As a classic over-thinker I can relate to Rick Spielman. This label that I'm placing on Spielman is one I believe he deserves. Ever since he took over as General Manager back in 2012, he has built a draft day legacy that he (himself) has tried to live up to. As a fellow over-thinker, our biggest downfall is assuming you have all the angles figured out. But as a GM of a team, I feel there are times that you have to approach the unpredictable draft in a very predictable and patient approach.
This year, the Vikings have brought in a premier coaching staff that that the rest of the NFL should be jealous of. Norv Turner is hands-down one of the best offensive minds in football. Last year, he was able to coax breakout years out of Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron. As a Browns fan, I know I can't expect the same type of production this year, but I know what great coaching can bring out of those guys. So this year, all Spielman had to do was give Turner the proper chess pieces... and get out of his way. Did he do that?
On the defensive side of the ball, Mike Zimmer is a genius on the sidelines. His ability to get the most out of sub par, over-the-hill, athletically-limited defenders is quite frankly amazing. Case-in-point, Terance Newman and James Harrison were (I mean are) old, slow, and unwanted but Zimmer turned them into cogs in an elite defense. He even turned one-dimensional strong safeties, Taylor Mays and George Iloka, into assets instead of the liabilities that they are in pass coverage. So long story short, Zimmer can coach.
But back to the over-arching theme of this post, let's review the draft class.
Yet another year, Spielman took the Browns to the cleaners in another draft day trade. Or did he? .................. A-n-y-w-a-y-s, after the Browns traded down to 9 with the Bills, the cost to trade up from 9 to 8, should have been 150 points (based off of the trade value chart) or a 3rd round pick. But somehow the Browns got away with only giving up a 5th round pick (33.5 pts). But as is customary, teams trading up never tell the other team whom they covet. So when the Browns picked CB Justin Gilbert, I believe Spielman experienced his first negative outcome from over-thinking.
So if you can't read between the tea leaves here, I believe the Vikings wanted Gilbert to play opposite Xavier Rhodes. The one-year prove-it deal they gave to underachieving CB Derek Cox is no ringing endorsement. And as I've said before, 5'8" Captain Munderlein is far from a perimeter CB to counter 6'4" WRs in the NFC North. Sure Cox could be Zim Dawg's Terence Newman... but I'm just not sold. Either way,
(OLB) Anthony Barr was tabbed at #9 to attack the QB, which he could excel at. Sure some draftniks have questioned his inability to hold up at the point of attack, his lack of counter pass rush moves, and his zero experience in dropping into coverage. But no one intelligent would dare challenge Barr's athletic prowess or impressive frame. At Zimmer's SAM position, Barr will easily be the most explosive pass rusher he's ever worked with at LB.
Next, the Vikings traded up into the 1st to select
(QB) Teddy Bridgewater. You all know where I stand on Bridgewater, you all know where Rod Jerks stands on him too. So I won't belabor the analysis here. What I will say is, Spielman was very wise to trade up into the 1st. The Texans could have picked him at the top of the 2nd. But the added plus is that in the new CBA, 1st round draft picks have a 5th year team-option. This is an under-the-radar value added aspect to trade. In today's NFL, the financial flexibility of having a 5th year option (at a predetermined rate) gives teams more time to know what they have in a player and make a wise investment.
In the 3rd round,
(DE) Scott Crichton was an amazing value. If you remember, Crichton is easily one of my favorite players. I like him so much, that I think he could be a darkhorse candidate for DROY. But for that to materialize, he will have to beat out Brian Robison and Corey Wooton for playing time. Robison will be an over-priced nickle rusher, while Wooton hasn't capitalized on his ability... so I think he has a chance.
The second 3rd round pick went toward joining the out-of-no-where run on running backs. Eight RBs were selected in 43 picks, between the 2nd and 3rd round. Had you told me that this was going to happen before the draft, I would have told you to stop stop drinking and I'd get you a cab. So needless to say, I think that Spielman reached, over-thinking the need justifies the pick. The insatiable need for a quality backup RB, a world-class athlete by the way, over-ruled the need for a CB or S or OT. I'm a little harsh, but in my heart of hearts
(RB) Jerick McKinnon I have a man-crush. Don't tell Scott Crichton.
Then there is
(OG) David Yankey, who was once thought of a top flight OG, until everyone realized that playing for Stanford doesn't automatically make you an amazing player. As we got closer to the draft, most thought that he would go undrafted. Before you think this is a smokescreen, GMs don't bother creating false rumors on players outside of the top 2 rounds. I would have preferred CB Shaq Richardson, S Vinnie Sunseri, or DT Caraun Reid.
In the 6th and 7th round, the Vikings selected 5 more players. 3 CBs, 1 DT, and 1 OLB. Most of these guys will contribute by playing special teams, and some will max out on the practice squad. That said,
(CB/S) Antone Exum and (DT) Shamar Stephen could get decent backup reps.
The negative outlook:
As a whole, I feel that Rick Spielman under-valued the need for a CB and chose to pick some eye-catching big name players. But building a team with big name draft prospects is a strategy that has been done before, the Cowboys and Redskins have been doing it for years. In 3 years time, the potential is there for none of these guys to be on the Vikings roster, that's how risky these guys are. Over-reaching for names, over-trading draft assets, and over-thinking how the draft will shake out is awfully risky business. Overall, this draft class is far from a bad one, but is also far from a good one.
The positive outlook:
As a whole, Spielman has done a masterful job drafting high-upside players at some critical positions. Trading up for what some think is the best QB in the draft, at the backend of round 1, was a critical need for a rebuilding team. In a division that features superstar canon arms like Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler, and Matthew Stafford... the Vikings needed someone who can lead the Vikings out of the cellar of the NFC North. Barr and Crichton will join Everson Griffen and Brian Robison to generate consistent pressure on opposing QBs. While Yankey will help fortify the interior of the offensive line. As many as six rookies will see significant playing time, and will be coached up by two of the best coaches in football.
You can pick what you want to believe.
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