Friday, January 25, 2013

Early Draft Thoughts

Unless you are a fan of the San Francisco 49ers or Baltimore Ravens you can't help but have some thoughts about the NFL Draft. A lot can change between now and April 25th. A lot will change. A lot could change this week with the Senior Bowl practices. I've been thinking about the Minnesota Vikings draft possibilities since their playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers a couple of weeks ago. Partly due to Vikings position needs but mostly due to their football talents, I've been drawn to Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree and Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins. It'sjust a hunch. The Vikings do need to bring in a middle linebacker that can drop into coverage more naturally. Ogletree was a safety early in his college career so he has better pass coverage skills than most linebackers. Those skills might get him drafted much earlier the Vikings 23rd selection in the first round. Receiver is the Vikings most obvious need. While this draft may not have the top level receiving talent of some previous drafts it's very deep at the position. The Vikings could fill other needs like linebacker and defensive tackle with that first pick and find talented receivers later. If Cal receiver Keenan Allen is still on the board at 23, the Vikings should sprint to the podium. It's more likely that a player like Hopkins is available and I think that he'd be an excellent selection. Or Ogletree. Or a cornerback. Maybe a cornerback...

Things will most certainly change but the following would be a fantastic start to the draft:
1. Alec Ogletree  LB Georgia
2. Quenton Patton WR Lousiana Tech
3. Sylvester Williams DT North Carolina

Or:
1. DeAndre Hopkins WR Clemson
2. John Jenkins DT Georgia
3. Keith Pough LB Howard

So many options. This one would be a dream:
1. Keenan Allen WR Cal
2. Kevin Minter LB LSU
3. Brandon Williams DT Missouri Southern St.

It's really getting started now.

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