I haven’t watched one second of the NFL combine. I don’t give a crap how fast a guy runs under those particular circumstances. They aren’t the same circumstances he’ll be playing under, so why is there so much emphasis put on the 40-yard-dash??? I just don’t get it. I’m looking at where the Vikings are drafting and really fail to see how that time is even important. The Vikings have eight draft picks this upcoming draft season, since it’s highly doubtful they will get any compensatory picks. Their needs are greatest at wide receiver and middle linebacker.
I was very much in favor of them bringing in a veteran wide receiver (hello, Greg Jennings, you’d look FAB in purple and gold), but I don’t trust Spielman to do the right thing in free agency. Last season told me everything I needed to know about Spielman’s ability to bring in quality free agents. He has also been quoted as saying they would be looking at “second tier” wide receivers in free agency. I trust him in the draft, since he did such a great job in the 2012 draft, but with the inexperience of the wide out core of the Vikings (assuming Percy is gone), bringing in a veteran receiver makes a lot of sense.
I highly doubt the Packers are going to Franchise Tag Greg Jennings and pay him $10 million dollars next year. I think they are just playing chicken because the thought of the Vikings bringing Jennings in makes them wet themselves. With all of the offensive weapons that Green Bay has, I highly doubt they are going to pay a 30-year-old Jennings that kind of money when they have Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and James Jones on the roster. Jennings isn’t washed up, by any means, but he isn’t exactly young and has some hard miles on him.
I’m not a great sports mind when it comes to the NFL draft. I have just been happy with the fact that the Vikings didn’t do the typical “take the best player available” last year and were intentional with their draft picks. Matt Kalil was a no brainer, as was Harrison Smith. Robert Blanton and Blair Walsh were very pleasant surprises. Jarius Wright and Greg Childs could definitely make big impacts next season.
In looking at the first round, I think the Vikings needs to go with a wide receiver. A good MLB can be had in the second or third round, but I think they really need to make a big splash at the wideout position this draft, especially if they aren’t going to be seeking first tier wide receivers in free agency (thanks for nothing, Rick Spielman). With that said, here is my analysis of the four wide receivers that are being projected to be drafted in the first round that have been linked to Vikings’ interest:
Cordarrelle Patterson:
The explosive wideout out of Tennessee is turning some heads, but I’m really hoping the Vikings don’t bite on him. Even though he isn’t a small receiver (6’3, 205), he isn’t a very physical receiver and has a hard time staying focused on the field. He’s also not terribly good at run blocking and has a tendency to drop passes.
Tavon Austin:
Yes, the West Virginia receiver has been receiving high praise, but the fact remains that he is only 5’8 and 174 pounds. Yes, he’s fast. Yes, he’s dynamic. He’s basically a mini-me of Percy Harvin. I just can’t see blowing a first round pick on this guy. Not enough upside for my tastes.
DeAndre Hopkins:
The wide receiver out of Clemson is fast, runs good routes, and has excellent field vision. He has strong hands, but I really do not think he’s worthy of a first round draft pick. He’s a good sized receiver at 6’1 and 214 pounds. I think he’s a workhorse type of receiver. He’s got good field vision, has good hands, but he’s not going to be an explosive playmaker. I’m voting no on him, at least in the first round.
Keenan Allen:
Allen is out of Cal and is a very, very good possession receiver. He runs good routes, can block, is very athletic, is fast off the line and is a very good combination of speed and size. He is a hard worker and is aggressive. He will make a very good #2 receiver and is the guy I’m hoping the Vikings will draft with their first round pick.
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I understand 40-yard-dash times matter because coaches in the NFL can’t coach speed like that.
Of course, this will always come back around to bite them in the ass. Close to 30 years ago, the Cowboys were looking at drafting a receiver, but they were unsatisfied by his 40 time, so they decided to pass on him. He ended up going to San Francisco.
Who was he, you ask? Jerry Rice.
Oops…