All Things 2022 Minnesota Vikings Off-Season Thread


to judge that picture, you would also have to know the listed heights and weights for the other two people.

Someone posted a picture of gymnast Simone Biles standing next to Shaq. She looked like she was 3 feet tall.

it's a matter of perspective. I'm 5'6". before I retired, I had a co-worker who was 6'9". standing next to him, I looked like a munchkin. and I didn't even have a lollipop.
 

NFL combine he measured at 6'3" and 306.


The picture is a little deceiving, and measurement wise Bradbury is comparable to other starting NFL centers. But he still looks small compared to those other centers, even when he's playing. I wouldn't be surprised if he has trouble keeping that weight on, especially in the offseason, and was able to gain it for the combine.
 

The picture is a little deceiving, and measurement wise Bradbury is comparable to other starting NFL centers. But he still looks small compared to those other centers, even when he's playing. I wouldn't be surprised if he has trouble keeping that weight on, especially in the offseason, and was able to gain it for the combine.
Bradbury was just fine, and actually an almost perfect fit, for the Gary Kubiak pulling and zone blocking scheme for which he was drafted. Getting pissed at Bradbury for not fitting perfectly in the scheme of the various OC's that he's been subjected to since Gary Kubiak is not very productive.

Might as well get pissed that Davante Adams doesn't put up huge numbers playing WR for the Air Force Academy football team
 



Bradbury was just fine, and actually an almost perfect fit, for the Gary Kubiak pulling and zone blocking scheme for which he was drafted. Getting pissed at Bradbury for not fitting perfectly in the scheme of the various OC's that he's been subjected to since Gary Kubiak is not very productive.

Might as well get pissed that Davante Adams doesn't put up huge numbers playing WR for the Air Force Academy football team
Wrong. He's been bad his entire career.
 

Bradbury was just fine, and actually an almost perfect fit, for the Gary Kubiak pulling and zone blocking scheme for which he was drafted. Getting pissed at Bradbury for not fitting perfectly in the scheme of the various OC's that he's been subjected to since Gary Kubiak is not very productive.

Might as well get pissed that Davante Adams doesn't put up huge numbers playing WR for the Air Force Academy football team
Sure.

But all you have to do is line a big boy 6'1-6'2 345 who is powerful like a bull, head up on him ... and watch him literally push Bradbury right back into Kirk's lap all game long.
 

Wrong. He's been bad his entire career.
Been good at pull and getting to LB's. I think most would agree with that aspect, but that is just one aspect.

Maybe he didn't have to face many 30 front's or solo-block much on nose tackles in college, so that weakness wasn't exposed. But it certainly has been in the league.
 




so is it bargain bin season now? I'm a Richardson fan, would love to see him back. Or Hicks from the Bears.

Any other options?

Edit: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-100-best-available-2022-free-agents

lots of big names on here. Just dont know how much other teams plan on spending. Also, Gilmore and Fournette have signed
What's been going on the last several weeks is a lot of the guys who were bigger name and bigger dollar guys just a few years ago but are on the tail end of things are coming to the realization that their big contract days are over. It's taking a few weeks to figure out, I'm going to have to take less money than I'm used to.

So heck yes, it's bargain bin season now, but there are deals to be had, and there are more cuts coming and players becoming available in the coming weeks/months.
 

Bradbury was just fine, and actually an almost perfect fit, for the Gary Kubiak pulling and zone blocking scheme for which he was drafted. Getting pissed at Bradbury for not fitting perfectly in the scheme of the various OC's that he's been subjected to since Gary Kubiak is not very productive.

Might as well get pissed that Davante Adams doesn't put up huge numbers playing WR for the Air Force Academy football team

You may be right on run blocking, but that's not the case when he gets blown up on passing plays.
 

When I read the chatter on here about the Vikings going wide receiver in the first round, I scoffed at the idea--but now as I read on cbs sportsline that AJ Brown, Deebo Samuel, and Terry McLaurin are angling for reworked, extended contracts I can only imagine how much $$$ Justin Jefferson's going to be able to demand in a year's time. I'd hate to see him head out, but I can definitely understand the need to not be left with a situation of Bernard Berrian or Sidney Rice as your #1 wideout, in this day and age.
 

WR is one of the most valuable positions in football. Definitely top 5. Those players will earn huge dollars.
 



I know it's just probably part of the endless talk/rumor cycle surrounding the NFL (Draft), but any thoughts regarding rumors of Minnesota trading down with KC?
 

I know it's just probably part of the endless talk/rumor cycle surrounding the NFL (Draft), but any thoughts regarding rumors of Minnesota trading down with KC?

too many questions to have a real clue. We don't know how Kwesi will approach the draft.

Shoot, we don't even know for sure if Kwesi has the final say on the draft. with the new "collaborative" approach, for all we know, they might have to have a committee meeting to decide on every draft pick.

So, at this point, nothing would surprise me. They might trade up - they might trade back - they might stay put.

If you look at the mock drafts for the Vikes, they are all over the board.

I still think that a CB is more likely, so it depends on whether they think they can trade back and still get a good CB.
 


I know it's just probably part of the endless talk/rumor cycle surrounding the NFL (Draft), but any thoughts regarding rumors of Minnesota trading down with KC?
Personally, I'd be surprised if they trade back that far to KC at 29 or 30. I think 17-20 range is more likely if they decide to trade out of the 12 spot.
 




CBs aren't valuable. Drafting them in the 1st round is foolish.

From Pro Football Focus: (FWIW) -- CB is the 2nd-most valuable position....

INTRODUCING PRO-ADJUSTED WINS ABOVE AVERAGE (PAWAA)

To better adjust for NFL positional value when evaluating college players, we created Pro-Adjusted Wins Above Average (PAWAA). PAWAA utilizes the same general methodology as our usual college WAA but replaces the collegiate positional weights with coefficients derived from NFL data.
PAWAA weights rushing, run-blocking and run-defense grades less heavily than WAA and places more value on pass blocking and pass coverage.

The total PAWAA generated by the top 32 players at each position in 2020 can be seen below:


Position2020 PAWAA2020 WAA
QB17.518.2
CB9.368.78
WR7.979.14
HB6.547.00
S6.246.45
LB5.866.82
EDGE4.076.20
TE3.243.83
T3.203.78
DI2.484.71
G2.352.88
C2.022.50
 

The rumors I had seen were 12 for both 29 and 30, or 12 for 29 plus a bag of other picks in 2nd, 3rd, 4th rounds.
If it was me, I'd see if any of the top 6-8 guys are available at 12 and take one if they are. If not and you could get 29 and 30 for 12, I'd be tempted. The value charts show that as a pretty equal deal.
 

From Pro Football Focus: (FWIW) -- CB is the 2nd-most valuable position....

INTRODUCING PRO-ADJUSTED WINS ABOVE AVERAGE (PAWAA)

To better adjust for NFL positional value when evaluating college players, we created Pro-Adjusted Wins Above Average (PAWAA). PAWAA utilizes the same general methodology as our usual college WAA but replaces the collegiate positional weights with coefficients derived from NFL data.
PAWAA weights rushing, run-blocking and run-defense grades less heavily than WAA and places more value on pass blocking and pass coverage.

The total PAWAA generated by the top 32 players at each position in 2020 can be seen below:


Position2020 PAWAA2020 WAA
QB17.518.2
CB9.368.78
WR7.979.14
HB6.547.00
S6.246.45
LB5.866.82
EDGE4.076.20
TE3.243.83
T3.203.78
DI2.484.71
G2.352.88
C2.022.50
Thanks for the correction. I was referring draft value.
 

Thanks for the correction. I was referring draft value.
Why is it not valuable to draft at a position where having a great player gets you the highest wins above an average player outside of a QB?


For example, if you had a stat saying that CB first round draft picks have the highest bust rate of any position, then I would understand your point. Is that what you're saying?
 

Why is it not valuable to draft at a position where having a great player gets you the highest wins above an average player outside of a QB?


For example, if you had a stat saying that CB first round draft picks have the highest bust rate of any position, then I would understand your point. Is that what you're saying?
CBs have a high bust rate.
 



Shama: Vikes Can’t Obsess on First Round CB

What will the Vikings do Thursday night in the first round of the NFL Draft?

Former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond offered advice in a Monday interview with Sports Headliners. “If they are wise, you don’t want to get locked into a certain position of need which we all know is a corner for them.”

Diamond, the NFL Executive of the Year in 1998 when the Vikings went 15-1, learned long ago that “especially in the first round” it’s not prudent to become overly focused on need at a particular position. Unless a team is after a quarterback, take the best player available, he said. Don’t pass on a great player and settle for a good one to fulfill a need.

Diamond, who learned that philosophy from Bud Grant, Jerry Reichow and Frank Gilliam from the Vikings, was president of the Titans after he left Minnesota. With both organizations he believed there are limited opportunities to select a player who was all but certain to become a Pro Bowl level talent. “We always felt there were eight to 10 blue chip players in every draft,” he said.

The Vikings have several needs going into this week’s three-day, seven-round draft. They could, for example, benefit from taking an edge rusher at No. 12. Sports Illustrated’s mock draft has Minnesota selecting Eden Prairie High School and Florida State alum Jermaine Johnson.

Diamond sees Johnson as a top four prospect among edge rushers in this year’s draft. “I think that he’s a guy that has got a lot of talent. I think he runs well and has good effort and all that.”

With the new Vikings’ 3-4 defensive scheme, and injury uncertain for veteran pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith, the franchise could benefit from selecting an edge rusher in the first round and then choosing cornerbacks in the second and later rounds. Diamond suggests the club might follow that path and use the third round pick for a quarterback to compete with backup Kellen Mond (2021 draft).


Skol Vikes!!
 

If both Sauce and Stingley are gone at 12, which is almost certain, I have a weird feeling we go after the best WR on the board. Even with his injury, Jameson Williams is the guy I prefer but any of those guys would be great to have on the field with JJ and Thelen. McDuffie might also be the choice if the Vikes view him close to the same tier as Gardner and Stingley.
 

in the end, the GM will say something like this:

"This is the guy we wanted all along. I can't believe he was still available. He was the top-rated player on our board."

seriously, whatever the Vikings do under the new regime, I just hope they stick to their guns. Evaluate and rank the players. Set up your board, and when your pick comes up, take the highest-rated player available.

if the highest-rated player is at a position of need, great. But don't reach because you "need" a certain position. That is how you wind up with ________________________ (insert name here).

If you think you absolutely need a player at a certain position, but the highest-rated player on your board is at a different position, then instead of reaching, consider trading down.
 




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