If you're keeping track at home (and I don't know why you would be) I've gone:
Quarterback (7)
Tackle/Guard (6)
Center (5)
so far. For more details you'll have to go check out the posts individually.
You can see chapter 3 here.
Round 4
We've finally gotten to the point where the odds of success with each pick begin to have much higher odds of success. It's probably like 20% chance instead of the 5% odds in later rounds. Those are my guess percentages, don't hold me to them too stringently.
With basically every position group on the Vikings there are young guys who are still learning how to play. From Safety to Cornerback to Running back to Quarterback there is young talent everywhere. Now we all know that the offensive line's young talent is not much different then a puddle of mud but there are other areas of the roster in need of address.
When it comes to round four, things hinges not on the youths but on a veteran. With the retirement of Greenway, things are much clearer. What makes it mirkier is that the Vikings have a pair of picks in rounds four and three. It's a good problem to have but makes it tough to project what may happen without overlapping on later possibilities.
Pick 2
The trend of the draft should start earlier then round four and continue well past it. Offensive Line is again an option with the latter pick in round four. If it comes to it I would like them to snatch David Sharpe from the Swamp.
A better option at that point would be running back I think. There's a different one that I like at a latter point in the draft but this may be the best time to swing for one. Bringing controversy into the locker room is something that's generally avoided but in a results driven culture, getting guys of certain talent levels sometimes trumps the external. Joe Mixon may be the enigma of the century when it comes to the draft.
Nothing makes up for what he did. Does that mean he can't be allowed to advance beyond a bad choice? I don't know if he deserves to be undrafted but a first round talent going in the fourth round is a middle ground. People will protest his addition to an organization, any organization. So why shouldn't the Vikings be the ones to bring him into the fold.
So Joe Mixon or anothe offensive lineman with the second pick in the fourth. What do you say?
Pick 1
This is where Chad's decision comes into play. Having Kendricks & Barr on the roster is a good start, maybe even a great one but the depth beyond those two is questionable. Edmond Robinson has shown the coaches enough to be on roster for the last two years so I don't have any reason to think that it will change this Fall. While Kentrell Brothers may never get as good of a chance to be on the practice field as he will over the next few months. How he does with the opportunity will say a lot about what the Vikings have in him.
It may merit more then a fourth round pick but with everything considered I don't think more can be spent on that group this year. There are six graded to have first round potential. Another four that could go in the second. I have a hard time believing that 10 linebackers will go in the first two rounds but it could happen. I'd say it's more like that a couple of em slip, which would push down the rest. If that happens, take the best available.
As it stands, I'd say try to get Anthony Walker from Northwestern. His stats dropped some from his junior to his senior seasons but were still noteworthy. So take another guy with physical potential and the smarts that come with being a NWU student and shape him like they have with others over the last couple years.
Defensive end was another category that I considered worth addressing with the first in the fourth. The trio of Griffen, Hunter and Robison are still totally sufficient and the group got a little better with a free agent addition of Datone Jones from the Packers. I know, I know, bringing in guys that are cast offs from within the division has rarely worked out for the Vikings but he's young and won't be coached better anywhere but here. Also, barring injuries he'll be the third or fourth edge on the roster so I think it's a good addition. There's also the smattering of young ends already on roster so maybe one of the guys will fall and join the covenant that way but otherwise I'm actually thinking it's unnecessary.
So a running back or o-line and maybe a linebacker or defensive end. How's that sound? Subscribe, comment, question, just let me know!