Too Early Draft Stuff

In an effort to try and decompress from the Minnesota Vikings thrilling win over the Buffalo Bills, I took a look at some rankings for the 2023 NFL Draft. In particular, I was looking at the midseason big board of the Athletic’s Dane Bugler. I try to refrain from looking at draft stuff before the Vikings wrap up their season. It’s a process. I had to get my mind off of the ups and downs, mostly ups, of the wild, final 17 minutes of Sunday’s game. Even if it was only for a few minutes. Anyway, I like Bugler. I like his takes. So, I usually turn to him when I’m looking for draft stuff. 

Some highlights from Dane Bugler’s Midseason Big Board.

No quarterbacks until #3. There are two in the Top 10. 

1. Will Anderson, Jr., Edge, Alabama

2. Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

3. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

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10. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Obviously, it depends on which teams are selecting at the top of the 2023 NFL Draft. It’s likely that the quarterbacks are the top two picks. If a team doesn’t have a franchise quarterback, that team is looking for a franchise quarterback. Today’s football is all about the quarterback. Will Anderson, Jr. is universally considered the best player in this draft. Quarterbacks will probably push him to the third or fourth pick. The team that gets Anderson, no matter where they get him, will be a very lucky team.

The trenches are well-represented in Bugler’s Top 10.

Will Anderson, Jr., Edge, Alabama

Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Playmakers?

After Bryce Young, the top playmaker is surprising. That playmaker is Texas running back Bijan Robinson at #8. It’s been a while since a running back was taken in the top half of the draft, let alone the Top 10. The top receiver is TCU receiver Quentin Johnston at #17. USC receiver Jordan Addison is #18. Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer is #16. Bugler has two quarterbacks, a running back, and a tight end before his first receiver. 

In recent years, receivers have heavily peppered the first two rounds of drafts. There are only six in Bugler’s current Top 50. There are also five quarterbacks, four running backs, and three tight ends. 18 offensive playmakers. The offensive line and defense make up the bulk of Bugler’s current Top 50. 

Army has a top prospect! Edge rusher Andre Carter II is #38. 

If I were to be so bold as to select my Vikings Dream Picks, the top might look something like this:

Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

Joey Porter, Jr., CB, Penn State

Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

Zach Harrison, Edge, Ohio State

BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU

That’s very defensive. It’s still so early but this draft reflects that. With an 8-1 record through ten weeks, it isn’t likely that any of those players will be within reach of the Vikings. 

Now, back to thinking about last Sunday’s thrilling game and next Sunday’s Dallas Cowboys game.