Why is DE considered equal to OT in our need?
Apr 29, 2021 12:26:10 GMT -6
suncoastvike and Longship like this
Post by Jor-El on Apr 29, 2021 12:26:10 GMT -6
Most people predict we pick one of these two, and a lot of mocks want to get both, and there is a good thread about doing so. It has kind of become accepted that DE is almost as important as OL, to the point where everyone will "accept" a first round DE.
But look at this a couple of ways. First, the two units, pass rush and pass pro, were both very bad last year, no doubt they need to improve. So what has been done to each?
PASS RUSH:
+ Bringing back an All-Pro DE, Danielle Hunter
+ Adding a FA NT, Michael Pierce
+ Adding a FA 3T, Dalvin Tomlinson
+ Signed a decent former player, Steven Weatherly
Sure we could stand to improve on Weatherly. But Hunter, Pierce, Tomlinson - maybe even some rushing from Barr - those are big improvements, right?? I think the pass rush will be better regardless of drafting.
PASS PROTECTION:
- Cut LT Riley Reiff
* Added LG Mason Cole
That's a lot less reason to think things will get any better.
Then consider what we have to turn to if we don't draft a high pick for either of these:
OT: Development of Oli Udoh to start - coached by Rick Dennison.
DE: Development of DJ Wonnum to start - coached by Andre Patterson and Mike Zimmer.
We would all love to see Oli emerge, but look at Dennison's track record. We shouldn't count on it. OTOH, Wonnum has spent a year with these "legendary" coaches - shouldn't he be ready to take a step up from the flashes he showed??
Many of you probably know I am happy to throw some shade at Zimmer/Patterson, but seriously, when the acknowledged strength of your coaching is on one side of the ball, don't you turn to that when you have needs in multiple places??
It feels, to me, like the Vikings have most fans accepting that the defensive line needs 4 thoroughbred starters and some rotational players as well. Funny, we hear a lot of complaints that "Cousins needs everything perfect around him to succeed" - but doesn't Zimmer need everything "perfect" to succeed.
IMO we are going to get 1 player in the draft with a good chance to contribute. I don't expect any awesome deals where we get a 2nd round pick back, and 3rd rounders are riskier. So I don't understand any rationalization for picking anything but OL at 14.
But look at this a couple of ways. First, the two units, pass rush and pass pro, were both very bad last year, no doubt they need to improve. So what has been done to each?
PASS RUSH:
+ Bringing back an All-Pro DE, Danielle Hunter
+ Adding a FA NT, Michael Pierce
+ Adding a FA 3T, Dalvin Tomlinson
+ Signed a decent former player, Steven Weatherly
Sure we could stand to improve on Weatherly. But Hunter, Pierce, Tomlinson - maybe even some rushing from Barr - those are big improvements, right?? I think the pass rush will be better regardless of drafting.
PASS PROTECTION:
- Cut LT Riley Reiff
* Added LG Mason Cole
That's a lot less reason to think things will get any better.
Then consider what we have to turn to if we don't draft a high pick for either of these:
OT: Development of Oli Udoh to start - coached by Rick Dennison.
DE: Development of DJ Wonnum to start - coached by Andre Patterson and Mike Zimmer.
We would all love to see Oli emerge, but look at Dennison's track record. We shouldn't count on it. OTOH, Wonnum has spent a year with these "legendary" coaches - shouldn't he be ready to take a step up from the flashes he showed??
Many of you probably know I am happy to throw some shade at Zimmer/Patterson, but seriously, when the acknowledged strength of your coaching is on one side of the ball, don't you turn to that when you have needs in multiple places??
It feels, to me, like the Vikings have most fans accepting that the defensive line needs 4 thoroughbred starters and some rotational players as well. Funny, we hear a lot of complaints that "Cousins needs everything perfect around him to succeed" - but doesn't Zimmer need everything "perfect" to succeed.
IMO we are going to get 1 player in the draft with a good chance to contribute. I don't expect any awesome deals where we get a 2nd round pick back, and 3rd rounders are riskier. So I don't understand any rationalization for picking anything but OL at 14.
... and neither is this Chris guy.