Final Draft Recap-Vikings
After the draft the Vikings made a couple of nice FA signings.
I really like the signing of Hank Baskett-WR New Mexico. Baskett is 6-3 won the state championship in the high jump, is physical at 225 pounds. Baskett has big hands, a great work ethic. A high character player. Why Baskett wasn't drafted was because although he has decent speed, he does not accelerate off the line of scrimmage fast. Baskett was in Mel Kiper's JR's top 25 seniors earlier this year.
I also like the signing of Charles Gordon- DB/WR Kansas is a terrific athelete with great ball skills. He is a great fit for the Cover 2 D. He has good quickness and leaping ability. Gordon is also a very good returner. He lacks speed techinque, and awareness at the DB position. But was considered a player before the season with All-American Potential.
Taurean Henderson of Texas Tech-RB- is maybe the most productive receiver out of the backfield in this class with 303 catches and 69 career td's. He has good quickness, running skills, and insticts to contribute as a 3rd down Rb and return man at the pro level. His lack of size and strength are what knocked him off the board.
Also keep an eye on Barrick Nealy of SW Texas State a good athelete who at 6-4 will either be tried at QB, or maybe transition to WR. Wendell Mathis ran for 1300 yards at Fresno State this past season with the vision and strength to compete for an NFL roster spot.
The Vikings also singed P John Torp who has the biggest leg for punters in the draft with good directional skills to provide insurance for Chris Kluwe.
So with all this what do I give the Vikings. I gave them a C- yesterday. They feel Artis Hicks will be the starting RG, and Chad Greenway the starting WLB. The Hicks trade was fine, along with the first two picks. While the Ryan Cook pick makes sense due to their need for power inside after last year, he was graded way down on draft boards. Tavaris Jackson although talented doesn't seem to be the type of player you pick as high as you do. Ray Edwards, I just don't see where he fits. The only way I see Greg Blue fitting in is on special teams, or as a third string SS, which no team really keeps.
This is why the grade of C- seems apt, though I like thier free agent class this is to evaluate the draft grade. The one thing I will say in the Vikings Defense is that they seem to shifted their strategy from the Dennis Green/Mike Tice model of taking the best player avalible to the New England model of targeting a limited number of players you think fits your system. So while Arizona will recieve high draft marks, it is New England who with their draft board of 50 players wins Super Bowls.
I really like the signing of Hank Baskett-WR New Mexico. Baskett is 6-3 won the state championship in the high jump, is physical at 225 pounds. Baskett has big hands, a great work ethic. A high character player. Why Baskett wasn't drafted was because although he has decent speed, he does not accelerate off the line of scrimmage fast. Baskett was in Mel Kiper's JR's top 25 seniors earlier this year.
I also like the signing of Charles Gordon- DB/WR Kansas is a terrific athelete with great ball skills. He is a great fit for the Cover 2 D. He has good quickness and leaping ability. Gordon is also a very good returner. He lacks speed techinque, and awareness at the DB position. But was considered a player before the season with All-American Potential.
Taurean Henderson of Texas Tech-RB- is maybe the most productive receiver out of the backfield in this class with 303 catches and 69 career td's. He has good quickness, running skills, and insticts to contribute as a 3rd down Rb and return man at the pro level. His lack of size and strength are what knocked him off the board.
Also keep an eye on Barrick Nealy of SW Texas State a good athelete who at 6-4 will either be tried at QB, or maybe transition to WR. Wendell Mathis ran for 1300 yards at Fresno State this past season with the vision and strength to compete for an NFL roster spot.
The Vikings also singed P John Torp who has the biggest leg for punters in the draft with good directional skills to provide insurance for Chris Kluwe.
So with all this what do I give the Vikings. I gave them a C- yesterday. They feel Artis Hicks will be the starting RG, and Chad Greenway the starting WLB. The Hicks trade was fine, along with the first two picks. While the Ryan Cook pick makes sense due to their need for power inside after last year, he was graded way down on draft boards. Tavaris Jackson although talented doesn't seem to be the type of player you pick as high as you do. Ray Edwards, I just don't see where he fits. The only way I see Greg Blue fitting in is on special teams, or as a third string SS, which no team really keeps.
This is why the grade of C- seems apt, though I like thier free agent class this is to evaluate the draft grade. The one thing I will say in the Vikings Defense is that they seem to shifted their strategy from the Dennis Green/Mike Tice model of taking the best player avalible to the New England model of targeting a limited number of players you think fits your system. So while Arizona will recieve high draft marks, it is New England who with their draft board of 50 players wins Super Bowls.
posted by Stew at 10:25 PM
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