Vikings Draft Wrap
A rundown of the Vikings’ five draft picks:
Second Round, 43rd Overall: S Tyrell Johnson/Arkansas St.
Johnson is a fearless, reliable tackler who is especially explosive when the play is in front of him. He sees the field well and plays an aggressive style of football. A common question mark raised surrounding Johnson is the level of competition he faced in college, but it’s worth noting that he performed impressively against Texas and Tennessee in his senior year.
Against the Longhorns last season, Johnson compiled eight tackles, forced a fumble, and picked up an interception. Meanwhile, he made eight tackles, forced a fumble, and intercepted another pass against Tennessee. Yeah, he played for a small school, but make no mistake about it — Johnson will be just fine at the NFL level.
And, for what it’s worth, Mel Kiper thinks he has a chance of being a Pro Bowler three or four years down the road.
[For a complete recap of the pick, click here]
Fifth Round, 137th Overall: QB John David Booty/USC
Booty’s an intriguing prospect. He’s well-regarded by scouts for his accuracy and sound throwing mechanics, and as Chilly said in an interview with the ESPN draft crew, Booty made many throws with USC that are comparable to the throws he’ll need to make in the Vikings’ offensive system.
However, Booty makes too many poor decisions with the football (10 interceptions in 10 games last season), and tends to struggle when he’s put under pressure. His decision making ability is undoubtedly something that he must improve to become a serviceable NFL quarterback. That said, he should fit in well with the Vikings’ west coast offense, and will ultimately provide solid support for Jackson as your prototypical pocket passer.
[For a complete recap of the pick, click here]
Fifth Round, 152nd Overall: DT Letroy Guion/Florida State
Pat Williams isn’t getting any younger (he’ll turn 36 in October), so I can see the logic behind using a late-round pick on a defensive tackle. However, Guion’s draft stock took a considerable hit after a poor performance at the Combine, making it unclear if he was worth the fifth-rounder. To be fair, though, it’s widely considered that Guion’s draft luck would have been much better if he had spent another season in school, and that certainly implies that there is plenty of opportunity to develop this kid.
I would have preferred some offensive line depth with this pick in the draft, but let’s face it — when you get into the later rounds, the draft becomes a total crapshoot. It makes sense for the Vikings to pursue a replacement for Spencer Johnson, and Guion has a chance to fill that role. I can see the logic behind the pick, even if the Vikes would have been better-served focusing their attention elsewhere.
Sixth Round, 187th Overall: C John Sullivan, Notre Dame
Known for his smarts and and high football IQ, Sullivan went through some struggles as a senior and this caused his draft stock to take a hit. He doesn’t have the strength of the average NFL center, prompting concern that he might be a liability in run protection. However, Sullivan nevertheless has a chance to be a starter in the NFL because he excels when defending against the pass rush.
The nice thing about the center position is that you can take a flyer on someone in the sixth or seventh round, and there will be a decent chance that he’ll turn into a quality piece of your offensive line. If Sullivan’s ‘great football mind’ can help him overcome his lacking physical tools, he has a chance of becoming Matt Birk’s replacement. The odds of that actually happening are unknown, but as long as Sullivan can return to his pre-2007 form, his prospects to contribute at the NFL level should be pretty good.
Sixth Round, 193rd Overall: WR Jaymar Johnson, Jackson State
With excellent speed, Johnson might just become the Vikings’ kickoff/punt returner for next season. Mewelde Moore is in Pittsburgh, and Chilly would be bats*it insane to give Adrian the ball on kickoff returns again next season…so, with those two factors under consideration, you’ve gotta believe that a guy like Johnson could find himself some playing time as a returner (he averaged nearly 11 yards per punt return for Jackson State last season).
On offense, Johnson primarily serves as a deep threat, and although it’s pretty damn easy to solely focus on his excellent speed, it’s also worth noting that he has good hands. Can he make the leap from a small school to the professional game? That’s questionable. But the kid has potential to contribute, especially on special teams.
Couple Questions:
First of all, what was the Vikings’ best and worst pick? I REALLY like the selection of Tyrell Johnson, but I haven’t seen much to suggest Letroy Guion is a viable prospect at the NFL level. Also, what grade would you give the Vikes for this year’s draft? I’ll be back Monday evening to grade the draft, but I’d be very interested to hear what grade everyone thinks this team has earned.
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16 Responses to “Vikings Draft Wrap”
April 27th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Well, my first thought is that for a team that is constantly proclaiming that you build through the draft thay sure did give alot of it away. I understand the Allen deal esp. after what Jacksonville gave up to get Harvey. I would be lying though if I didn’t think they somewhat morgaged the future of this team. With so few picks left, to move up 4 spots and grab Tyrell Johnson, and losing a fourth round pick sure seemed steep to me. Booty in the fifth could be ok, but again losing a pick i’m not sure. The 7th round had Marcus Monk, Brandon Keith, King Dunlop, and Lionel Dotson, all decent talent avialable for the pick we traded. I’m not sure that Booty or Johnson would have still been there if they didn’t trade up to get them, I just think that this team had more needs than a safety and a fifth round quarterback. Overall I’d grade this out as a D, not for the talent so much as for abandoning their own draft philosphy.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:38 am
How do you figure they’ve “mortgaged the future” of this team? The most admirable aspect of the deal that the Vikings made to bring Allen here was that they limited the draft impact to this year. Therefore, if they end up struggling this season, they will be able to address positions of need through the 2009 draft.
Calling the trades they made to move up in the draft a mortgage on the future is a bit of an exaggeration. I also think you’re playing down this year’s draft class. The team received more than “a safety and a fifth-round quarterback”. Sullivan was a steal when the Vikings selected him, and Guion will provide valuable depth behind Kevin and Pat Williams.
In essence, Jared Allen was the Vikings’ first-round pick this year. I really don’t think that any Vikings fan can be upset about that. It’s hard to argue that the Vikings didn’t make an investment in the future when you consider that he’s only going to be twenty-six when the 2008 season starts.
Finally, the Vikings made a huge splash in the UDFA pool after the draft by bringing in sixteen players. Chances are good that the bulk majority of these guys will be released before training camp or placed on the practice squad. But, you never know…
April 28th, 2008 at 9:20 am
In a sense.,. I kinda agree with the first post made. I think I’ve been somewhat vocal on the boards that i didn’t exactly agree with the first pick we made when a TE was on the board and we gave up another pick(4th round) to do so,, but what even burns me more is that we made two moves to get safetys in free agency.
I’m not exactly sold on Sullivan due to the fact that Notre Dame was nothing less of horrible, and their line is no better. I’m not saying Sullivan was horrible, but there was nobody who stood out to me while watching them (And yes I did watch them, it is a shame how they get national airtime, that is for another topic.) Instead of another center I would have prefered a right tackle.
I’m not too critical of picking up Guion due to the fact that he will push Whyms our free agent DT for some competition. And at this point in the draft the later picks should do just that. Or get practice squad players
I have no issue with the booty trade.
And I do not think Jaymar Johnson will make the team due to the fact A2 is out KR/PR
As I said in an earlier post, I think the benefit of getting the 2007 sack leader is the only reason I am giving this draft a C- due to the fact that none of these guys (MAYBE Tyrell, not Booty) are going to see the field unless it is a blow out. And we do not have any long term solutions at any positions where we’re aging (With the exception of Tyrell) Go vikes.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I also forgot to mention that the vikings also signed NT Kendrick Allen this offseason.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Tyrell Johnson will immediately see the field on special teams, which was a liability for the Vikings last season.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:14 am
OK Rubes let’s get something straight re the “4th Round Pick” the Vikes “gave up” to move up from 47 to 43.
Vikes traded 47 and their 4th to Phil for 43 and Philly’s 5th.
That secured S. Tyrell Johnson (Mayock and Kiper both had as #1 Safety)
Then trade a 5th and a 7th to draft Booty.
Would anybody have complained if the Vikes used their original 4th on Booty? Didn’t think so.
Did anybody care about the 7th? No, especially when looking at the undrafted free agents signed.
IMHO MN did an outstanding job adding depth through the draft … Especially after getting Allen for fewer pick value than it would have cost to move up to get the unproven Harvey.
GE
April 28th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Well, I’d like to say first and foremost I thought the Vikings should have poison pilled the Allen deal AFTER the draft and given up a 2009/10 first round picks, and keeping all of their 08 draft. If the vikings were to make the playoffs these picks would be in the 26 to 30th range. Not saying that that isn’t a bit of a mortgage in and of itself, just that it wasn’t so immediate, and the chance to move up in subsequiant drafts with a 2nd 3rd 4th and so on would give you more picks TO move up if needed. The value and sheer quality of picks missed this year in the 1st and third rounds alone could be remarkable for a team needing a quality OT, DE (James is still a ?,Edwards is solid, and Robison COULD be good), DT and WR, all of which are still needs IMO. Don’t get me wrong here I love Allen I just think we could have had our cake and eaten it too. Then again look at the Pats draft last year they had like 9 picks and only 2 guys made the team, thats why this game is so fun.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:38 am
You’re concerned about mortgaging the future but you thought the Vikings should have poison pilled Allen to give away their first-round choices in 2009 and 2010?
Those two ideas really seem to be at odds to me.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:48 am
BTW the safety class this year was also rated a D by most every draft guru, so it’s a bit of a misnomer to think Johnson is going to be some sort of small school stud. I personally think Reggie Smith would have been a better pick, can play either corner or safety, and ohh he went in the 3rd round. Time will tell.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Again, both ways you are trading futures for the now, and right now we needed the 4 picks we lost in this years draft. That and the fact that with so many Jr.s coming out this year the 09 draft looks to be VERY weak. IMO the vikes are 4 players short of developing for next years run at the big game.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I believe it’s far to early to tell if the 2009 class is going to be weak, though. I heard similar statements about this year’s draft about the same time last year.
Also, draft experts can rank entire classes of a particular position but that doesn’t necessarily indicate that there are no talented players available. Consider that draft experts generally base their knowledge primarily off of opinion. For every draft expert that you can find panning a prospect, you could find another that pumps them up.
I’m curious, is there a particular player that you wanted the Vikings to select? I just don’t think that there were any players out there that would have impacted as much as Allen is going to impact the team.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
As I said in my second post, I did want Allen but an offer after the draft would have cost the Vikes 2 first round picks in 2009/10, instead of a 1st and Two 3rd this year, 3 picks I wish we would have had. With those picks some of the players available would have been:
1st Rd.
Phillip Merling
Sam Baker
Jeff Otah
Gosder
Mike Jenkins
Joe Flacco
3rd Rd.
Dan Conner
Craig Stevens
Reggie Smith
Pat Sims
Early Doucet
Dejuan Morgan
Antwan Moulden
Jeremy Zuttah
Now add in that some of the players available to us that were selected in round two included:
Trevor Laws
Mike Pollack
Calais Campbell
Brian Brohm
Chad Henne
Fred Davis
Malcom Kelly
Quenton Groves
Now, if you could have Allen and could have picked from these players as well, I think we would have had a stellar draft AND stayed true to the vikings self proclaimed philosophy of building through the draft.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
But, specifically, who were you hoping they’d choose? Are you suggesting that Phillip Merling or Jeff Otah (the two players the Vikings would most likely have chosen) and two third-round choices are the difference between a Super Bowl berth and being sent packing?
Because it seems that you’re suggesting that the Vikings could only have made a serious run at the Super Bowl with all of their picks from this year.
This years draft class was good, but it wasn’t that good.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:07 am
I get a queasy feeling to draft special teams players with the first pick we have. Esp when we picked up two free agents in the same position.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Listen, what I am suggesting is they follow the draft strategies of proven winners, like the Packers or the Colts who covet draft picks, not follow the likes of the Redskins or as of late the Broncos.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:33 am
Chef, I’m forced to disagree with you too. Giving up two future 1st round picks is absolutely the opposite of what you’re trying to argue. We don’t know what our needs are going to be 1 and 2 years from now, and handing out 1st round picks is like aiming a loaded gun straight at your foot.
That being said, I think the Vikings had a decent draft. I also question the decision to pick a S with our first pick, considering we’d just gotten one through FA. But, I think he’ll be a good investment in the future, and depth is not a bad thing in the secondary.
I also like Booty, so we’re not leaving all our eggs in the Tarvaris basket, though I’m nervous about Botty’s football IQ.
I would give the Vikings a B for the draft, but only if you include Jared Allen as part of it. (Which I do)
Go Vikes!
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