Number 18 Pick
I am going to look at some of the potential options for the Vikings with the 18th overall pick. This will obviously be greatly affected by who they select with the Number 7 overall pick. It will also be affected by potential slips.
Here are the options-On the Defensive Side of the Ball.
Erasmus James-DE-Wisconsin-
Strengths: Great pass-rushing moves. Strong upper body. Possesses atheletic moves to get to the Quarterback. Long arms. Quick first step with good insticts. Shown ability to beat double teams to get to Quarterback. Decent tackler, who can play the run.
Weaknesses: Durablity. Lacks the speed of a Dwight Freeney, or Jevon Kearse. He was also surronded by great D-line talent at Wisconsin. The Hip and Ankle injuries are the biggest concerns.
Overall: He is not the prospect Shawne Merriman is. His injury history is a big concern for teams in the first round. This guy is a boom-or bust selection. I wouldn't take him probably higher than about 25 if I had only had one First, but with two like the Vikings, you consider rolling the dice. Also, you gotta wonder about rolling the dice two years in a row on injury prone ends.
David Pollack-DE-Georiga
Strengths: Incredible insticts. Terrifc motor, and a very good tackler. Good use of hands that he combines with good strength and quickness to beat his man. Able to change directions. Very good set of pass-rush moves.
Weaknesses: Much like James, he doesn't have explosive speed. Could have trouble with the big tackles, he will see on an every week basis in the NFL.
Overall: Scouts, INC considers him the best end prospect in the draft. I don't see him as a dominant rusher in the NFL, but a very solid NFL player.
Marcus Spears-DE-LSU
Strengths: Large at 310 lbs, would best translate as a 3-4 end. Very good versus the run. Strong with very good atheletic ability for a player his size. Good insticts. Quicker than he is fast. Can stay in lanes.
Weaknesses: I don't know where he would play in the Vikings defense. He could start at LE, but Darrion Scott seems capable there, and he is backed up by Kenny Mixon. He doesn't have the Skills to play left end. He could be best at undertackle, where the Vikings have an all-pro. Lack of speed, and ability to miss tackles, also a concern.
Overall: See above, I would be very surpised if he is the Vikings pick.
Demarcus Ware-DE-Troy
Strengths: Fastest DE to consider. He came to Troy as a 165 lb, WR. Quick first step, which makes him a pass-rushing threat combined with speed. Fast riser could go as high as number 13 to the Texans. High motor, and active versus the run.
Weaknesses: Only around 250 lbs, could be in the mode of a Lance Johnstone, a situtional rusher at this point in his career. Lacks the stregnth to beat blocks of a Shawne Merriman. No real position in 4-3 at this stage in his career
Overall: A very intriguing prospect, but will need to bulk up to make a big impact on the next level. Maybe, a bit too much of a project for my liking at 18.
Dan Cody-DE-Oklahoma
Strengths: Quick, institictive and tough. Great motor. Can play the run. Very intelligent defender. Above average first steps, and the type of worker that teams want.
Weaknesses: Suffers from clinical depression. Am I being insenstive maybe, but remember the last player the Vikings took with such issues in the 1st round. Lacks leg strength to get free from offensive tackles. He also doesn't possess great size, or speed.
Overall: Cody is slipping a bit because of concerns about size and stregth at the next level. You also have to figure that he could slip a bit because of his depression.
Note: I do not hope to offend people with clinical depression by this, but I am trying to be honest in my assesment. Clinical depression is an illness that needs to be treated. I offer my full support to all going through this struggle, which people in my family have had to endure.
Matt Roth-DE-Iowa
Strengths: Good insticts, and can play both the run and the pass. Good size combines with a good motor. Knows how to use his hands. Good first steps. Better doing power rushes which will be harder to do in the NFL.
Weaknesses: lack of speed to turn the corner. Can get overagressive at times.
Overall: More of a Grant Wistrom-type a solid player versus the run with the ability to rush the passer somewhat. Maybe not what the Vikings are exactly looking for.
Thomas Davis-S/LB-Georgia
Strengths: Big time hitter, that is very tough, and agressive. Shows very capable speed at UGA's pro-day. Can beat blocks, great against the run. Terrific tackler. Would be very tough to get by in the first 5 yards, at the pro-level. Good insticts. He can be effective on the blitz.
Weaknesses: Not great hip movement. Isn't as good against the pass as the run. Some think he might be more suited to LB in the pros. Can get overagressive at times. Will have trouble playing the pass.
Overall: Davis is Roy Williams minus the pass coverage ablity. He could play SS on a team like the Vikings due to their depth at the Cornerback position. He wouldn't be giving away any speed to their current SS Corey Chavous either. Some don't like him. I think he will be a solid starter in the NFL. I would consider him at 18.
Kevin Burnett-OLB-Tennessee
Strengths: Fast, and tough. Good angles on a running plays. Can get through traffic, very good range. Better tackler than Derrick Johnson, who can play the pass also. Can rush the passer when needs to.
Weaknesses: Durablity, and he needs better insticts.
Overall: Not what the Vikings really need, he really is no different than there other young linebackers. A better tackler than Derrick Johnson, but lacks his insticts. Rule him out at 18, but not at 50.
Here are the Offensive Options
Mark Clayton-WR-Oklahoma
Strengths: Terrific quickness, which will get people open. Great route runner. Great body control, the speed to get deep. Catches the ball in stride, elusive runner after the catch.
Weaknesses: Only real weakness is a lack of size.
Overall: If they don't go wide receiver at 7, I want Clayton at 18.
Troy Williamson-WR-South Carolina-
Strengths: World-class speed, with good size. Most dangerous as a deep threat. Can adjust and make the difficult catch.
Weaknesses: Raw and can be jammed. Not a very good route runner, not a whole lot more than a deep threat at this stage of his career.
Overall: I see him as an Alvin Harper, Wille Gault type, not a number one receiver. I really don't want him at 7, and I wouldn't be real nuts about him at 18.
Roddy White-WR-UAB
Strengths: Good vertical threat at 6'1 with 4.45 speed. Mel Kiper, JR. is high on him. Good runner after the catch.
Weaknesses: Same as Williamson ahs trouble running routes. He also lacks a real quick first two steps, not very good for a receiver.
Overall: Home run potential, and not that different from Williamson. So my feelings on him, you can probably guess.
Here are the options-On the Defensive Side of the Ball.
Erasmus James-DE-Wisconsin-
Strengths: Great pass-rushing moves. Strong upper body. Possesses atheletic moves to get to the Quarterback. Long arms. Quick first step with good insticts. Shown ability to beat double teams to get to Quarterback. Decent tackler, who can play the run.
Weaknesses: Durablity. Lacks the speed of a Dwight Freeney, or Jevon Kearse. He was also surronded by great D-line talent at Wisconsin. The Hip and Ankle injuries are the biggest concerns.
Overall: He is not the prospect Shawne Merriman is. His injury history is a big concern for teams in the first round. This guy is a boom-or bust selection. I wouldn't take him probably higher than about 25 if I had only had one First, but with two like the Vikings, you consider rolling the dice. Also, you gotta wonder about rolling the dice two years in a row on injury prone ends.
David Pollack-DE-Georiga
Strengths: Incredible insticts. Terrifc motor, and a very good tackler. Good use of hands that he combines with good strength and quickness to beat his man. Able to change directions. Very good set of pass-rush moves.
Weaknesses: Much like James, he doesn't have explosive speed. Could have trouble with the big tackles, he will see on an every week basis in the NFL.
Overall: Scouts, INC considers him the best end prospect in the draft. I don't see him as a dominant rusher in the NFL, but a very solid NFL player.
Marcus Spears-DE-LSU
Strengths: Large at 310 lbs, would best translate as a 3-4 end. Very good versus the run. Strong with very good atheletic ability for a player his size. Good insticts. Quicker than he is fast. Can stay in lanes.
Weaknesses: I don't know where he would play in the Vikings defense. He could start at LE, but Darrion Scott seems capable there, and he is backed up by Kenny Mixon. He doesn't have the Skills to play left end. He could be best at undertackle, where the Vikings have an all-pro. Lack of speed, and ability to miss tackles, also a concern.
Overall: See above, I would be very surpised if he is the Vikings pick.
Demarcus Ware-DE-Troy
Strengths: Fastest DE to consider. He came to Troy as a 165 lb, WR. Quick first step, which makes him a pass-rushing threat combined with speed. Fast riser could go as high as number 13 to the Texans. High motor, and active versus the run.
Weaknesses: Only around 250 lbs, could be in the mode of a Lance Johnstone, a situtional rusher at this point in his career. Lacks the stregnth to beat blocks of a Shawne Merriman. No real position in 4-3 at this stage in his career
Overall: A very intriguing prospect, but will need to bulk up to make a big impact on the next level. Maybe, a bit too much of a project for my liking at 18.
Dan Cody-DE-Oklahoma
Strengths: Quick, institictive and tough. Great motor. Can play the run. Very intelligent defender. Above average first steps, and the type of worker that teams want.
Weaknesses: Suffers from clinical depression. Am I being insenstive maybe, but remember the last player the Vikings took with such issues in the 1st round. Lacks leg strength to get free from offensive tackles. He also doesn't possess great size, or speed.
Overall: Cody is slipping a bit because of concerns about size and stregth at the next level. You also have to figure that he could slip a bit because of his depression.
Note: I do not hope to offend people with clinical depression by this, but I am trying to be honest in my assesment. Clinical depression is an illness that needs to be treated. I offer my full support to all going through this struggle, which people in my family have had to endure.
Matt Roth-DE-Iowa
Strengths: Good insticts, and can play both the run and the pass. Good size combines with a good motor. Knows how to use his hands. Good first steps. Better doing power rushes which will be harder to do in the NFL.
Weaknesses: lack of speed to turn the corner. Can get overagressive at times.
Overall: More of a Grant Wistrom-type a solid player versus the run with the ability to rush the passer somewhat. Maybe not what the Vikings are exactly looking for.
Thomas Davis-S/LB-Georgia
Strengths: Big time hitter, that is very tough, and agressive. Shows very capable speed at UGA's pro-day. Can beat blocks, great against the run. Terrific tackler. Would be very tough to get by in the first 5 yards, at the pro-level. Good insticts. He can be effective on the blitz.
Weaknesses: Not great hip movement. Isn't as good against the pass as the run. Some think he might be more suited to LB in the pros. Can get overagressive at times. Will have trouble playing the pass.
Overall: Davis is Roy Williams minus the pass coverage ablity. He could play SS on a team like the Vikings due to their depth at the Cornerback position. He wouldn't be giving away any speed to their current SS Corey Chavous either. Some don't like him. I think he will be a solid starter in the NFL. I would consider him at 18.
Kevin Burnett-OLB-Tennessee
Strengths: Fast, and tough. Good angles on a running plays. Can get through traffic, very good range. Better tackler than Derrick Johnson, who can play the pass also. Can rush the passer when needs to.
Weaknesses: Durablity, and he needs better insticts.
Overall: Not what the Vikings really need, he really is no different than there other young linebackers. A better tackler than Derrick Johnson, but lacks his insticts. Rule him out at 18, but not at 50.
Here are the Offensive Options
Mark Clayton-WR-Oklahoma
Strengths: Terrific quickness, which will get people open. Great route runner. Great body control, the speed to get deep. Catches the ball in stride, elusive runner after the catch.
Weaknesses: Only real weakness is a lack of size.
Overall: If they don't go wide receiver at 7, I want Clayton at 18.
Troy Williamson-WR-South Carolina-
Strengths: World-class speed, with good size. Most dangerous as a deep threat. Can adjust and make the difficult catch.
Weaknesses: Raw and can be jammed. Not a very good route runner, not a whole lot more than a deep threat at this stage of his career.
Overall: I see him as an Alvin Harper, Wille Gault type, not a number one receiver. I really don't want him at 7, and I wouldn't be real nuts about him at 18.
Roddy White-WR-UAB
Strengths: Good vertical threat at 6'1 with 4.45 speed. Mel Kiper, JR. is high on him. Good runner after the catch.
Weaknesses: Same as Williamson ahs trouble running routes. He also lacks a real quick first two steps, not very good for a receiver.
Overall: Home run potential, and not that different from Williamson. So my feelings on him, you can probably guess.
posted by Stew at 9:10 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home