Vikings Draft Options

   

1.  Amari Cooper – WR – Alabama

PROS
     Cooper is a prototypical deep threat. He is fast, a tremendous route runner, and has a knack for getting open. He has excellent body control. His speed and strong arms allow him to punish corners that try to press him. He can beat the press and immediately kick it into second gear, leaving him wide open for a big gain. He is creative when he has the ball in space, where he can flash his athleticism. Most importantly, he has excellent hands.

CONS
     What’s keeping Cooper out of the top ten picks, are his lack of elite measurables. At 6’1”-200, he doesn’t have the size of a Calvin Johnson or a Demaryius Thomas. He plays the game very fast, but his 40-yard dash time is not elite. In todays measurable based draft system, that will drop him.

Overview

     Amari Cooper is arguably the best wide receiver in an extremely deep class. He would add a potential number one receiver to an offense needing skilled position talent. Allows us to cut Greg Jennings to save us $5 million. Fun fact: Teddy Bridgewater is already familiar with Cooper. Teddy and Cooper played football together at the same high school, Miami Northwestern HS in Miami.

       2.     Brandon Scherff – OL – Iowa

PROS

     Brandon Scherff played left tackle at Iowa, and did so at a very high level. He has good size, at 6’6”-310, he looks the part of a blind side protector. Quick off the snap, which is essential for slowing down today’s speed rushing defensive ends. He is an outstanding downfield blocker, plowing over linebackers and defensive backs consistently. Very strong hands, able to latch onto rushers pads and not allow them to disengage.

CONS

     Needs to start loosening his hips when protecting the pocket. Tends to try too hard to keep defenders in front of him, instead of using their momentum to carry them past the quarterback.

Overview

     Scherff is a very exciting line prospect, we could start him out at left guard, giving Matt Kalil one last chance to prove to us he can be a left tackle in the league. May not be the flashy pick that everyone wants out of the first round, but as the Cowboys showed everyone last year, a great offensive line will take you a long way (remember our offensive line in 2009? Lets get back to those days).

       3.     Trade Down

PROS

     The Vikes could trade down deeper into the first round, acquire more picks and use them to further the depth we are starting to build up. On paper, this draft looks very deep at positions of need. As I said before, this class is very deep at wide receiver. Running back and offensive line are also deep.

CONS

     The Vikings will not get a top ten talent with their first pick. That’s about the only drawback.

Overview

     This may end up being the Vikings best option come draft time. Unless Cooper or Scherff are available when we pick at 11, I’d say we find a partner in the early to mid-20s and add more picks.

      4.     Vic Beasley – OLB – Clemson

PROS

     Beasley is very, very fast. He can blow past offensive tackles, inside them, or outside. His repertoire of pass rushing moves is extremely advanced. He looks like a Von Miller clone. Put him at weak side linebacker in our 4-3 system and he should thrive. This guy is the best pure pass rusher in this class.

CONS

     For as good as Beasley is at rushing the passer, he is inversely as good at defending the run. He often gets overpowered at the line. He also takes poor angles on running back on off tackle runs. If Beasley was even a little bit better against the run, he would be a top five pick.

Overview

     Beasley would be a terrific compliment to Anthony Barr on the other side of our defense. He would give us two potentially elite pass rushers. It would also give us that much more pass rush, which is becoming more and more important especially in the pass happy NFC North. Drafting Beasley would also allow the Vikings to release Chad Greenway and save the team $7.1 million.

      5.     Shaq Thompson – OLB – Washington

PROS

     Thompson is easily the most versatile player in the entire draft class. Thompson played linebacker, safety and running back for the Huskies. He has the size of a prototypical NFL safety (6’1”-230) but has the most experience playing outside linebacker. He will test out well measurable-wise. His time on offense has helped his ability to quickly diagnose plays on defense. He also has a knack for making big plays. He showed this off against Illinois, returning both a fumble and an interception for touchdowns. He finished 2014 with four defensive touchdowns.

CONS

     He will have to bulk up if he wants to play linebacker. This is also an issue in his tackling. He has to make a large percentage of his tackles by diving for the lower body. While he is good at it, he will struggle taking down players that play low to the ground.

Overview

     If the Vikings drafted Thompson, I could see him playing safety, but I’m sure Zimmer could find a way to use his versatility. He would essentially be the Cordarrelle Patterson of the defense, capable of being moved all over. His athleticism and ball skills at safety would complement Harrison Smith’s smash mouth style perfectly.