Minnesota Vikings draft thoughts

Hi Readers, well the draft came and went and over the weekend I came and went to move out of my apartment. I have been catching up with work and have been staying away from my blog.

The Vikings drafted a wide spread of players and now I am going to do a evalution of what I think of them:

Chad Greenway OLB Iowa: He is the complete package fast, smart, knows when to attack and stay back. He is a character guy who wants to play for the Vikings and is from South Dakota. Personally I love this pick and on many of my early draft boards I had the Vikings picking him. His numbers in college included Senior totals included 156/10/1 with one interception and eight defenses. Junior numbers included 113/8/3, when he also intercepted three passes.

Cedric Griffin CB Texas: A younger taller version of Brian Williams he is 6-0 and knows how to hit people hard. He is not the fastest cornerback in the draft but works well in a cover 2 system. His numbers in college included Four-year starter used at both corner and safety. All-Conference selection as a senior after 86 tackles and 15 pass defenses. Junior numbers included 68/2/6. Outstanding special-teams player throughout college.

Ryan Cook C/OG/OT New Mexico: This is a puzzling pick I had Cook as the fifth best center in the draft. I had him going in the late third early second round of the draft. I think the Vikings picked him because they knew they were going to give up the two third round drafts for Jackson. Former walk-on awarded All-Conference honors every season since moving into the starting lineup as a sophomore. A solid-sized lineman with growth potential, Cook has made definite strides the past three seasons.


Tarvaris Jackson QB Alabama State: The mystery player of the draft I had him going in the fifth round and actually thought he might not be drafted. Vikings wanted Jackson so bad that they gave up there two-third round draft picks to get him. He has a giant arm he college coaches say he has the strongest arm that they have ever seen. A two or three year project but has all the skills to be a top quarterback. Second-team All-Conference selection who totaled 60.9%/2,941/29/5 as a senior.


Ray Edwards DE Purdue: Here is a guy who had character issues but the Vikings took him in the fourth round of the draft. I had Ray Edwards going in the third round. He is a monster on the field, Flashes quickness off the snap, plays with good pad level and makes plays laterally. Fast off the edge, has a closing burst and redirects to ball handlers. Tough to handle once he gets the first step on opponents. He was a top number one draftee in 2004, but fell off the wagon. I love this pick lots of potential.

Greg Blue S Georgia: This is a special teams selection and with the Vikings only having Darren Sharper, Tank Williams, Willie Offord, and Dustin Fox on the roster and all four have injury problems this was a safe pick. Explosive run-defending safety who is best between the hashes. Breaks down well, is fast in all directions and flashes on the scene. Strong at the point, goes for the knockout blow and wraps up tackling. Fine athlete who makes a lot of difficult plays. Two-year starter awarded All-Conference and All-American honors last season after career-best numbers of 88/2/5. Posted 80 tackles as a junior. I like this pick but one of these safeties isn't going to make this team or switched to a corner or linebacker.