made plays week in and week out. Ernie Sims would fill a giant need at linebacker for the Vikings. There is definitely a chance that Sims does not make it to #17, but should he make it there, the Vikings will likely find Ernie Sims gift-wrapped come draft day.
Minnesota Vikings (9-7)
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(17) Jay Cutler, QB. Vanderbilt
(48) Roger McIntosh, OLB. Miami
(51) Max Jean-Giles, OG. Georgia
(83) Greg Jennings, WR. Western Michigan
(95) Alan Zematis, CB. Penn State
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The Vikings rid themselves of Daunte Culpepper and Nate Burleson. While it was certainly not worthwhile to match the Seahawks 7-year/$49m deal to keep Burleson, the loss of Culpepper may have been less excused. Losing a franchise fixture at quarterback for a second round pick may become an executive decision looked upon poorly in the years upcoming. Regardless, the Vikings have other needs. It is unfortunate that Steve Hutchinson can only play one guard spot. The Vikings need another to polish off their O-Line. Once thought to be targetting a running back in the draft, Chester Taylor has solved that issue through free agency. He is one of the best running backs that 75% of NFL fans have never heard of. On the defensive side of the ball, Dontarrius Thomas is simply not a starting linebacker in the NFL. A competent starter at outside linebacker needs to be found early in the draft. The last pressing need is at cornerback. While Antoine Winfield and Fred Smoot make a great starting duo, there exists no depth on the roster. While both Smoot and Winfield have years remaining on their contracts, they are not getting any younger and an NFL-ready nickelback would make their defense even better.
Brad Johnson is not getting any younger
(17) Jay Cutler
Grabbing a quarterback is the #1 priority for the Vikings on draft day. If he manages to slip to #17, Jay Cutler will be snatched up in a hurry. He would be a great option for the franchise. He has a rocket arm, capable of getting the ball downfield to the Viking receivers. His footwork is raw, but with no rush of starting this year, he would have time to iron out his flaws before stepping in for Brad Johnson when the time comes. At Vanderbilt, Cutler's wide receivers gave him tight windows to throw into. His offensive line forced him to throw under pressure. Through it all, Cutler was successful in the SEC: one of the best defense conferences in America. All signs point to him being great. This is a phenominal value pick for the Vikings.
(48) Roger McIntosh, OLB. Miami
Needing a linebacker to complete the help complete the defense, Roger McIntosh is a very viable option that will be presenting good value at this point in the draft. Nicknamed Rocky, McIntosh is an excellent athlete who can fly all over the field. His 4.61 speed is very good, and his 6'2"/237 size is competent. He is a sure-handed tackler that excels as a pass rusher. Having sured up the teams quarterback situation with Jay Cutler in round one, taking a big-hitting, Miami linebacker is a logical move for a team that needs to add dimensions to the defensive scheme. New defensive coordinator, Mike Tomlin, would love a fast, rangy linebacker like McIntosh to round out the defense.
Max-Jean Giles is perfect to play opposite Hutchinson
(51) Max Jean-Giles, OG. Georgia
Grabbing an offensive guard will be essential to the Vikings draft. In the middle of the second round, the top candidates will likely start presenting themselves as good value to teams in need. Max Jean-Giles would make a lot of sense. At 6'4"/355, he is very large, but he possesses excellent footwork. He is very good in pass protection. As a run blocker, he is massive and strong, providing an incredible initial punch at the line. He has the ability to manhandle opponents. However, he must watch his weight as he has struggled with it in the past. Having had success at Georgia, Jean-Giles is simply impossible to pass up at this point in the draft.
(83) Greg Jennings, WR. Western Michigan
Having lost Randy Moss to the Vikings last year and Nate Burleson to the Seahawks this year, the Vikings may be better served grabbing a receiver on day one before the talent is gone, addressing their offensive line needs on day two. Greg Jennings is an explosiev receiver that has all-world agility and acceleration. He can give the Vikings an immediate boost in the return game. As a receiver, his 5'11"/197 size is rather small, but his game-breaking ability is anything but small. He plays considerably faster than his 4.48 time and has NFL-ready route-running skills. By pick 83, the Vikings would find it impossible pass up someone as versatile and polished as Greg Jennings.
Alan Zematis fits the Cover 2 scheme perfect
(95) Alan Zematis, CB. Penn State
The last of the sure-fire cornerbacks will be falling off the board at this point in the draft, and the Vikings are better off grabbing one now than waiting until the late rounds where projected the talent becomes a crap shoot. Penn State's Alan Zematis is neither the fastest (4.56) nor most athletic corner in the draft class. Yet, his game is incredibly polished. He is oversized at 6'1"/194 and his intuition allows him to play very well in zone coverage. This fits perfect with the Vikings cover-2 scheme. To top it all off, Zematis is a sure-handed tackler who is a monster against the run. He stops the run better than any defensive back in the entire draft.
(*) Ernie Sims, OLB. Florida State
You can bet that former Tampa Bay Buccaneer assistant Mike Tomlin is paying attention to the Derrick Brook's comparisons for Florida State linebacker Ernie Sims. Undersized at 5'11"/231, Sims plays larger than his size might suggest. He can flat out lay the lumber. His measureables are quite excellent. His 4.48 speed gives him sideline-to-sideline range. An experienced and productive player at Florida State, Sims is a fiery competitor who simply made plays week in and week out. Ernie Sims would fill a giant need at linebacker for the Vikings. There is definitely a chance that Sims does not make it to #17, but should he make it there, the Vikings will likely find Ernie Sims gift-wrapped come draft day.