The Vikings had 5 selection in the two day draft this season, due to some past season trades. I think that the Vikes did have a good overall draft this season.
In the 1st round:
I was hoping for the Vikes do go with the receiver route and they did. They selected
Percy Harvin.
The Vikes did ignore some of his character-issues in Harvin as well as his durability. He played very well on the field I think with Percy on the one side of the field, Berrian on the other and All-Pro running back AD. This is going make the defenses facing the Vikes to be a little more honest than putting 9 men in the box. Harvin is not your typical receiver, he is compared to
Eric Metcalf, now that is going back.He will be used wherever the Vikes think he will be the most effective at that situation.
Here is a scouts' analysis on Harvin:
- Positives: Shorter than scouts would like, but has a strong, compact build. Rare straight-line speed. Rare elusiveness. Can make defenders miss in tight quarters. Good vision when running in space. Sets up his blocks well and can cut back against the grain. Good agility as a route-runner. Strong, secure hands for the reception. Courageous going over the middle. Gathers in the pass and quickly moves upfield to maximize production. Can extend outside of his frame to make the spectacular reception. Versatile athlete who can contribute as a receiver, running back and shows great potential as a returner, although he never attempted a kick or punt return at Florida. Has struggled with durability, but is considered a physically tough player.
- Negatives: Looks shorter on film than his listed 5-11. Many of his plays in this offense were slip screens designed to get him the ball quickly and in space. Could struggle acclimating to a more pro-style offense. Lack of success at the NFL level from former receivers from Meyer's offense is troubling. Has struggled with durability. Missed practice time in 2008 with ankle, hip pointer and tendonitis in his knee and heel.
In the 2nd round:In the second round the Vikings go after a offensive linemen in the first day. The Vikes select
Phil Loadholt. I really like this pick for the Vikes. I can see him starting on the right side of the line when the season comes around. He is a beast at 332 pounds.
Here is a scouts' analysis on Loadholt:
- Positives: Potentially dominant drive blocker. Massive man who can engulf his opponent, turn him away from the ballcarrier and pancake him to the ground. Looks to intimidate. Only adequate initial quickness off the snap, but has a deep kick-slide and the long arms to keep the pass rusher at bay. Natural knee bender who plays with impressive leverage and balance for a man of his size. Better lateral quickness than initial.
- Negatives: Bit of a "tweener." Too often beaten off the snap by ends to remain at left tackle and might even have to be moved inside -- where his height would be a liability. Marginal lateral quickness to recover when beaten initially. Too often relies on his size, failing to sustain blocks as effectively as he should.
In the 3rd round:In the Vikes first pick of the second day of the draft, they go on the defensive all day. The Vikes draft
Allen Asher. He reminds me a bit like Antonio Winfield. He is undersized and not afriad of getting his nose dirty while tackling ball carriers.
Here is a scouts' analysis on Allen:
- Positives: Shorter than scouts would prefer, but has a good build. Good straight-line speed. Legitimate cover skills. Loose hips to turn and run with receivers. Accelerates smoothly. Cuts smoothly and generates burst to close quickly out of his cuts. Should be able to handle the nickel role early due to his agility. Secure open-field tackler who flashes some pop, considering his size. Natural kickoff returner. Sees the field well and can accelerate through the pack. Mentally tough. Responded to the challenge of playing on an island as a sophomore in the SEC and looked like he belonged immediately. Isn't a finished product
- Negatives: Lacks prototype height to play on the outside. Aggressive and will bite on the double-move. Lacks the elite recovery speed if beaten initially. Responds to the challenge of bigger receivers, but loses out too often on jump-balls. Has obvious athletic ability, but hasn't yet "arrived." Allows too many passes into his chest and will drop easy interceptions. Broken hand requires a Combine check.
In the 5th round:In the 5th round, the Vikes select
Jasper Brinkley.The Vikings add a hard hitter to their lineup with the selection of Brinkley. He punishes ball carriers and will add a bit of toughness to the Vikings defense. He also fills a need for Minnesota at linebacker.
Here is a scouts' analysis on Brinkley:
- Positives: Prototype size and strength for the inside linebacker position. ... Immediate impact defender for South Carolina after transferring from Georgia Military College, and improved gradually. ... Shows some burst as pass rusher on the blitz. ... Good short-area quickness to elude blockers. ... Reliable open-field tackler and can be a punisher inside. ... Intimidating presence whose size and power project nicely as a 3-4 inside linebacker.
- Negatives: Relies on his physical attributes and is still developing his instincts and technique. ... Too often looks to slip blocks instead of using his size advantage. ... Struggles with his hand placement and is slow to disengage. ... Can be fooled by misdirection and lacks the explosiveness to recover. ... Lacks the instincts and foot speed to be a factor in coverage. ... Missed all but four games of the 2007 season after tearing his ACL. ... Underwent surgery September 2007 and wasn't the same player in 2008, when his athleticism was nowhere close to what it was pre-injury.
In the 7th round:the VIkes select
Jamarca Sanford. Sanford has shortcomings in speed and size, but with teams carrying so many defensive backs nowadays, Sanford has a chance to find a spot on the Vikings' depth chart as a safety.
Here is a scouts' analysis on Sanford:
- Positives: Tough. ... Signed with Ole Miss as a linebacker and started four games at this position -- at 200 pounds -- as a sophomore. ... Reliable open-field tackler. ... Lacks the bulk scouts prefer at strong safety, but is a physical hitter that wraps up cleanly. ... Isn't afraid to take on blockers and can disengage to make the tackle near the line of scrimmage. ... High-effort player who doesn't give up on the play. ... Good upside as a special teams defender due to his toughness and reliable open-field tackling.
- Negatives: Lacks size teams prefer at safety and the size to transition back to linebacker. ... Marginal speed for coverage. ... Lacks the change-of-direction agility to stick with receivers in man coverage and too often appears satisfied with making the tackle after the reception is made. ... A steady collegiate defender, but rarely made the flashy play
