All-Remaining Free Agents Team

This is a great exercise when there's still a month until the NFL Draft. Picking a football from the players that have yet to sign with an NFL team. It's actually the brilliant idea of Around the NFL's Dan Hanzus. He calls his team "the Greybeards." My team is less cleverly referred to as the All-Remaining Free Agent Team.

Offense

WR	Michael Floyd
T	Ryan Clady
G	Jahri Evans
C	Nick Mangold
G	Chris Chester
T	King Dunlap
TE	Larry Donnell
WR	Anquan Boldin
QB	Colin Kaepernick
RB	Adrian Peterson
RB	Jamaal Charles

Defense

DE	Mario Williams
DT	Jonathan Hankins
DT	Jared Odrick
DE	Dwight Freeney
LB	DeAndre Levy
LB	Zach Brown
LB	Gerald Hodges
CB	Darrelle Revis
CB	Leon Hall
S	Jairus Byrd
S	Lardarius Webb

This will be a running team. No punting or field goal attempts.

This team might win a game or two. There are some terrific players. Adrian Peterson and Darrelle Revis will be honored in Canton five years after they retire. Arguments can be made that Nick Mangold, Anquan Boldin, and Dwight Freeney should join them. Many on the team are past their best days, that's why they're still unsigned, but I have faith that they still have some gas in the tank. Maybe they'll get the chance to continue their football careers soon.

Update: Moments after seeing his presence on this team guard Chris Chester retired. 

Throwback Thursday: A Look Back At The 2015 Flea Flicker Mock Draft

Last week I looked at last year's final Flea Flicker Mock. That was fun. Why not take a look at the final Flea Flicker Mock of 2015?

1.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jameis Winston, QB, Florida St.
2.   Tennessee Titans-Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
3.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida
4.   Oakland Raiders-Leonard Williams, DT, USC
5.   Washington Redskins-Vic Beasley, LB/DE, Clemson
6.   New York Jets-Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
7.   Chicago Bears-Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8.   Atlanta Falcons-Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
9.   New York Giants-Brandon Scherff, T, Iowa
10. St. Louis Rams-Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
11. Minnesota Vikings-Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
12. Cleveland Browns-DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
13. New Orleans Saints-Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
14. Miami Dolphins-Melvin Gordon, RB, Michigan
15. San Francisco 49ers-Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
16. Houston Texans-Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
17. San Diego Chargers-D.J. Humphries, T, Florida
18. Kansas City Chiefs-Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
19. Cleveland Browns-Randy Gregory, LB/DE, Nebraska
20. Philadelphia Eagles-Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
21. Cincinnati Bengals-Andrus Peat, T, Stanford
22. Pittsburgh Steelers-Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
23. Detroit Lions-D.J. Humphries, T, Florida
24. Arizona Cardinals-Ereck Flowers, T, Miami
25. Carolina Panthers-La'el Collins, T, LSU
26. Baltimore Ravens-Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona St.
27. Dallas Cowboys-Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
28. Denver Broncos-Cameron Erving, C, Florida St.
29. Indianapolis Colts-Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
30. Green Bay Packers-Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
31. New Orleans Saints-Eli Harold, LB, Virginia
32. New England Patriots-Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut

For reference, here's the real thing.

1.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jameis Winston, QB, Florida St.
2.   Tennessee Titans-Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
3.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida
4.   Oakland Raiders-Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
5.   Washington Redskins-Brandon Scherff, T, Iowa
6.   New York Jets-Leonard Williams, DT, USC
7.   Chicago Bears-Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
8.   Atlanta Falcons-Vic Beasley, LB/DE, Clemson
9.   New York Giants-Ereck Flowers, T, Miami
10. St. Louis Rams-Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
11. Minnesota Vikings-Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
12. Cleveland Browns-Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
13. New Orleans Saints-Andrus Peat, T, Stanford
14. Miami Dolphins-DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
15. San Diego Chargers-Melvin Gordon, RB, Michigan
16. Houston Texans-Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
17. San Francisco 49ers-Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
18. Kansas City Chiefs-Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
19. Cleveland Browns-Cameron Erving, C, Florida State
20. Philadelphia Eagles-Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
21. Cincinnati Bengals-Cedric Ogbuehi, T, Texas A&M
22. Pittsburgh Steelers-Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
23. Denver Broncos-Shane Ray, LB, Missouri
24. Arizona Cardinals-D.J. Humphries, T, Florida
25. Carolina Panthers-Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
26. Baltimore Ravens-Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
27. Dallas Cowboys-Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
28. Detroit Lions-Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke
29. Indianapolis Colts-Philip Dorsett, WR, Miami
30. Green Bay Packers-Damarious Randall, S, Arizona State
31. New Orleans Saints-Stephone Anthony, LB, Clemson
32. New England Patriots-Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

I had a lot of misses. The two quarterbacks at the top of the draft were a given. If I recall correctly Dante Fowler, Jr. to the Jacksonville Jaguars at #3 wasn't a challenge to predict either. The one prediction that I might brag about was the Philadelphia Eagles selection of Nelson Agholor with the 20th pick. For nearly all of the long draft analysis season I had the Minnesota Vikings selecting Trae Waynes at #11. I got cold feet at press time and switched to Marcus Peters.

Of my 28 misses, predicting LSU offensive lineman La'el Collins in the first round was my biggest miss. He wasn't drafted at all. His fall out of the draft wasn't talent-based. He fell out of the draft because he was called in for questioning in a murder case about a week before the draft. It never sounded like the questioning was ever more than a formality but it was enough to make 32 teams nervous about selecting him, at least in the early rounds. When it became clear to Collins that his draft fall would be significant he told teams that it would be in their best interest to not draft him at all. He wanted the freedom of choice that comes with being an undrafted free agent.

My other first round misses were Jalen Collins, Jaelen Strong, Jordan Phillips, and Eli Harold. Collins and Phillips "fell" to the second round. Strong and Harold were third round picks.

Looking back at past mock drafts is a humbling thing to do. Fun but humbling. Anybody so bold as to attempt a mock can get a feeling a superiority. Mockers get a feeling that they know what's best for each team. We really don't have a clue. The whole thing is a crapshoot. For the amateurs and the professionals. No one knows how these players will handle their shot.

New Rules, Bylaws, and Resolution

The NFL's owners spent the first day of their Annual Meeting voting to yank the Oakland Raiders from their fans. They spent the second day of the meetings voting on proposed rules, bylaws, and resolutions. The following rules, bylaws, and resolution were adopted.

Approved 2017 Playing Rules Proposals

-Prohibits a defensive player from leaping over the line to block field goal and extra point attempts.

-Makes permanent the rule that disqualifies a player who is penalized twice in one game for certain types of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

-Keeps in place the change of the spot of a touchback after the kickoff to the 25-yard line for the 2017 season.

-Gives a receiver running a pass route defenseless player protection.

-Makes crackback blocks by a backfield player who is in motion, even if he is not more than two yards outside the tackle when the ball is snapped.

-Replaces the sideline replay monitor with a hand-held device and authorizes designated members of the Officiating department to make the final decision on replay reviews.

-Makes it Unsportsmanlike Conduct to commit multiple fouls during the same down designed to manipulate the game clock.

-Makes actions to conserve time illegal after the two-minute warning of either half.

Approved 2017 Bylaw Proposals 

-Liberalizes rules for timing, testing, and administering physical examinations to draft-eligible players at a club's facility for one year only.

-Changes the procedure for returning a player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness to the Active List to be similar to those for returning a player that was Designated for Return.

-The League office will transmit a Personnel Notice to clubs on Sundays during training camp and preseason.

Approved 2017 Resolution Proposal

-Permits a contract or non-contract non-football employee to interview with and be hired by another club during the playing season, provided the employer club has consented.

***

New Rules Thoughts

The Seattle Seahawks are likely miffed that Kam Chancellor and Bobby Wagner will no longer be allowed to hurdle the line for a quick route to block kicks. That's too bad. Teams were probably going to start upending these leapers in mid-leap to keep them from easy blocks. That would likely result in a head-first fall from a height of 7-8 feet. That's not good for anyone.

Offensive linemen and their coaches won't like it but it might be best if the NFL outlaws all crackback blocks. First of all, it's dangerous. Second of all, the league is headed that way anyway. It feels like it's each year that they make crackback blocks illegal on another spot of the field or in another situation. At the current pace all of these blocks will soon be illegal. Just jump to a football world with no crackback blocks.

The replay change is a little puzzling. If the final replay decisions are going to be made in New York why do they need to view it on the field with the monitor or a hand-held device? Is the hand-held device just for show as another advertising money stream? I pick that one. More money from Microsoft. The NFL is all about another buck.

I need to see the rule changes that impact the game clock in action. It sounds like the quarterback grounding the football to stop the clock and players running out of bounds to do the same are going to be illegal.

Bye Bye Oakland

The Oakland Raiders are moving to Las Vegas. It's a damn shame.

Yesterday at the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, the NFL's 32 owners voted 31-1 to approve the Raiders' proposal to relocate to Las Vegas. The team that's only a team because the Minnesota Vikings' sudden switch from the AFL to the NFL is on the move for the third time since their inception in 1960. The Raiders moved to Los Angeles in 1982. They moved back to Oakland in 1995. Now they are free to move to Las Vegas. At least this time the move has been overwhelmingly endorsed by the NFL. The only vote against was cast by the Miami Dolphins. They must still be pissed by the "Sea of Hands" game.

The soon to be Las Vegas Raiders already have funding in place for a stadium. A sparkling new domed stadium is expected to be ready by the 2020 NFL season. That's what made the move possible. The Raiders will play in Oakland this season and will have a contract option to play there in 2018. That could make for an uncomfortable/very sad two seasons. They will apparently have to find a temporary home for the 2019 season.

It's always a terribly sad day to see professional sports teams bolt from the fans that love them. This is the third NFL relocation in about a year. The Rams left St. Louis for Los Angeles. The Chargers left San Diego for Los Angeles. Now the Raiders will be leaving for Las Vegas. It's interesting that all three teams on the move once called Los Angeles home. Two of them returned there. As a Minnesota Vikings fan it was tough to deal with the threat of my team moving. These franchise moves are always about new stadiums. The Vikings' owners had been fighting for decades to get funding for a new stadium. It was a such a fight that Red McCombs decided to sell the team rather than continue it. The Wilf family bought the team in 2005 and picked up the stadium fight. The Metrodome was made on the cheap and outdated the moment that it opened in 1982. It was a dump and a hazard by the turn of the century. The dome had to be replaced if the Vikings were to remain in Minnesota. The threat of that move was tiresome and frightening. Fortunately for the fans the Wilf's stuck with the fight and public funding was finally passed in 2012. Raiders owner Mark Davis clearly grew tired of the fight and the fight his father fought for decades. I definitely didn't follow the Raiders stadium quest as closely as I followed that of the Vikings but it just felt like Davis was more committed to moving than staying. Part of that could be due to what looked like an ambivalent stand by the decision-makers of Oakland. They didn't seem to care whether the Raiders stayed until it was obvious that Davis was committed to moving. Even then their attempts were half-hearted, at best. Davis and the politicians never showed much interest in working together. There has to be a committed interest on both parties to get a stadium deal done. Maybe the Raiders and the city of Oakland could have agreed on an effort to spiffy up the existing stadium. Even that left a problem as the Raiders shared their home with the Oakland A's. Gone are the days when an NFL team and a MLB team shared a stadium. It's ludicrous to play football into October on a field with a dirt baseball diamond in the middle of it. One of the two teams needed a new home and it was the Raiders that wanted one. Stadium construction is a controversial issue and I can see both sides. The thing that those against have to realize is that if they don't want to help chip in on the cost of a stadium they aren't going to have a team. Despite what most people think footing the bill on a billion dollar stadium isn't something that most NFL owners can afford. And Mark Davis is on the low end of the NFL owner money scale. He didn't get any of the wealth that he might have from a lucrative day job. He inherited a team that his father somehow finagled into his own. They are one of the only NFL families that didn't start their football lives already rich. Davis needed a lot of help to finance a new stadium and Oakland never offered much. Las Vegas offered a lot.

The only people that truly lose in the relocation of a franchise is the fans. The team gets a spectacular new stadium. The new city gets a football team. The old city and the fans that live there get nothing. That sort of loss can do some damage. It probably shouldn't in a grand scheme of things sort of way but it does.

"I have mixed feelings."-Mark Davis

I don't know. Yanking a team from fans doesn't show much but Davis was forced to do something.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that he never wants to see relocation of a franchise. I believe that anything that makes money is what he wants to see. It's always about the money and rarely about the fans. Mark Davis and especially the NFL and Goodell showed again that new stadiums are more important than the fans.

Flea Flicker 2nd 50 Draft Prospects

When it comes to NFL Draft talk all of the talking is about the top of the draft. What about that next group of prospects. The football players that are likely to be selected in the second round and later. Since the Minnesota Vikings aren't scheduled to be on the clock until pick #48 the next group is the one that interests me the most. So here's the Flea Flicker 2nd 50 Draft Prospects.

51.   Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State

52.   Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut

53.   DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State

54.   Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt

55.   Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State

56.   Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland

57.   Chidobe Awuze, CB, Colorado

58.   Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

59.   Dan Feeney, G, Indiana

60.   Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi
61.   Taylor Moton, T, Western Michigan
62.   Dion Dawkins, G, Temple

63.   Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn
64.   JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
65.   Desmond King, CB, Iowa
66.   Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida
67.   Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan
68.   Antonio Garcia, T, Troy
69.   Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Charlotte
70.   Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
71.   Davis Webb, QB, Cal
72.   Josh Jones, S, North Carolina State
73.   D'onta Foreman, Rb, Texas
74.   Roderick Johnson, T, Florida State
75.   Tarrell Basham, DE, Ohio
76.   Marcus Maye, S, Florida
77.   Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
78.   Elijah Qualls, DT, Washington
79.   Jermaine Eluemunor, T, Texas A&M
80.   Cordea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
81.   Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State
82.   Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson
83.   Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova
84.   Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State
85.   George Kittle, TE, Iowa
86.   Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
87.   Ethan Pocic, C, LSU
88.   Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
89.   Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
90.   Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
91.   Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State
94.   Dorian Johnson, G, Pittsburgh
93.   Duke Riley, LB, LSU
94.   Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson
95.   Tyus Bowser, LB, Houston
96.   Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo
97.   Isaac Asiata, G, Utah
98.   Tyler Orlosky, C, West Virginia
99.   Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech
100. Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami

Flea Flicker Top 50 Draft Prospects

This is mostly an exercise to better familiarize myself with the prospects at the top of the draft. Seeing as the Minnesota Vikings don't pick until #48 maybe a better exercise would be a Flea Flicker 2nd 50 Draft Prospects.

1.   Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2.   Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
3.   Rueben Foster, LB, Alabama
4.   Jamal Adams, S, LSU
5.   Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
6.   Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
7.   Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama
8.   Sidney Jones, CB, Washington*
9.   O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
10. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida Stat
11. Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
12. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
13. Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
14. Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
15. John Ross, WR, Washington
16. David Njoku, TE, Miami
17. Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
18. Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
19. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
20. Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
21. Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
22. DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
23. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
24. Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky
25. Budda Baker, S, Washington
26. DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
27. Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
28. Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
29. Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
30. Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
31. Garrett Bolles, T, Utah
32. Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
33. Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
34. Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
35. T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
36. Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
37. Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
38. Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washingron
39. Adoree'Jackson, CB, USC
40. Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama
41. Marcus Williams, S, Utah
42. Tim Williams, LB, Alabama
43. Cam Robinson, T, Alabama
44. Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
45. Ryan Anderson, LB, Alabama
46. Kevin King, CB, Washington
47. Chad Hansen, WR, Cal
48. Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA*
49. Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida
50. Curtis Samuel, RB, Ohio State

*-Cornerbacks Sidney Jones and Fabian Moreau were injured during their respective Pro Days. Those injuries might/will drop them in the draft but it doesn't change their status as Top 50 prospects. Jones might be the best corner in this draft. The team drafting him, perhaps as late as the third round, will have to wait for him but the wait should be worth it.

Mike Mayock's New NFL Draft Position Rankings

NFL Network's Mike Mayock released his new NFL Draft position rankings earlier this week. Mayock's one of the best draft analysts so his rankings are always an informative and fun viewing.

Quarterback

1. DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
2. Deshaun Watson, Clemson
3. Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina
4. Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech
5. Davis Webb, California

Running Back

1. Leonard Fournette, LSU
2. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
3. Dalvin Cook, Florida State
4. Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
5. Samaje Perine, Oklahoma

Rise: Fournette (2), McCaffrey (3), Perine (NR)
Fall: Cook (1), Joe Mixon, Oklahoma (5, added to special exceptions)

Wide receiver

1. Corey Davis, Western Michigan
2. Mike Williams, Clemson
3. John Ross, Washington
4. Zay Jones, East Carolina
T-5. Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
T-5. JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC

Rise: Jones (5), Smith-Schuster (NR)
Fall: Kupp (4),

Tight end

1. O.J. Howard, Alabama
2. David Njoku, Miami
3. Evan Engram, Ole Miss
4. Gerald Everett, South Alabama
5. George Kittle, Iowa

Rise: Everett (5), Kittle (NR)
Fall: Jake Butt, Michigan (4, added to special exceptions)

Offensive tackle

1. Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
2. Garett Bolles, Utah
3. Antonio Garcia, Troy
4. Roderick Johnson, Florida State
T-5. Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
T-5. Jermaine Eluemunor, Texas A&M

Interior OL

1. Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
2. Cam Robinson, Alabama
3. Dan Feeney, Indiana
4. Dion Dawkins, Temple
T-5. Ethan Pocic, LSU
T-5. Pat Elflein, Ohio State

Rise: Dawkins (5), Elflein (NR)
Fall: Pocic (4)

Interior DL

1. Jonathan Allen, Alabama
2. Caleb Brantley, Florida
3. Malik McDowell, Michigan State
4. Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte
5. Chris Wormley, Michigan

Edge rusher

1. Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
2. Solomon Thomas, Stanford
3. Derek Barnett, Tennessee
4. Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
5. Tim Williams, Alabama

Rise: Thomas (4), McKinley (5)
Fall: Williams (2)

Linebacker

1. Reuben Foster, Alabama
2. Haason Reddick, Temple
3. Jarrad Davis, Florida
4. Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
5. Alex Anzalone, Florida

Rise: Davis (4)
Fall: Cunningham (3)

Cornerback

1. Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
2. Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
3. Kevin King, Washington
4. Gareon Conley, Ohio State
5. Fabian Moreau, UCLA

Rise: Lattimore (2), Humphrey (3), King (NR), Conley (NR), Moreau (NR)
Fall: Sidney Jones, Washington (1, added to special exceptions), Teez Tabor, Florida (4), Tre'Davious White, LSU (5)

Nickel

1. Budda Baker, Washington
2. Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado
3. Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
4. Desmond King, Iowa
5. Damontae Kazee, San Diego State

Safety

1. Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
2. Jamal Adams, LSU
3. Malik Hooker, Ohio State
4. Obi Melifonwu, Connecticut
T-5. Marcus Williams, Utah
T-5. Marcus Maye, Florida

Rise: Peppers (3), Melifonwu (5), Williams (NR), Maye (NR)
Fall: Hooker (1) , Budda Baker, Washington (4, added to nickel)

Special exceptions

1. Adoree' Jackson, USC
2. Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
3. Sidney Jones, Washington
4. Jake Butt, Michigan
5. Joe Mixon, Oklahoma

Additions: Jones (previously No. 1 CB), Butt (previously No. 4 TE), Mixon (previously No. 5 RB)
Moved: Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado (3, moved to nickel), Desmond King, Iowa (4, moved to nickel)
Fall: Adam Shaheen, Ashland (5)

"What The Hell's Going On Out Here?"

Vince Lombardi's timeless quote is often perfect for the actions and ideas of NFL chief Roger Goodell. From the ludicrous deflategate investigation and punishment to his belief that he has a clue as to what the fans want, Goodell often governs like a man looking for the glasses that are sitting on his head. In advance of next week's NFL Owners' Meeting, Goodell and the Competition Committee are parading around their annual proposals for tweaking the rules of the game. Several of this year's proposals are intended to streamline the viewing of the games. From centralizing replay reviews to doing something about all the damn commercials, the NFL decision makers want to shorten the game without touching the play on the field. Sounds great. The league is also trotting out a proposed rule change that they say is with the player's safety in mind. That's a stretch. The Competition Committee will propose reducing both preseason and regular season overtimes from 15 minutes to 10 minutes. Postseason games will keep the same 15-minute overtimes. The committee believes that there's a real disadvantage for a team to play a full 15-minute overtime period before having to turn around and play a Thursday night game four days later. The league's decision-makers see this severe turnaround as a competitive disadvantage and a safety risk. Ok.

From NFL Research:

There have been 83 regular season overtime games in the last five seasons.
22 of them (26.5%) featured an overtime period that lasted 10+ minutes.

How many of those 22 games included a team that had a Thursday night game later that week? Probably very few. This proposed rule change impacts so few games that it's kinda nutty that it actually made it past the discussion stage. I can't help but think that it's simply window dressing. Something to show that the NFL actually cares about the well-being of the players. If they truly cared about player safety they'd simply get rid of the Thursday night games. Those games have always put money over the risks of playing two NFL games in four days. It really is amazing that Goodell and the boys would even consider a rule change that's so unlikely to happen. Even if it did happen, how are five minutes of game time putting a team at a competitive disadvantage four days later?

"What the hell's going on out here?"

I do like the idea that the NFL might do away with those asinine commercial breaks following a kickoff. A teams scores a touchdown and kicks the extra point. Go to a commercial. Come back for the kickoff. Go to a commercial. Why? It's enough to take ten years off the life of a serious football fan. The NFL is looking to streamline the games and eliminating one of those commercial breaks after a score is one of their ideas. That's a good idea. Maybe Goodell really does have his fingers on the pulse of the fans. Imagine that.

Throwback Thursday: 2016 Flea Flicker Mock Draft

Mock Drafts are a look forward. Once the real draft has passed mock drafts are tossed. Likely forgotten. How about a look back at the final Flea Flicker Mock Draft of 2016?

1.   Los Angeles Rams-Jared Goff, QB, Cal
2.   Philadelphia Eagles-Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St.
3.   San Diego Chargers-Laremy Tunsil, T, Mississippi
4.   Dallas Cowboys-Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida St.
5.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
6.   Baltimore Ravens-Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio St.
7.   San Francisco 49ers-DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
8.   Cleveland Browns-Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio St.
9.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
10. New York Giants-Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame
11. Chicago Bears-Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
12. New Orleans Saints-Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
13. Miami Dolphins-William Jackson III, Houston
14. Oakland Raiders-Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
15. Tennessee Titans-Jack Conklin, T, Michigan St.
16. Detroit Lions-Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi
17. Atlanta Falcons-Darron Lee, LB, Ohio St.
18. Indianapolis Colts-Taylor Decker, T, Ohio St.
19. Buffalo Bills-Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
20. New York Jets-Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
21. Washington Redskins-A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
22. Houston Texans-Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
23. Minnesota Vikings-Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
24. Cincinnati Bengals-Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
25. Pittsburgh Steelers-Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
26. Seattle Seahawks-Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi
27. Green Bay Packers-Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
28. Kansas City Chiefs-Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
29. Arizona Cardinals-Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
30. Carolina Panthers-Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

31. Denver Broncos-Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi St.

For reference, here's the actual draft.

1.   Los Angeles Rams-Jared Goff, QB, Cal

2.   Philadelphia Eagles-Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St.

3.   San Diego Chargers-Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

4.   Dallas Cowboys-Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

5.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State

6.   Baltimore Ravens-Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame

7.   San Francisco 49ers-DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

8.   Tennessee Titans-Jack Conklin, T, Michigan St

9.   Chicago Bears-Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia

10. New York Giants-Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

12. New Orleans Saints-Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

13. Miami Dolphins-Laremy Tunsil, T, Mississippi

14. Oakland Raiders-Karl Joseph, S, West Viriginia

15. Cleveland Browns-Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

16. Detroit Lions-Taylor Decker, T, Ohio State

17. Atlanta Falcons-Keanu Neal, S, Florida

18. Indianapolis Colts-Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

19. Buffalo Bills-Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

20. New York Jets-Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

21. Houston Texans-Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

22. Washington Redskins-Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

23. Minnesota Vikings-Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi

24. Cincinnati Bengals-William Jackson III, CB, Houston

25. Pittsburgh Steelers-Artie Burns, CB, Miami

26. Denver Broncos-Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

27. Green Bay Packers-Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA

28. San Francisco 49ers-Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford

29. Arizona Cardinals-Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi

30. Carolina Panthers-Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech

31. Seattle Seahawks-Germain Ifedi, T, Texas A&M

I hit on a few but missed wildly on far more.

Right player, right team
Jared Goff
Carson Wentz
Myles Jack
DeForest Buckner
Vernon Hargreaves
Leonard Floyd
Sheldon Rankins
Jack Conklin

Jared Goff and Carson Wentz don't really count. Everyone knew that those quarterbacks were the targets of the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles when they traded up to the top of the draft. The mystery of the 2016 draft started with the third pick and the San Diego Chargers surprised just about everyone with the terrific selection of Joey Bosa. I was right that the Jaguars would select Myles Jack but was way off on when they'd make that selection. Due to injury concerns they were able to grab him with the fifth pick of the second round. Not counting the easy predictions of the quarterbacks, DeForest Buckner and and Sheldon Rankins were the only picks I got right in terms of when and where. The Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers flipped spots in the real draft but still selected the players that I predicted in their new spots. The Bears selected Leonard Floyd earlier than I thought that they would. and the Buccaneers selected Vernon Hargreaves later than I thought that they would. The Tennessee Titans traded up seven spots to insure that they had Jack Conklin. I had them staying put and still getting their tackle.

Not even close
Myles Jack
Reggie Ragland
Jarran Reed
A'Shawn Robinson
Mackensie Alexander
Kevin Dodd
Chris Jones
Andrew Billings

I had all of the above being selected in the first round. None were. That means that there are corresponding number of players that I didn't have as first round picks that were. One could say that I missed badly on 16 players. Or just over half of the first round. I'd rather not look at it that way. All but Andrew Billings were second round picks. I wasn't even close with my expectations of Billings. The Cincinnati Bengals were able to pluck him in the fourth round.

Instead of the misses I prefer to remember my astute predictions for Buckner and Rankins as well as the dedication that the Bears and Buccaneers showed for Floyd and Hargreaves. That's some fine mocking. 

Vikings 53 Man Roster

Here's a possible 53-man roster for the Minnesota Vikings from the players currently on the roster. It's more of a draft need exercise than an actual prediction of the team that will take the field in 2017.

Quarterbacks
Sam Bradford
Teddy Bridgewater
Taylor Heinicke

Running backs
Latavius Murray
Jerick McKinnon
C.J. Ham
Bishop Sankey

Receivers
Stefon Diggs
Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Moritz Boehringer
Isaac Fruechte

Tight ends
Kyle Rudolph
David Morgan
Kyle Carter

Offensive line
Riley Reiff
Alex Boone
Joe Berger
Jeremiah Sirles
Mike Remmers
T.J. Clemmings
Nick Easton
Willie Beavers
Rashod Hill

Defensive line
Everson Griffen
Shariff Floyd
Linval Joseph
Danielle Hunter
Brian Robison
Datone Jones
Tom Johnson
Shamar Stephen
Stephen Weatherly

Linebackers
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Emmanuel Lamur
Kentrell Brothers
Edmond Robinson

Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mackensie Alexander
Terence Newman
Marcus Sherels
Tre Roberson

Safeties
Harrison Smith
Andrew Sendejo
Anthony Harris
Jayron Kearse

Kicker
Kai Forbath

Punter
Taylor Symmank

Long snapper
Kevin McDermott

Draft needs
At a glance defensive line and cornerback look set. Unless a unique defensive lineman or cornerback falls in the Vikings' lap those positions are low draft needs.

QB
If Teddy Brdgewater is miraculously healed from a brutal knee injury and ready for training camp there's no need here. In reality, that's a long shot. As it stands now, the Vikings could head into the season with Sam Bradford starting and Taylor Heinicke backing him. That's putting a lot of faith in the unproven Heinicke. A developmental quarterback is a need.

RB
It wouldn't be a surprise if the Vikings use one of their top picks on a running back. The position is a need for the first time since Adrian Peterson was drafted in 2007.

WR
General receiver depth is a need.

TE
There's a need for another tight end. Perhaps a movement/H-back type to mix and match with Kyle Rudolph and David Morgan.

OL
Despite the addition of tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers in free agency this is the Vikings greatest need. Center and right guard are the biggest questions. It wouldn't be a surprise if two of their top five picks are spent on offensive linemen.

DL
No real need. A nose tackle in the imposing, physical mold of Linval Joseph might be nice.

LB
The Vikings need a linebacker simply for numbers. They typically carry six. The weakside linebacker spot is up for grabs. The starter might be found early in the draft.

CB
There isn't much of a need but a team can never have enough corners.

S
The Vikings could go into the season with what they have but a versatile, play-making safety to pair with Harrison Smith could be enticing.

Vikings draft need priorities
OL
LB
RB
TE
WR
S

Improving the talent level on the offensive line is the Vikings greatest need. The priority of the remaining needs will probably be based more on the players available at each pick. Basically the Vikings can go best player available with each of their pick. As long as they get those linemen. Hopefully they get them early. The talent level of the offensive line has to improve.

The draft is creeping closer. 

Flea Flicker's Top 5 Prospects At Each Position 2.0

The Scouting Combine has happened since the last time that I did this. That shouldn't impact my opinion on prospects but it always drives me to tweak things. The combine and thinking more about the potential of these football players does alter opinions. So, here's a revised Flea Flicker Top 5 Prospects At Each Position.

Quarterbacks
1. DeShaun Watson, Clemson
2. DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
3. Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
4. Davis Webb, Cal
5. Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech

Running backs
1. Dalvin Cook, Florida State
2. Leonard Fournette, LSU
3. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
4. Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
5. D'Onta Foreman, Texas

Wide receivers
1. Corey Davis, Western Michigan
2. Mike Williams, Clemson
3. John Ross, Washington
4. Cooper Krupp, Eastern Washington
5. Chris Godwin, Penn State

Tight ends
1. O.J. Howard, Alabama
2. David Njoku, Miami
3. Evan Engram, Mississippi
4. Jake Butt, Michigan
5. Adam Shaheen, Ashland

Offensive tackles
1. Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
2. Garrett Bolles, Utah
3. Cam Robinson, Alabama
4. Antonio Garcia, Troy
5. Taylor Moton, Western Michigan

Guards
1. Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
2. Dan Feeney, Indiana
3. Dion Dawkins, Temple
4. Isaac Asiata, Utah
5. Dorian Johnson, Pittsburgh

Centers
1. Ethan Pocic, LSU
2. Pat Elflein, Ohio State
3. Tyler Orlosky, Pittsburgh
4. Kyle Fuller, Baylor
5. Jon Toth, Kentucky

Defensive ends
1. Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
2. Solomon Thomas, Stanford
3. Taco Charlton, Michigan
4. Derek Barnett, Tennessee
5. Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

Defensive tackles
1. Jonathan Allen, Alabama
2. Caleb Brantley, Florida
3. Elijah Qualls, Washington
4. Malik McDowell, Michigan State
5. Carlos Watkins, Clemson

Outside linebackers
1. Hasson Reddick, Temple
2. Tim Williams, Alabama
3. Ryan Anderson, Alabama
4. T.J. Watt, Wisconsin
5. Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt

Inside linebackers
1. Rueben Foster, Alabama
2. Jarrad Davis, Florida
3. Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
4. Alex Anzalone, Florida
5. Kendell Beckwith, LSU

Cornerbacks
1. Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
2. Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
3. Quincy Wilson, Florida
4. Gareon Conley, Ohio State
5. Teez Tabor, Florida
Washington's Sidney Jones might be the best corner in the draft. An injury during his workout dropped him from the above group but a team might take a chance on him. Perhaps as early as the second round.

Safeties
1. Malik Hooker, Ohio State
2. Jamal Adams, LSU
3. Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
4. Budda Baker, Washington
5. Marcus Williams, Utah

A Look At The Vikings Defense

And now for a pre-draft look at the defense of the Minnesota Vikings.

*-projected starters

Defensive line
*Everson Griffen
*Sharrif Floyd
*Linval Joseph
*Danielle Hunter
Brian Robison
Datone Jones
Shamar Stpehen
Tom Johnson
Stephen Weatherly
B.J. DuBose
Toby Johnson
Sterling Bailey

This is the strongest position group on the Vikings. Great starters and terrific depth. Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter are one of the best end combos in the league. Hunter is entering his third year in the league and just scratching the surface of his ridiculous potential and talent. Head coach Mike Zimmer said last year that Hunter could soon be the best player on this very talented defense. And he's only 22. Over the last two years Linval Joseph has emerged as one of the best nose tackles in the league. The biggest question mark of the defensive line group is Sharrif Floyd. When healthy he's a disruptive force in the middle of the line. The problem is that he's not healthy often enough. He missed all but one game last season. He missed blocks of games in previous seasons. If he can't stay on the field in 2017 it's likely to be his last season in Minnesota. Brian Robison has been a long-time starter at right defensive end. He'd probably continue being the starter if not for the presence of Hunter. It's the kid's time. The Vikings terrific depth on the defensive line starts now with Robison and continues with Tom Johnson, Shamar Stephen and the free agency addition of Datone Jones. Johnson has been excellent as an interior rusher in passing situations. He's also lessened the impact of the injury absences of Floyd. Johnson can be effective as a starter but he's at his best as a situational pass rusher. Stephen started in place of Floyd last season. He boosted the run defense but didn't provide much as a pass rusher. He's more of a nose tackle in the Vikings defense and seen more as Joseph's relief than starting next to him. Jones is a nice addition. He can play both end and tackle and might even wrestle a starting spot away from Floyd. Stephen Weatherly is a raw, talented athlete. If he can become the football player that the Vikings imagine he can be the defensive line depth goes from terrific to ridiculous. There would have to be a truly special player available for the Vikings to draft another defensive lineman. Perhaps a player in the 6'4" 325 lb mold of Joseph.

Linebackers
*Anthony Barr
*Eric Kendricks
*Emmanuel Lamur
Edmond Robinson
Kentrell Brothers

The one certainty of the Vikings linebackers is that Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks are on the field for every snap. With the end of the great career of Chad Greenway the Vikings linebackers have become Barr, Kendricks and the rest. That's not fair to the other three on the roster but it's pretty much the case. With passing being the preferred means of moving the football the Vikings are in a nickel defense about 2/3 of the time. That means that more often than not Barr and Kendricks are the only linebackers on the field. Emmanuel Lamur, Edmond Robinson, and Kentrell Brothers are promising players. I believe that each can start if needed. Lamur and Robinson have started games. Brothers was a rookie last season and shined on special teams. When he was drafted I thought that he could eventually be the Vikings starting middle linebacker with Kendricks moving to the weak side. Zimmer has been so impressed with Kendricks' play in the middle that I don't see that as an option. That leaves an opening on the weak side. The Vikings will look there early in the draft. With only five linebackers currently on the roster they could look at the position often in the draft.

Cornerbacks
*Xavier Rhodes
*Trae Waynes
Terence Newman
Mackensie Alexander
Marcus Sherels
Tre Roberson
Jabari Price

It doesn't seem like it was all that long that the Vikings were starting a converted receiver (Robert Tate) at cornerback. Those were some dark days. There was a void at the position for a long time. There's talent and depth at corner now. Xavier Rhodes has emerged as one of the best corners in the game. Trae Waynes was the Vikings first round draft pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Since then he's sat, learned from the coaching of secondary coach Jerry Gray and Zimmer, and readied himself for the NFL. Some have called Waynes a bust since he's spent most of the past two years on the bench. The Vikings could've thrown him in right away and let him learn on the job but they didn't have to do that. They had Terence Newman. He'll turn 39 before the start of the 2017 season but he's still playing great. Newman has played for Zimmer in Dallas, Cincinnati, and now approaches his third season in Minnesota with his old coach. It's great to have Newman back but now is Waynes' time. Rhodes and Waynes could form one of the best young corner combos in the league. The Vikings lost nickel corner Captain Munnerlyn in free agency. On paper, in March, it looks like the nickel job might come down to a competition between the ageless Newman and feisty second-year corner Mackensie Alexander. The Vikings might add a corner specifically to play corner but I'd like to see Alexander get on the field. Marcus Sherels has earned a nice niche in the NFL as a punt returner. He might have to prove that he can do more than that to stick with the team, But people have been saying that for years. You can't count out Marcus Sherels. Tre Roberson might be one of the more intriguing players on the roster. Intriguing because I'm not so sure anyone truly knows what they have in him. He played quarterback in college but the Vikings offered him a tryout as a corner. They liked his potential enough to sign him last spring and keep him on the practice squad through the 2016 season. He's a terrific athlete with potential. Rhodes, Waynes, Newman, and Alexander are locks for the roster. Sherels is one of the best punt returners in the league. That could earn him a spot. That might leave one spot available. The Vikings don't have a great need at the position which is a far cry from the dark days of Tate starting games. But you can never have enough corners so it wouldn't be a surprise if the Vikings add another in the draft or before.

Safeties
*Harrison Smith
*Andrew Sendejo
Jayron Kearse
Anthony Harris
Antone Exum, Jr.

Harrison Smith is one of the best, most versatile safeties in the league. The Vikings have been trying to find a versatile safety to pair with him for the past few years. Andrew Sendejo is a solid football player. It took his missing some playing time last season to realize how valuable his steady play really is. The Vikings ideal safety situation would be a more versatile player paired with Smith. The thing that stands out about Jayron Kearse is his ridiculous height. 6'4". When he stands next to the other safeties he looks even taller than that. Zimmer might see another George Iloka in Kearse. That would be a nice development. Anthony Harris is a heady player. Antone Exum, Jr. might be the best athlete of the entire position group. The ideal safety to pair next to Smith would be a combination of the other four. The Vikings have an interesting safety group. Sendejo is solid enough and the depth has enough potential that safety isn't a great need in the draft. The quest for a versatile safety to pair next to Smith could prompt the Vikings to select a safety as early as their second round pick. It's a very good draft for safeties.

Special Teams

Kicker
Kai Forbath
Marshall Koehn

Punter
Taylor Symmank

Long snapper
Kevin McDermott

Kick returner
Marcus Sherels

Punt returner
Marcus Sherels

Kai Forbath was a midseason replacement for Blair Walsh. Taylor Symmank was signed in January to compete with Jeff Locke this summer. Locke bolted for the Indianapolis Colts in free agency. Forbath and Symmank are the starters in March. Marshall Koehn was signed in January for competition. It's no sure thing that they will be in September. It's unlikely that the Vikings select a kicker and a punter in the draft but I'd say it's likely that they spend a later round pick on one or the other. Unless a long snapper is sailing snaps or bouncing them back to the punter or holder it's often tough to tell if they are doing their job well. By all accounts Kevin McDermott is doing his job well. He signed a contract extension last August. Marcus Sherels has been one of the best punt returners in the league for a while. He keeps surviving training camps in the summer and keeps making plays during the season. For the last four years Cordarrelle Patterson on kicks and Sherels on punts gave the Vikings the best returning pair in the league. Patterson's in Oakland now and that leaves the Vikings looking for a new kick returner. Unless they find one in the draft Sherels might be handling punts and kicks.

There's the Vikings defense and special teams. In March.

A Look At The Vikings Offense

Here's a pre-draft look at the offense of the Minnesota Vikings.

*-projected starters

Quarterbacks
*Sam Bradford
Teddy Bridgewater
Taylor Heinicke

Sam Bradford did a fine job in his first season as the Vikings quarterback. He joined the team just before the start of the season, had a crash course in the offense, led his new team to a win over the Green Bay Packers in his debut, and set an NFL season record for completion percentage. Granted most of his passes were of the shorter variety but the offensive line was such sieve he didn't have time to survey the field on every down. If there was one that he could change it's his tendency to put the ball on the ground upon contact. Other than that it was a fine first season. The biggest question with the Vikings quarterbacks is the continuing rehab from a brutal knee injury of Teddy Bridgewater. Until he's back on the field he's on the shelf. And I really wish that the media would stop asking head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman about his recovery timeline. They don't know and won't know until Bridgewater's back. A funny thing happened on the way to the Vikings 2016 training camp. Taylor Heinicke put his foot through a window and sliced his tendon. Actually, it wasn't very funny. Not to Heinicke or to the Vikings. As a rookie in 2015, he showed a lot of promise in training camp and the preseason games. So much promise that he had a shot to be the backup to Bridgewater in 2016. All that changed with Heinicke's pre-training camp accident. Who knows? If he'd been able to build on his promising potential during last year's training camp maybe the Vikings don't make that trade for Bradford. But that's not what happened and Bradford's the team leader and quarterback moving forward. A developmental quarterback will probably be added in the draft. Or after.

Running backs
*Latavius Murray
Jerick McKinnon
C.J. Ham
Bishop Sankey

Well, this group sure looks different. Since 2007, the Vikings running game has been centered around Adrian Peterson. It's tough to accept his departure but time doesn't stop rolling. Not even for football's greatest players. For now, the Vikings running game will be carried by some combination of Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon. With Peterson in the backfield there was always a really good chance that he was carrying the ball. Defenses like it when they have a good idea what's coming. With Murray/McKinnon (McMurray?) in the backfield the Vikings' offensive intentions should be more of a mystery. In that way the Vikings offense might've gotten more versatile. A draft pick (perhaps a high one) will certainly be added to this group.
It remains to be seen whether the Vikings offense under offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will field a true fullback.

Receivers
*Stefon Diggs
*Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Isaac Fruechte
Cayleb Jones

This is an intriguing group. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen each had over 900 yards receiving in 2016. They are just getting started. While Diggs can be effective outside the numbers his quickness, suddenness, and route precision might be best used from the slot. Treadwell gets a lot of grief for his single catch of 15 yards in his rookie season. Much more is expected from a first round pick these days. Sometimes it takes time and it does seem like Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is often hesitant to play rookies before he's sure their ready. Treadwell will be fine. He has too much talent and works too hard not to be fine. Jarius Wright's decreased playing time in 2016 was a season-long mystery. He's a solid, play-making receiver when given a chance. I really like the potential of the top four receivers but the Vikings could use some depth at the position from the draft.

Tight ends
*Kyle Rudolph
David Morgan
Kyle Carter

When healthy Kyle Rudolph has been a playmaker throughout his six years in the league. He stayed healthy last year and had his best season. He has to have more healthy seasons like that one. He has the talent to be one of the best tight ends in the league. Out of itty-bitty Texas-San Antonio, David Morgan flashed some potential in 2016. He should only build on that. Kyle Carter has the 2017 training camp to show that he can stick in the NFL. The Vikings strong run at free agent Jared Cook showed that they want to improve on this position. I'd imagine that the Vikings will look at tight ends in a draft with many talented options.
If the Vikings do go without a true fullback they might be looking for the sort of versatile tight end that can move around the formation. Play a little fullback, H-back, outside, and in-line.

Offensive line
*Riley Reiff
*Alex Boone
*Joe Berger
*Jeremiah Sirles
*Mike Remmers
Nick Easton
T.J. Clemmings
Zac Kerin
Rashod Hill
Willie Beavers
Austin Shepherd
Marquis Lucas
Reid Fragel

The offensive line. They are sick of hearing about how terrible they played last season. So are the fans. A ridiculous run of injuries really destroyed any chance of the line being effective before they really had a chance last season. That's noted but the line still has to improve. An average line would've gotten the Vikings in the playoffs. The Vikings first two moves in free agency were focused on improving this group. They added tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers. With just those two moves the Viking boosted the talent level to a tad over average. That's a great start. An offensive line of even average talent can a great line if they all work well together. Reiff, Boone, and Remmers are likely the only names written in ink on the lineup card. Joe Berger, Nick Easton, and possibly a draft pick will compete for the center spot. Jeremiah Sirles, Berger, a draft pick, and perhaps a host of others will compete for the right guard spot.
While a line with average talent can still be great, it's great to have great talent. Even with the free agency additions of Reiff and Remmers, offensive line is the Vikings area of greatest need. They have five picks in the first four rounds. It wouldn't be a surprise if two, maybe even three, of those picks are spent on offensive linemen.

That's how the Minnesota Vikings offense shapes up. On paper. In March.

Vikings (Way Too Early) Projected Starting Lineup

It's way too early to be doing this but I'm doing it still. With the final trickle of free agency and the draft still to come here's a way too early look at the Minnesota Vikings 2017 starting lineup.

Offense

WR Adam Thielen Slot Stefon Diggs LT Riley Reiff LG Alex Boone C Joe Berger RG Jeremiah Sirles RT Mike Remmers TE Kyle Rudolph WR Laquon Treadwell QB Sam Bradford RB Latavius Murray

It remains to be seen whether offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will field a fullback. He had a fullback on the roster when he was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 2011-12. Zach Line was the Vikings fullback last season but he's a free agent and taking visits. Maybe the Vikings are just letting the market set the price. We'll see. For this early lineup I went with three receivers. If the draft changes anything in the offense it'll likely beat at right guard and/or center.

Defense

RE Everson Griffen DT Sharrif Floyd NT Linval Joseph RE Danielle Hunter SLB Anthony Barr MLB Eric Kendricks WLB Emmanuel Lamur RCB Xavier Rhodes LCB Trae Waynes S  Harrison Smith S Andrew Sendejo

With the passing game growing with each season the Vikings, likely nearly all teams, are in the nickel more often than not. In the Vikings defense the nickel corner is on the field much more than the weak side linebacker. Captain Munnerlyn had been the nickel but he's in Carolina now. The nickel spot this year might come down to a battle between second-year Mackensie Alexander and ageless Terence Newman. Or perhaps even youngster Tre Roberson. The early starting spots of Sharrif Floyd, Emmanuel, and Andrew Sendejo are the least secure.

Special Teams

K	Kai Forbath
P	Taylor Symmank
LS	Kevin McDermott
KR	Marcus Sherels
PR	Marcus Sherels

For the last four years the Vikings had the best return game in the league. Cordarrelle Patterson handle kicks and Sherels handled punts. Patterson is in Oakland now. Sherels holds both spots at this early date. The Viking returners this year will probably come from the draft. Kevin McDermott might be the only one of the above remaining in September.

That's a fun exercise for the middle of March. 

Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Ledger

NFL Free Agency 2017 has been raging for just over a week. That might be a little strong. It was raging for a couple of days and it's been sort of simmering since. The Minnesota Vikings haven't been as active as some teams (San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots) but they've done a few things.

Coming to Minnesota

The following have signed with the Vikings:

T	Riley Reiff
T	Mike Remmers
DE	Datone Jones
RB	Latavius Murray

The Vikings entered this offseason with a tremendous need to improve the offensive line. It was no surprise when they went in that direction early. Riley Reiff was signed about an hour after the free agent store opened. Mike Remmers was signed the next day. It's safe to assume that the Vikings found their left (Reiff) and right (Remmers) tackles during the first two days of free agency. The offensive line is already improved. That's not saying a lot but it's a good start. Adding Datone Jones feels like a luxury signing. Defensive line is a team strength but there are still some concerns. Defensive end Brian Robison turns 34 next month. Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd missed nearly all of the 2016 season with a knee injury. He's an explosive, disruptive player when he's on the field but he's spent far too much of his four years in the trainer's room. Jones can play both positions. He might even end up wrestling the defensive tackle job away from Floyd. A talented Vikings defensive line got stronger with the addition of Jones. The signing of Latavius Murray was probably the most eye-opening of the four additions. Adrian Peterson has been the face of the franchise for a decade. Has that come to an end? Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said yesterday that it has. I, and certainly many others, will deal with what this means for Peterson, the Vikings, and their fans in the coming days. For now, this is about the Vikings new running back. The Vikings took a look at Eddie Lacy over the weekend. Maybe they offered him a contract. There were some rumors that they did. Whether they did or not mattered little when Lacy signed with the Seahawks. I have more faith in Murray as a Vikings running back simply because he doesn't have Lacy's ridiculous weight issue. Murray has nice size, great speed, solid production with the Oakland Raiders, and he can make an impact catching passes out of the backfield. The talent that Murray provides that I like best is his blocking. He's one of the better pass protectors in the league. That was the one thing that Peterson never did well. Murray can be in the backfield on all three downs without tipping the offense's intent. When Peterson was in the backfield it was probably a better than 60% chance that he was carrying the football. Defenses like those sorts of odds. Murray doesn't have Peterson's game-breaking talents but the Vikings offense might be more versatile.

There have been some rumors that the Vikings will look at help in the secondary. CB/S Lardarius Webb and the appropriately named nickel corner Nickell Robey-Coleman have been mentioned as possibilities. It remains to be seen if Wednesday's re-signing of ageless corner Terence Newman changes those secondary plans.

Moving on

The following 2016 Vikings have signed with other teams:

T	Matt Kalil-Carolina Panthers
CB	Captain Munnerlyn-Carolina Panthers
TE	Rhett Ellison-New York Giants
LB	Audie Cole-Jacksonville Jaguars
P	Jeff Locke-Indianapolis Colts
WR	Cordarrelle Patterson-Oakland Raiders
WR	Charles Johnson-Carolina Panthers
T	Andre Smith-Cincinnati Bengals

The Panthers were especially fond of Vikings players this offseason. Two of the now-Panthers did have prior connections to the team. Matt Kalil is now on the same offensive line with brother Ryan Kalil. That was likely the pull that pulled him from Minnesota. Well, that and an outrageous contract. Captain Munnerlyn is returning to the team that drafted him after a three-year hiatus in Minnesota.

Depending on who's talking the Vikings may or may not have tried to retain Kalil, Munnerlyn, Patterson, and Locke. Other teams were willing to pay more.

In limbo, at the moment. 

The following 2016 Vikings are still looking for work.

RB	Adrian Peterson
FB	Zach Line
QB	Shaun Hill
RB	Matt Asiata
T	Jake Long
DE	Justin Trattou

Adrian Peterson will surely find a home soon. It won't feel right to see him in another uniform. Zach Line visited with the New York Jets. I've been curious if offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur's Vikings offense would include a fullback. With the apparent lack of attention paid to Line it doesn't look like it. Matt Asiata could return. Same could be true for Justin Trattou but the defensive line room is getting crowded. Retirement from the game could be the next move for Shaun Hill and Jake Long.

It doesn't seem like the Minnesota Vikings were terribly active in the first week of free agency but the team will look very different in 2017.

Throwback Thursday: Golden Domers In The NFL

The Talk of Fame Sports Network posted an All-Time NFL Team made up of Notre Dame players. Considering the prominence of the Irsih throughout the history of college the quality of this team is hardly surprising. 518 of their players have been drafted by the NFL. That total is more than any other college. 13 of those players have been inducted into the Pro Football of Fame. That total is also more than any other college. Notre Dame has a strong NFL presence. Here's the Talk of Fame Sports Network's look at Notre Dame's All-Time NFL team.

Offense

QB-Joe Montana, Hall of Fame
HB-Paul Hornung, Hall of Fame
FB-Jerome Bettis, Hall of Fame
WR-Tim Brown, Hall of Fame
WR-Wayne Milner, Hall of Fame
TE-Dave Casper, Hall of Fame
OT-George Kunz, 8 Pro Bowls
OT-Andy Heck, 12 seasons, 164 starts
G-Bob Kuechenberg, 6 Pro Bowls
G-Zack Martin, 3 Pro Bowls
C-George Trafton, Hall of Fame

Defense

DE-Alan Page, Hall of Fame
DE-Justin Tuck, 2 Pro Bowls
DT-Bryant Young, 1990s NFL All-Decade Team
DT-Bob Golic, 3 Pro Bowls
OLB-George Connor, Hall of Fame
MLB-Nick Buoniconti, Hall of Fame
OLB-Jim Lynch, Pro Bowl
CB-Todd Lyght, Pro Bowl
CB-Bobby Taylor, Pro Bowl
S-Dave Duerson, 4 Pro Bowls
S-Harrison Smith, 2 Pro Bowls

Special Teams

K-John Carney, NFL's 5th All-Time Scorer
P-Craig Hentrich, 2 Pro Bowls

Johnny "Blood" McNally is the one Hall of Fame player that didn't make this team. Who knows how much time Johnny actually spent in South Bend? I'd still replace Hornung with McNally. Curly Lambeau and Eddie DeBartolo Jr. are the other Notre Dame Hall of Famers.

A Hall of Fame case can be made for Bob Kuechenberg, George Kunz, and Bryant Young. Canton could come calling for Zack Martin and Harrison Smith after their time in the NFL is done.

It sounds like Talk of Fame is going to take a look at the NFL presence of other college football teams. Notre Dame is a fine place to start.

Post-Week of Free Agency Mock Draft

A week of NFL free agency changes things. Here's another Mock Draft.

1.   Cleveland Browns-Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2.   San Francisco 49ers-Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
3.   Chicago Bears-Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
4.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Jamal Adams, S, LSU
5.   Tennessee Titans-Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
6.   New York Jets-DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
7.   San Diego Chargers-Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
8.   Carolina Panthers-Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
9.   Cincinnati Bengals-Rueben Foster, LB, Alabama
10. Buffalo Bills-Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
11. New Orleans Saints-Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
12. Cleveland Browns-DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
13. Arizona Cardinals-Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
14. Philadelphia Eagles-O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
15. Indianapolis Colts-Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
16. Baltimore Ravens-Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
17. Washington Redskins-Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
18. Tennessee Titans-John Ross, WR, Washington
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
20. Denver Broncos-Garrett Bolles, T, Utah
21. Detroit Lions-Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
22. Miami Dolphins-David Njoku, TE, Miami
23. New York Giants-Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi
24. Oakland Raiders-Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
25. Houston Texans-Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
26. Seattle Seahawks-Cam Robinson, T, Alabama
27. Kansas City Chiefs-Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
28. Dallas Cowboys-Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
29. Green Bay Packers-Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
30. Pittsburgh Steelers-Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
31. Atlanta Falcons-Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
32. New Orleans Saints-Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee

Until the next one.

Best Offseason Additions. So Far.

NFL free agency has been raging for nearly a week. Here's a look at each team's best offseason addition. So far.

Minnesota Vikings
Riley Reiff, T
Riley Reiff is an improvement over anything that the Vikings have had at the left tackle position since Matt Kalil's rookie year. Five years ago.

Green Bay Packers
Martellus Bennett, TE
Martellus Bennett added to Aaron Rodgers' arsenal isn't a good thing for Packers opponents.

Detroit Lions
TJ Lang, G
The Lions rushed tackle Riley Reiff and Larry Worford out the door and rushed Ricky Wagner and TJ Lang in. Interesting exchange. Lang's an upgrade over Warford.

Chicago Bears
Mike Glennon, QB
The Bears found themselves a quarterback!

New York Giants
Brandon Marshall, WR
Odell Beckham, Jr., Sterling Shepherd, and now Brandon Marshall. Eli Manning must be very happy.

Philadelphia Eagles
Alshon Jeffrey, WR
Carson Wentz now has a receiver that can catch the football. Jeffery just has to stay healthy.

Washington Redskins
Terrelle Pryor, WR
The Redskins lost receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson to free agency. Terrelle Pryor helps offset those losses.

Dallas Cowboys
Nolan Carroll, CB
The Cowboys haven't done much in free agency but they did add Nolan Carroll.

New Orleans Saints
Nick Fairly, DT
Keeping Nick Fairly was a wise move for the Saints if he can build on a nice first season with the team.

Atlanta Falcons
Andre Roberts, WR
This is the pick until the Falcons sign nose tackle Dontari Poe. Roberts essentially replaces Aldrick Robinson in Matt Ryan's pack of weapons.

Carolina Panthers
Captain Munnerlyn, CB
Nickel corner is becoming a more important position with each passing season. Captain Munnerlyn was arguably the best nickel corner in the league the last two seasons. He returns to the team that drafted him.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DeSean Jackson, WR
Jameis Winston was calling for DeSean Jackson before free agency started. Mike Evans and Jackson are now one of the better pass-catching tandems in the league.

San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Juszczyk, FB
The 49ers needed a fullback in new head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense. They got one of, if not, the best in Kyle Juszczyk.

Los Angeles Rams
Andrew Whitworth, T
Jared Goff and Todd Gurley are happy about Andrew Whitworth keeping them clean.

Seattle Seahawks
Luke Joeckel, G
The Seahawks haven't been active in free agency but they had to improve their line. I guess that Luke Joeckel does that.

Arizona Cardinals
Antoine Bethea, S
The Cardinals haven't been active either but Antoine Bethea is a nice replacement for the departed Tony Jefferson.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Re-signing Antonio Brown and Franchise tagging Le'Veon Bell
The Steelers haven't signed any new free agents but they kept two of their offensive cornerstones.

Cleveland Browns
Kevin Zeitler, G
There was some head-scratching when the Browns lost offensive line stalwarts Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz last year. Adding Kevin Zeitler and JC Tretter this year gives them one of the better lines in the league.

Cincinnati Bengals
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
The Bengals have done little but lose players to free agency. At least they kept Dre Kirkpatrick. He's been a solid player.

Baltimore Ravens
Danny Woodhead, RB
The Ravens needed to add some offensive punch. Danny Woodhead has been one of the league's most versatile backs when healthy.

New England Patriots
Trades
The Patriots made a strong move in signing corner Stephon Gilmore in free agency but it's the three trades that they made that stand out. They added receiver Brandin Cooks, tight end Dwayne Allen, and Kony Ealy through trades. Oh my.

New York Jets
Kelvin Beachum, T
The Jets released several players but added only Kelvin Beachum. He's battled injuries recently but he's steady when healthy. He should be an upgrade over Ryan Clady.

Buffalo Bills
Patrick DiMarco, FB
Bills halfback LeSean McCoy should be happy to have Patrick DiMarco paving the way for him. DiMarco can also help in the passing game.

Miami Dolphins
Julius Thomas, TE
The Dolphins added Julius Thomas in a trade with the Jaguars. If he can play like he did for a couple of seasons in Denver the Dolphins added a terrific receiving talent.

Houston Texans
ridding themselves of Osweiler
In a unique trade with the Browns the Texans did themselves a great favor by unloading the ridiculous contract that they handed to Brock Osweiler. They no longer have the quarterback that was supposed to rescue their franchise but that looks like a very good thing now.

Indianapolis Colts
Jabaal Sheard, DE
I've been a Jabaal Sheard fan since his Cleveland days. He's a very good, all-around defensive end.

Tennessee Titans
Logan Ryan, CB
The Titans needed some corners that can play press-man. The added one in Logan Ryan.

Jacksonville Jaguars
A.J. Bouye, CB
The Jaguars have "won" the past couple offseasons. Then they win four games. All of these great additions have to translate into the sort of wins that actually count. About six months ago A.J. Bouye was just one of the Texans corners. Then he finally got a chance to play and suddenly he's one of the most sought after players in free agency. The corner combo of Bouye and Jalen Ramsey is one of the most promising in the league.

Oakland Raiders
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR
Cordarrelle Patterson gave Vikings fans a crazy mix of many thrilling moments and frustrations in his four years in Minnesota. It wasn't until his final season with the team that he finally seemed interested in running the route that was called. He's the best kick returner in the league. He always provided that. He's also one of the most explosive players. He can score from anywhere on the field at any moment. As a fan of this wildly entertaining player I want to see him succeed. I just wished that it was with the Vikings.

Denver Broncos
Domata Peko, DT
Some might see the signing of guard Ronald Leary as the Broncos best offseason addition due to their offensive line woes. Adding Domata Peko to the middle of the defensive line is the pick here.

Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have been sitting out free agency so far.

Los Angeles Chargers
Russell Okung, T
Adding Russell Okung to the offensive line was a sound move. However, the contract that the Chargers gave him is ridiculous.