Minnesota Vikings Grade
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Minnesota Vikings (B)
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(17) Chad Greenway, OLB. Iowa
(48) Cedric Griffin, CB. Texas
(51) Ryan Cook, C. New Mexico
(64) Tavaris Jackson, QB. Alabama State
(127) Ray Edwards, DE. Purdue
(149) Greg Blue, S. Georgia
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There were a few certainties for the Minnesota Vikings and their draft. It was well documented that the team would not make it out of day one without drafting a quarterback. Trading up into the late second round, the Vikings got Tarvaris Jackson from Alabama State. Having missed out on Jay Cutler in the first round, it was assumed that weakside linebacker was their primary need area. Chad greenway feels that need perfectly. He is a prototype for the position. Needing depth in the secondary and a potential starter at offensive guard, the Vikings acquired both before the end of the second round in Cedric Griffin and Ryan Cook. Having moved around on day one, the Vikings were short picks on the second day and were forced to take sure-fire commodities. In Ray Edwards and Greg Blue, the Vikings did exactly that.
(17) Chad Greenway, OLB. Iowa
Needing a WILL linebacker, the Vikings found an excellent value in Chad Greenway at #17. With Mike Tomlin bringing the Cover 2 from Tampa Bay to Minnesota, a rangy, athletic option at linebacker was needed. Chad Greenway fits this profile perfectly. A projected top ten pick after his senior season, Greenway slipped out of the mix of first round locks after a 4.75 timing in the 40-yard dash at the combine. With a 4.58 time at his Iowa pro day, Greenway found himself firmly back in the first round. Game film shows Greenway all over the field. He has sideline-to-sideline range and works excellent in coverage. At 6'3"/242, Greenway has NFL ready size to compliment his NFL-ready skill set. This is a perfect fit for Minnesota.
(48) Cedric Griffin, CB. Texas
With a shift in defensive scheme comes a shift in personnel. Cedric Griffin is the best true Cover 2 cornerback in the draft class. At 6'0"/199, he has excellent size to play aggressively at the line of scrimmage. He is very physical and displays a good burst off the line. He is smart, instinctive, and supports the run with atuhority. Projected as a safety in a more heavy man coverage scheme, Griffin is a prototypical Cover 2 corner because what he lacks in speed (4.55), he makes up for in physicality and instincts. A durable and productive player on the heralded Texas defense, Cedric Griffin will be able to contribute as a nickel back this year for the Vikings, grabbing a starting role over Antoine Winfield or Fred Smoot in a year or two.
(51) Ryan Cook, C. New Mexico
Offensive guard is a major concern for the Vikings. Steve Hutchinson is an excellent addition on the left side of the line. He will make Vikings' fans very happy as Chester Taylor is slated to have a huge year. On the right side, a massive road grader was needed and found in Ryan Cook. A center at New Mexico, Cook has the size at 6'7"/318 and athleticism to move seamlessly to guard. Cook has excellent feet, making him a very good pass blocker, but he is also extraordinarily strong and can dominate the running game. Cook has relatively poor speed at 5.50 and he struggles with playing too upright due to his towering height, but he will offer the Vikings a potential first-year starter at right guard this season. Having has much experience at center, he will also give them legitimate depth behind Matt Birk who was sorely missed due to injury last season.
(64) Tarvaris Jackson, QB. Alabama State
Having lost Daunte Culpepper to Miami for a second round pick, the Vikings chose to trade up into the second round to grab an heir to the throne: Tarvaris Jackson. Having been clocked as the hardest-throwing passer at the combine, Jackson can simply make all the throws one needs to in the NFL. An excellent athlete, Jackson uses his 6'2"/226 size and 4.68 speed to make plays outside of the pocket. Having played at Alabama State, Jackson lacks experience against top competition and is still very raw as a result; however, he has all the skills to become a dominant player in the NFL. Perhaps a reach in the second round, the Viking must have simply seen potential greatness in Tarvaris Jackson the likes of which warranted moving up to acquire him.
(127) Ray Edwards, DE. Purdue
With only two day two picks, the Vikings had no room to gamble. Ray Edwards is an excellent pick for this reason. A proven player at Purdue, Edwards still has the upside to develop into a truly dominant defensive end at the NFL level. Edwards has excellent size at 6'5"/273 and very good mobility and speed (4.79). Edwards is an athletic pass rusher who also shows signs of power while stopping the run. After an impressive sophomore campaign, Edwards production slipped in 2005; but, one can not forget the potential that he has. At the same time, he has an opportunity to have an immediate impact as a situational pass rusher opposite Eramus James.
(149) Greg Blue, S. Georgia
There in no harder hitting safety in the 2006 draft class than Greg Blue. Blue can simply lay the lumber. His 6'2"/216 size is ideal to compliment his style. Blue's 4.71 speed at the combine leaft questions regarding his coverage abilities. However, at the Georgia pro day, Blue managed at 4.55 time, securing his image as a complete safety prospect. Originially considered a sure-fire day one pick, Blue slipped due to the early arrivals of underclassmen defensive backs. Blue's most major knock lies in the fact that he has picked off only two passes during his entire career. Nevertheless, as an in-the-box safety, Blue is a much better prospect than 3rd round pick, Eric Smith of Michigan State.
Minnesota Vikings (B)
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(17) Chad Greenway, OLB. Iowa
(48) Cedric Griffin, CB. Texas
(51) Ryan Cook, C. New Mexico
(64) Tavaris Jackson, QB. Alabama State
(127) Ray Edwards, DE. Purdue
(149) Greg Blue, S. Georgia
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There were a few certainties for the Minnesota Vikings and their draft. It was well documented that the team would not make it out of day one without drafting a quarterback. Trading up into the late second round, the Vikings got Tarvaris Jackson from Alabama State. Having missed out on Jay Cutler in the first round, it was assumed that weakside linebacker was their primary need area. Chad greenway feels that need perfectly. He is a prototype for the position. Needing depth in the secondary and a potential starter at offensive guard, the Vikings acquired both before the end of the second round in Cedric Griffin and Ryan Cook. Having moved around on day one, the Vikings were short picks on the second day and were forced to take sure-fire commodities. In Ray Edwards and Greg Blue, the Vikings did exactly that.
(17) Chad Greenway, OLB. Iowa
Needing a WILL linebacker, the Vikings found an excellent value in Chad Greenway at #17. With Mike Tomlin bringing the Cover 2 from Tampa Bay to Minnesota, a rangy, athletic option at linebacker was needed. Chad Greenway fits this profile perfectly. A projected top ten pick after his senior season, Greenway slipped out of the mix of first round locks after a 4.75 timing in the 40-yard dash at the combine. With a 4.58 time at his Iowa pro day, Greenway found himself firmly back in the first round. Game film shows Greenway all over the field. He has sideline-to-sideline range and works excellent in coverage. At 6'3"/242, Greenway has NFL ready size to compliment his NFL-ready skill set. This is a perfect fit for Minnesota.
Cedric Griffin is the best true Cover 2
cornerback in the entire draft class
(48) Cedric Griffin, CB. Texas
With a shift in defensive scheme comes a shift in personnel. Cedric Griffin is the best true Cover 2 cornerback in the draft class. At 6'0"/199, he has excellent size to play aggressively at the line of scrimmage. He is very physical and displays a good burst off the line. He is smart, instinctive, and supports the run with atuhority. Projected as a safety in a more heavy man coverage scheme, Griffin is a prototypical Cover 2 corner because what he lacks in speed (4.55), he makes up for in physicality and instincts. A durable and productive player on the heralded Texas defense, Cedric Griffin will be able to contribute as a nickel back this year for the Vikings, grabbing a starting role over Antoine Winfield or Fred Smoot in a year or two.
(51) Ryan Cook, C. New Mexico
Offensive guard is a major concern for the Vikings. Steve Hutchinson is an excellent addition on the left side of the line. He will make Vikings' fans very happy as Chester Taylor is slated to have a huge year. On the right side, a massive road grader was needed and found in Ryan Cook. A center at New Mexico, Cook has the size at 6'7"/318 and athleticism to move seamlessly to guard. Cook has excellent feet, making him a very good pass blocker, but he is also extraordinarily strong and can dominate the running game. Cook has relatively poor speed at 5.50 and he struggles with playing too upright due to his towering height, but he will offer the Vikings a potential first-year starter at right guard this season. Having has much experience at center, he will also give them legitimate depth behind Matt Birk who was sorely missed due to injury last season.
Tarvaris Jackson reminds you of Daunte Culpepper
(64) Tarvaris Jackson, QB. Alabama State
Having lost Daunte Culpepper to Miami for a second round pick, the Vikings chose to trade up into the second round to grab an heir to the throne: Tarvaris Jackson. Having been clocked as the hardest-throwing passer at the combine, Jackson can simply make all the throws one needs to in the NFL. An excellent athlete, Jackson uses his 6'2"/226 size and 4.68 speed to make plays outside of the pocket. Having played at Alabama State, Jackson lacks experience against top competition and is still very raw as a result; however, he has all the skills to become a dominant player in the NFL. Perhaps a reach in the second round, the Viking must have simply seen potential greatness in Tarvaris Jackson the likes of which warranted moving up to acquire him.
(127) Ray Edwards, DE. Purdue
With only two day two picks, the Vikings had no room to gamble. Ray Edwards is an excellent pick for this reason. A proven player at Purdue, Edwards still has the upside to develop into a truly dominant defensive end at the NFL level. Edwards has excellent size at 6'5"/273 and very good mobility and speed (4.79). Edwards is an athletic pass rusher who also shows signs of power while stopping the run. After an impressive sophomore campaign, Edwards production slipped in 2005; but, one can not forget the potential that he has. At the same time, he has an opportunity to have an immediate impact as a situational pass rusher opposite Eramus James.
Greg Blue is an enforcer at safety
(149) Greg Blue, S. Georgia
There in no harder hitting safety in the 2006 draft class than Greg Blue. Blue can simply lay the lumber. His 6'2"/216 size is ideal to compliment his style. Blue's 4.71 speed at the combine leaft questions regarding his coverage abilities. However, at the Georgia pro day, Blue managed at 4.55 time, securing his image as a complete safety prospect. Originially considered a sure-fire day one pick, Blue slipped due to the early arrivals of underclassmen defensive backs. Blue's most major knock lies in the fact that he has picked off only two passes during his entire career. Nevertheless, as an in-the-box safety, Blue is a much better prospect than 3rd round pick, Eric Smith of Michigan State.