Looking Ahead to the Draft

Hey all,
      As you know, the Timberwolves aren't very good this year. At this point in the season, they have the second worst record in the NBA and the future looks bleak for the Wolves. Considering this, I think it's safe to start looking ahead to the draft. The Wolves are all but guaranteed a top five pick, so with this in mind, what are their best options? Here are my top three picks for the Wolves, in order.

1. D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio St.- This is another young prospect, with plenty of room to grow. He is a versatile combo guard, who handles pressure very well. He can shoot the 3-pointer at an excellent clip (44%) and he can shoot the ball from just about anywhere else on the court as well (45% field goal percentage). He has excellent vision and passing ability, as well as solid decision making. At 6'5" he is above average height for a point guard, and just below average height for a shooting guard, so size should not be an issue in his transition to the NBA, regardless of where he sees play. His 6'9" wingspan also gives him the ability to disrupt passing lanes and gives him extra length to get shots off. His weaknesses include his strength, which he needs to work on in order to compete at the NBA level and finishing in transition. He also has a below average jumping ability and needs more intensity on the defensive end of the court. Overall, I feel like he could be a very solid shooting guard, as well as a solid three-point shooter that the Timberwolves have been lacking since the departure of Kevin Love and that he would complement Andrew Wiggins very well.

2. Myles Turner, PF/C, Texas- An absolute monster on the boards, measuring in at 6'11", with a 7'4" wingspan. This young man has an excellent shot from anywhere on the court, clipping three pointers at 40% rate, two point jumpers at a 44% rate, and shooting nearly 70% in the post (69.7%). He also shoots free throws at 89% which, for a big man, is well above the average. He also is good defensively, blocking 2.7 shots a game, which is helped immensely by his 9'1" standing reach. He also has very solid decision making, with a 1:1 assist to turnover ratio. He has very few weaknesses, but the one that stands out is his athleticism. In order to compete an NBA level, he will need to put on some weight, as well as adjust to the height of NBA forwards. This should not be a problem for him, but it will take some time, so he will need to develop. Overall, he is a very well rounded prospect and he is someone the Timberwolves could use to help sure up their defensive interior. He can also stretch defenses with his ability to drain the three point shot, and give them a much needed interior presence on the offensive side of the ball, especially on the boards.

3. Justise Winslow, SG/SF, Duke- This guy has been wowing scouts with his elite level speed and athleticism, as well with his shooting and excellent on ball defending. His field goal percentage comes in at 43%, which is very solid and his three point shot comes in at 34%, which is serviceable for a starter in the NBA, and can be improved upon. The weaknesses he has shown include a poor free throw shooting ability, with only 57% at the line, and some consistency issues, but these can be worked out with practice and playing time. He also needs intensity to reach his full potential, something he has been seen as lacking. Overall, I feel he would bring a solid presence to a weak position on the current Timberwolves roster, and he would work well with Ricky Rubio, who is more than happy to let someone else to take the shots. Additionally, in combination with Andrew Wiggins, he could make an excellent one-two punch. He would provide some sorely needed defensive help to the Timberwolves, while providing a solid shooter as well.

In summary, I put the picks in the above order, because I feel as though the Timberwolves are much more in need of another ball handler, who can shoot the ball and distribute and take pressure off of Ricky Rubio, as well as add another shooting threat, or a big man underneath, who would give the Timberwolves a much needed defensive and offensive presence in the post, than just a pure shooting guard. However, depending on how the Timberwolves structure their offense going forward, things could look very different. But as things stand now, these are my picks for the Timberwolves.

Honorary mention- Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke- Any team who gets the first pick should be ecstatic to draft such an NBA ready center. There is not much else to say about him, other than that he is very nearly the real deal, and with some polish, could be an all-star. If the Timberwolves get the first pick, this is easily my first choice for our pick and this holds true for any team in the league.

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.