Michael Bennett | If I Were GM

Draft Preview

Posted on January 18, 2015 by borm0034

(DeVante Parker – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)

Minnesota’s general manager Rick Spielman is doing a good job of making his own job easier. Unlike last offseason, the Vikings are entering the offseason without any glaring holes on their roster that need to be filled.

As of now, the positions that could use the most upgrading include linebacker, cornerback, safety, offensive line, defensive end, wide receiver, defensive tackle and barring the Adrian Peterson situation, running back. While some of these positions will be addressed in free agency, lets take a look at the prospects who are projected to be drafted in round one at the Vikings positions of need:

Inside Linebacker

Bernardrick McKinney (Mississippi State) – 6’4, 249 pounds

Outside Linebacker

Vic Beasley (Clemson) – 6’2, 235 pounds
Shaq Thompson (Washington) – 6’2, 231 pounds
Dante Fowler Jr. (Florida) – 6’2, 261 pounds

Cornerback

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Oregon) – 5’9, 195 pounds
Trae Waynes (Michigan State) – 6’1, 183 pounds
Marcus Peters (Washington) – 6’0, 198 pounds
P.J. Williams (Florida State) – 6’0, 196 pounds

Safety

Landon Collins (Alabama) – 6’0, 222 pounds

Offensive Tackle

Brandon Scherff (Iowa) – 6’5, 320 pounds
Andrus Peat (Stanford) – 6’7, 312 pounds
La’el Collins (LSU) – 6’5, 321 pounds
T.J. Clemmings (Pittsburgh) – 6’5, 305 pounds
Cedric Ogbuehi (Texas A&M) – 6’5, 300 pounds
Ereck Flowers (Miami, FL) – 6’5, 324 pounds
Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame) – 6’6, 318 pounds

Defensive End

Randy Gregory (Nebraska) – 6’6, 245 pounds
Shane Ray (Missouri) – 6’3, 245 pounds
Alvin Dupree (Kentucky) – 6’4, 267 pounds
Nate Orchard (Utah) – 6’4, 255 pounds
Danielle Hunter (LSU) – 6’6, 240 pounds
Arik Armstead (Oregon) – 6’7, 296 pounds

Wide Receiver

Amari Cooper (Alabama) – 6’1, 210 pounds
DeVante Parker (Louisville) – 6’3, 209 pounds
Kevin White (West Virginia) – 6’3, 210 pounds
Dorial Green-Beckham (Oklahoma) – 6’5, 225 pounds
Jaelen Strong (Arizona State) – 6’3, 215 pounds
Devin Funchess (Michigan) – 6’5, 230 pounds
Sammie Coates (Auburn) – 6’2, 201 pounds

Defensive Tackle

Leonard Williams (USC) – 6’5, 298 pounds
Danny Shelton (Washington) – 6’2, 332 pounds
Eddie Goldman ( Florida State) – 6’3, 320 pounds
Malcolm Brown (Texas) – 6’4, 320 pounds
Michael Bennett (Ohio State) – 6’2, 288 pounds

Running Back

Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) – 6’1, 207 pounds
Todd Gurley (Georgia) – 6’1, 226 pounds

As you can see, the Vikings will have plenty of talent to choose from in round one. With this year’s draft being deep, the likeliest move for the team is to draft the best player available (at pick #11) or trade down if they find the right deal.

It should be noted that there are no guards projected to be taken in the first round. If the Vikings want to make an impact acquisition at guard to protect Teddy Bridgewater, they will likely have to address the position in free agency.

My choice for round one: WR DeVante Parker, Louisville

Vikings: $29 Million Under The Cap

Posted on February 9, 2014 by borm0034

After the release of linebacker Erin Henderson and the departure of Matt Cassel, the Minnesota Vikings are now $29,123,286 under the salary cap, according to OverTheCap.com. That means the Vikings will have the money to pick up at least two big-name free agents this offseason.

The Viking’s most glaring positions of needs are QB, CB, LB, DT, DE, LG, and S. Let’s take a look at the free agents the team will be targeting:

QB – Unfortunately the Vikings will not get much help at quarterback via free agency. Michael Vick, Matt Schaub and Matt Flynn top the list of best available QB’s. One of these three would make the most sense if the team wants to bring in a veteran to compete for the starting job. They could also reach out to free agent Cassel in the hopes he returns to the team, but chances are Cassel signs elsewhere.

CB – Cornerback is perhaps the deepest position in free agency, which is welcome news to the Vikings. I expect them to make a big offer to one of the top free agent corners, such as Vontae Davis (IND), Aqib Talib (NE), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (DEN), Alterraun Verner (TEN) or Sam Shields (GB).

LB – Linebacker doesn’t have much to offer as far as top talent. Brandon Spikes (NE), Jon Beason (CAR), Desmond Bishop (MIN), Dan Connor (CAR) and Keith Rivers (NYG) lead an underwhelming free agent LB group.

DE – There are a plethora of edge defenders in free agency and the Vikings badly need one. Greg Hardy (CAR) tops the list but he will likely receive Carolina’s franchise tag. After him there is still Michael Johnson (CIN), Brian Orakpo (WAS), Michael Bennett (SEA), Justin Tuck (NYG), Lamarr Houston (OAK), Jason Worilds (PIT) and Everson Griffen (MIN). If the Vikings can’t re-sign Griffen it would make sense for them to try to pick up one of these pass rushers to replace Jared Allen. There have already been rumors of the team being interested in signing Johnson.

DT – The Vikings needs to find an interior lineman to pair with their first pick from last year, defensive tackle Shariff Floyd. Linval Joseph (NYG), B.J. Raji (GB), Henry Melton (CHI), and Arthur Jones (BAL) are the top free agent defensive tackles. It’s tough to see the Vikings paying top dollar for a free agent DT when the draft is so deep at the position. They will likely go with a cheaper option. Longtime Viking Kevin Williams is a free agent and could be an option of last resort if the team is unable to land a run stopper through free agency or the draft. However, it’s very possible he retires this offseason as he will be turning 34 years old.

LG – Left Guard is a weak position in free agency. Richie Incognito (MIA), Chad Rinehart (SD), and Geoff Schwartz (KC) are the only clear upgrades over former starter Charlie Johnson. If the Vikings can’t sign a top guard in free agency it might be best to sign and convert one of the younger tackles available, like Eugene Monroe (BAL), Anthony Collins (CIN), Bruce Campbell (CAR) or Michael Oher (BAL).

S – There are some very good free agent safeties this offseason. T.J. Ward (CLE), Jairus Byrd (BUF), Donte Whitner (SF), Taylor Mays (CIN), and Malcolm Jenkins (NO) are all very talented options the Vikings could sign to play opposite Harrison Smith. Adding any one of these free agents would give the Vikings one of the best safety duos in the NFL. Safety is NOT a deep position in this year’s draft.

WR – While receiver is not an immediate need for the Vikings, adding a free agent wide-out this offseason is not out the of the question. The most intriguing options include former Minnesota Gopher Eric Decker (DEN), Jeremy Maclin (PHI), Riley Cooper (PHI), Kenny Britt (TEN), Devin Hester (CHI), James Jones (GB), Robert Meachem (NO), and Hakeem Nicks (NYG).