Post by Purple Pain on Apr 25, 2022 8:16:31 GMT -6
This is GREAT from Purple Insider:
THE PURPLE INSIDER 2022 VIKINGS NFL DRAFT GUIDE
SO much more at the link above! Give it a look or five!
THE PURPLE INSIDER 2022 VIKINGS NFL DRAFT GUIDE
Where should the Vikings be prioritizing their focus in the draft? Let’s rank the positions 10 to 1.
10) Running back: Dalvin Cook is likely wearing a Vikings uniform for the next two seasons and Kene Nwangwu flashed enough in his rookie year to get excited about him. But Alexander Mattison’s contract is up after this season and he could look for a starting role somewhere else. That frees up another roster spot for a running back that could be addressed late in the draft or in undrafted free agency
Where to target: Rounds 6-7, UDFAs
Who to target: Jaylen Warren (Oklahoma State), Tyler Goodson (Iowa), CJ Verdell (Oregon)
9) Linebacker: Minnesota is set on linebackers entering the 2022 season with Jordan Hicks set to play alongside Eric Kendricks. Hicks, while on a two-year contract, could easily be moved on from after this season if he doesn’t work well alongside Kendricks. That makes drafting a potential replacement a priority. And if Hicks works out, Minnesota could still use the depth.
Where to target: Day 3
Who to target: Damone Clark (LSU), Terrell Bernard (Baylor), Mike Rose (Iowa State)
8) Defensive tackle: The Vikings swapped out Michael Pierce for Harrison Phillips and still have Dalvin Tomlinson and Armon Watts returning. That gives Minnesota a solid group for 2022, but Tomlinson is on the final year of his contract and the Vikings are probably still looking for more pass rush capabilities from inside.
Where to target: Rounds 4-5
Who to target: Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma), Otito Ogbonnia (UCLA), Neil Farrell Jr. (LSU)
7) Tight end: The Vikings hope Irv Smith will continue the upward trajectory he was on prior to getting injured before the 2021 season, but it’s no guarantee. With the departure of Tyler Conklin, the depth behind Smith is 2021 fifth-round pick Zach Davidson and Johnny Mundt, who O’Connell knows well from the Los Angeles Rams. O’Connell has expressed the desire to use two tight end sets and may need to address it in the draft in order to have that capability.
Where to target: Rounds 4-5
Who to target: Brevin Jordan (Miami), Hunter Long (Boston College), Tommy Tremble (Notre Dame)
6) Safety: The emergence of Cam Bynum is a great story to follow heading into 2022, but making him the unquestioned starter beside Harrison Smith after playing just 200 snaps as a rookie would be unwise. The Vikings would be smart to continue adding depth and competition for Bynum while potentially addressing a long-term Harrison Smith replacement.
Where to target: Round 1 if Kyle Hamilton is available, otherwise Round 2-5
Who to target: Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), Jalen Pitre (Baylor), Nick Cross (Maryland)
5) Quarterback: The Vikings’ new regime appears committed to seeing what it can get out of Kirk Cousins in the immediate future. But with Cousins only under contract for two more seasons and Kevin O’Connell’s insistence that no position is off the table on draft night, there is a chance (albeit remote) that Minnesota takes a signal caller on draft night. Cousins is only under contract through 2023 and the QBs in this draft are all considered development projects
Where to target: Round 1 or 2
Who to target: Malik Willis (Liberty), Sam Howell(North Carolina), Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh), Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati) or Matt Corral (Ole Miss)
4) Wide receiver: It’s certainly not the most pressing concern on the roster. The Vikings still have Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn emerged last season. However, Thielen’s long term outlook is anything but clear and wide receiver is the most impactful position to winning other than quarterback. In an offense that will likely have three wide receivers on the field a ton, continuing to add to that room is pivotal.
Where to target: Rounds 1-3, but really anytime
Who to target: Jameson Williams (Alabama), Chris Olave (Ohio State) and Alec Pierce (Cincinnati).
3) Defensive end: Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith provide the Vikings a formidable duo… when healthy. That wasn’t the case for either player last year and it’s a major concern heading into this season. The Vikings would be wise to add depth to that EDGE group in the event of an injury. It also provides insurance if Minnesota decides not to extend Hunter.
Where to target: Rounds 1-3
Who to target: George Karlaftis (Purdue), Arnold Ebektie (Penn State), Kingsley Enagbare (South Carolina)
2) Interior offensive line: The Vikings finally have some stability along the offensive line. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill both project as above-average starters at tackle and Ezra Cleveland has continued to improve at left guard. The issue lies at center and right guard. The Vikings added pieces in free agency – Chris Reed and Jesse Davis – that could be sufficient stopgaps at guard, but neither have shown great consistency or project as long term fixes. The new regime has expressed confidence in Garrett Bradbury, but it’s hard to take their word for it after his continued struggles.
Where to target: Rounds 2-5
Who to target: Dylan Parham (Memphis), Cam Jurgens (Nebraska), Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)
1) Cornerback: This is pretty self explanatory. The Vikings have made some bandaid free agent signings by bringing back Patrick Peterson and signing Chandon Sullivan to play in the slot, but there are no long term pieces to build in the secondary around other than Cameron Dantzler. While the Vikings have tried and failed to address cornerback in the last several drafts, they will need to return back to the well in 2022.
Where to target: Rounds 1-3
Who to target: Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU), Trent McDuffie (Washington), Roger McCreary (Auburn)
10) Running back: Dalvin Cook is likely wearing a Vikings uniform for the next two seasons and Kene Nwangwu flashed enough in his rookie year to get excited about him. But Alexander Mattison’s contract is up after this season and he could look for a starting role somewhere else. That frees up another roster spot for a running back that could be addressed late in the draft or in undrafted free agency
Where to target: Rounds 6-7, UDFAs
Who to target: Jaylen Warren (Oklahoma State), Tyler Goodson (Iowa), CJ Verdell (Oregon)
9) Linebacker: Minnesota is set on linebackers entering the 2022 season with Jordan Hicks set to play alongside Eric Kendricks. Hicks, while on a two-year contract, could easily be moved on from after this season if he doesn’t work well alongside Kendricks. That makes drafting a potential replacement a priority. And if Hicks works out, Minnesota could still use the depth.
Where to target: Day 3
Who to target: Damone Clark (LSU), Terrell Bernard (Baylor), Mike Rose (Iowa State)
8) Defensive tackle: The Vikings swapped out Michael Pierce for Harrison Phillips and still have Dalvin Tomlinson and Armon Watts returning. That gives Minnesota a solid group for 2022, but Tomlinson is on the final year of his contract and the Vikings are probably still looking for more pass rush capabilities from inside.
Where to target: Rounds 4-5
Who to target: Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma), Otito Ogbonnia (UCLA), Neil Farrell Jr. (LSU)
7) Tight end: The Vikings hope Irv Smith will continue the upward trajectory he was on prior to getting injured before the 2021 season, but it’s no guarantee. With the departure of Tyler Conklin, the depth behind Smith is 2021 fifth-round pick Zach Davidson and Johnny Mundt, who O’Connell knows well from the Los Angeles Rams. O’Connell has expressed the desire to use two tight end sets and may need to address it in the draft in order to have that capability.
Where to target: Rounds 4-5
Who to target: Brevin Jordan (Miami), Hunter Long (Boston College), Tommy Tremble (Notre Dame)
6) Safety: The emergence of Cam Bynum is a great story to follow heading into 2022, but making him the unquestioned starter beside Harrison Smith after playing just 200 snaps as a rookie would be unwise. The Vikings would be smart to continue adding depth and competition for Bynum while potentially addressing a long-term Harrison Smith replacement.
Where to target: Round 1 if Kyle Hamilton is available, otherwise Round 2-5
Who to target: Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), Jalen Pitre (Baylor), Nick Cross (Maryland)
5) Quarterback: The Vikings’ new regime appears committed to seeing what it can get out of Kirk Cousins in the immediate future. But with Cousins only under contract for two more seasons and Kevin O’Connell’s insistence that no position is off the table on draft night, there is a chance (albeit remote) that Minnesota takes a signal caller on draft night. Cousins is only under contract through 2023 and the QBs in this draft are all considered development projects
Where to target: Round 1 or 2
Who to target: Malik Willis (Liberty), Sam Howell(North Carolina), Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh), Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati) or Matt Corral (Ole Miss)
4) Wide receiver: It’s certainly not the most pressing concern on the roster. The Vikings still have Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn emerged last season. However, Thielen’s long term outlook is anything but clear and wide receiver is the most impactful position to winning other than quarterback. In an offense that will likely have three wide receivers on the field a ton, continuing to add to that room is pivotal.
Where to target: Rounds 1-3, but really anytime
Who to target: Jameson Williams (Alabama), Chris Olave (Ohio State) and Alec Pierce (Cincinnati).
3) Defensive end: Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith provide the Vikings a formidable duo… when healthy. That wasn’t the case for either player last year and it’s a major concern heading into this season. The Vikings would be wise to add depth to that EDGE group in the event of an injury. It also provides insurance if Minnesota decides not to extend Hunter.
Where to target: Rounds 1-3
Who to target: George Karlaftis (Purdue), Arnold Ebektie (Penn State), Kingsley Enagbare (South Carolina)
2) Interior offensive line: The Vikings finally have some stability along the offensive line. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill both project as above-average starters at tackle and Ezra Cleveland has continued to improve at left guard. The issue lies at center and right guard. The Vikings added pieces in free agency – Chris Reed and Jesse Davis – that could be sufficient stopgaps at guard, but neither have shown great consistency or project as long term fixes. The new regime has expressed confidence in Garrett Bradbury, but it’s hard to take their word for it after his continued struggles.
Where to target: Rounds 2-5
Who to target: Dylan Parham (Memphis), Cam Jurgens (Nebraska), Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)
1) Cornerback: This is pretty self explanatory. The Vikings have made some bandaid free agent signings by bringing back Patrick Peterson and signing Chandon Sullivan to play in the slot, but there are no long term pieces to build in the secondary around other than Cameron Dantzler. While the Vikings have tried and failed to address cornerback in the last several drafts, they will need to return back to the well in 2022.
Where to target: Rounds 1-3
Who to target: Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU), Trent McDuffie (Washington), Roger McCreary (Auburn)
SO much more at the link above! Give it a look or five!
... and neither is this Chris guy.