2007 NFL Draft Weekend Team Thread: Minnesota Vikings

[Vikings4ever 568]

Traded 121 to Denver.

 

ETA: -160-

 

121 Denver (from Denver through Atlanta and Minnesota)

 

Broncos Get

4th round, No. 121: Marcus Thomas, DT, Florida

 

Vikings Get

6th round, No. 176

7th round, No. 233

2008 3rd-round pick

[dreadlocks34 0]

Nice job by them to pick up an extra 3 for next season but I would have already offered that 3 to Seattle for Darrell Jackson.

[Hagy34 0]

Not going to be around guys but wanted to chime in on the draft thus far. Love our first day. Couldn't have asked for a better skill position player in Peterson. Could be in the top 3 if not the best player in this draft. He should greatly improve our redzone offense right away. I see him and Chester being a dominant force for the Vikes and eventually Peterson becoming the man the face of our franchise. Sidney Rice was a little weird but honestly it's hard to argue with at this point. They took a WR that they probably had rated very high on their board. Those two picks alone make me very happy as a Vikings fan because our offense is improved NOW. That trade down was also smart in my mind, they found a DE in the early 4th and landed an extra pick in '08. This team is by no means a contender right now but at least with the Peterson/Taylor combo we should be able buy a year of development with Tjax while still being able to keep fans interested.

 

People that are going to knock our draft will soon understand the kind of power running game that the Vikes will have in '07. Peterson coming to Minnesota is our biggest pick as far as offensive impact goes since Randy Moss. He is going to be an absoulte stud and anyone who thinks we should've passed on him just hasn't seen this kid play.

 

Hopefully we can add some depth at Corner here late and I'm hoping for another WR as well. In my mind, this draft was a success and am very happy with the direction this team is going.

[Vikings4ever 568]

Hopefully we can add some depth at Corner here late

I though that's what McCauly (sp?) was for?

[WKTSWAY 0]

Another (East) Carolina WR...Aundrae Allison NFL Network guys seem to like him.

[Vikings4ever 568]

Vikes took Aundrae Allison.

 

Kind of wanted Ben Patrick, TE, but I can not argue with this pick at all. Draft is shaping up to be very good.

[Hagy34 0]

Vikes took Aundrae Allison.

 

Kind of wanted Ben Patrick, TE, but I can not argue with this pick at all. Draft is shaping up to be very good.

 

I love that pick of Allison. He was the top rated guy left and I thought he may be a late 2nd or early 3rd. Was thinking we may go with Tarell Brown of Texas but this was the guy I wanted. He's still very raw but a nice late WR pickup.

[Vikings4ever 568]

Vikings took Rufus Alexander, LB

 

Rufus Alexander

Height: 6-07/8 | Weight: 228 | 40-Time: 4.81

 

Official Bio

 

Strengths:

Very athletic...Has good speed and quickness...He makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage...Great range and makes plays from sideline-to-sideline...Has fluid hips and does a nice job in coverage...Works through traffic well...A big hitter who will deliver a knockout blow...His read/react skills are solid...Very productive.

 

Weaknesses:

Does not have the type of height or bulk you'd prefer...Not much of a force in the box...Has an inconsistent motor...Is not overly instinctive...Gets swallowed up by mammoth blockers...Struggles to shed blockers once they lock on...An adequate tackler but can improve...Questionable hands and ball skills...Is he a system guy?

 

Notes:

Projects as a weakside linebacker at the next level...Probably needs to be in the right scheme (Cover 2?) to succeed...Is undersized but makes up for it with speed and athleticism...One of the best outside 'backers available in a weak senior crop.

 

Doesn't sound like anything special, the Vikings LBs last year where great against the run, bad in coverage. Maybe Alexander can help.

 

Also, another Sooner. Wondering if AD was pimping the guy.

[Foghorn Leghorn 0]

Wow - the Vikings get the best RB at 1.07, trade down in Round Two and still get a Top 5 WR. Good job.

[Chronic Husker 86]

Rufus Alexander

 

Official Bio

 

Has fluid hips.....will deliver a knockout blow...Does not have the type of bulk you'd prefer...Not much of a force in the box...Gets swallowed up ...Questionable ball skills...

 

What pron producer wrote this analysis?

[WKTSWAY 0]

Tyler Thigpen, QB - Coastal Carolina

 

Anyone know anything about this guy?

[Vikings4ever 568]

Tyler Thigpen

Height: 6-15/8 | Weight: 223 | 40-Time: 4.80

 

Official Bio

 

Strengths:

Good bulk and a solid build...A decent athlete...Is mobile and can make plays with his feet...Arm strength is more than adequate...Pretty accurate...Smart...A leader with terrific intangibles...Productive and really came on as a senior...Has upside.

 

Weaknesses:

A little shorter than you would prefer...He still needs some work when it comes to technique and mechanics...Did not play against top competition...Takes too many sacks...One-year wonder?..Might be years away and more of a long-term project.

 

Notes:

Finished seventh in the balloting for the Walter Payton Award in 2006...He was a four-year starter...Brother, Chris, played two years of football at the University of Louisville...Interesting developmental prospect who has some tools to work with.

 

[Vikings4ever 568]

Chandler Williams, WR at 233.

 

Chandler Williams

Height: 5-103/4 | Weight: 184 | 40-Time: 4.42

 

Official Bio

 

Strengths:

Has very good timed speed and quickness...Height is adequate...Runs well after the catch...Very athletic...Superb hands...Good body control...Can also help out as a return man...Will beat the jam...Tough and strong...He still has some potential.

 

Weaknesses:

Did not play against top competition on a consistent basis...He does not have the ideal bulk that you look for...A sub par blocker...Needs to run better routes...Raw and he'll likely need quite a bit of work...Is he ever going to be starting material?

 

Notes:

Won eight varsity letters as a prep including three for football, two in basketball, one for track and one for badminton...An interesting developmental prospect who may never be a star but could make a roster and eventually contribute some day.

[remote controller 143]

Tyler Thigpen

Height: 6-15/8 | Weight: 223 | 40-Time: 4.80

 

Official Bio

 

Strengths:

Good bulk and a solid build...A decent athlete...Is mobile and can make plays with his feet...Arm strength is more than adequate...Pretty accurate...Smart...A leader with terrific intangibles...Productive and really came on as a senior...Has upside.

 

Weaknesses:

A little shorter than you would prefer...He still needs some work when it comes to technique and mechanics...Did not play against top competition...Takes too many sacks...One-year wonder?..Might be years away and more of a long-term project.

 

Notes:

Finished seventh in the balloting for the Walter Payton Award in 2006...He was a four-year starter...Brother, Chris, played two years of football at the University of Louisville...Interesting developmental prospect who has some tools to work with.

 

 

Super

[Vikings4ever 568]

Super

[Guest Black Label Society]

Although the Vikes didn't REALLY need a RB, I am pretty happy they got a potential stud in AP.

Time will tell if he pans out (injury concerns).

 

Overall, they addressed their needs quite well. 3 WR's....a RB that will put asses in the stands and some other key positions. I'm very optimistic.

[dreadlocks34 0]

Although the Vikes didn't REALLY need a RB, I am pretty happy they got a potential stud in AP.

Time will tell if he pans out (injury concerns).

 

Overall, they addressed their needs quite well. 3 WR's....a RB that will put asses in the stands and some other key positions. I'm very optimistic.

Chester Taylor was pretty good but let's be honest, he is not Adrian Peterson.

 

I am still not down on the '06 draft yet. The truth is we really know very little about that draft and in fact the entire draft of players are still in play and are pretty interesting:

Chad Greenway

Cedric Griffin

Ryan Cook

Tarvaris Jackson

Ray Edwards

Greg Blue

[football_scooter 0]

Although the Vikes didn't REALLY need a RB, I am pretty happy they got a potential stud in AP.

Time will tell if he pans out (injury concerns).

 

Overall, they addressed their needs quite well. 3 WR's....a RB that will put asses in the stands and some other key positions. I'm very optimistic.

 

Who's their QB?

[dreadlocks34 0]

Who's their QB?

I wish they would bring in Tim Rattay for one more season for Jackson to watch. I still believe they will add a Rattay type QB and a Moulds-type veteran receiver.