Minnesota came into the draft with maybe the worst offense in the league. Thankfully they spent most of Saturday and Sunday finding playmakers for young quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. If Brady Quinn ends up being a Pro Bowler the decision to pass on him will look bad, but coach Brad Childress believes in Jackson's ability.The Good: There were concerns going into the draft that the Vikings would be left without any good options at No. 7. But when Adrian Peterson started to slide, Minnesota picked up the draft's best running back, a potential stud, in Adrian Peterson. And because wide receiver was the deepest position in the draft, Minnesota was able to wait until the second round to fill its need at wideout with Sidney Rice. The Vikings threw numbers at their wideout problem, taking Aundrae Allison and Chandler Williams in later rounds.
The Bad: Peterson's collarbone could be a continuing problem, but Minnesota seems willing to be patient with Peterson to land a running back of his talents. With Chester Taylor still around to start, Minnesota doesn't have to stick Peterson into the starting lineup immediately, so that's not a problem. Third-rounder Brian Robison wasn't a particularly productive player in college, but he had a great combine workout and he was a very productive special teams player in college.
The Grade: B+.
Minnesota needed to inject some speed and big-play ability into its offense. Peterson, Rice and Allison should do that, even if the wide receivers can't be expected to step in and start right away. They could have used more help at linebacker in this draft, but they opted to add Allison in the fourth round when he was the best value on the board.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Going into the draft, the Vikes biggest needs were WR (a desperate need), CB (the really need depth at corner), and DE (though they need an improved pass rush, this wasn't a desperate need--just something they could try improve at). They managed to draft 3 WRs, 1 CB, and 1 DE. So, yay.
I looked back to see how the top RB selected fares year by year. Usually, the team that takes the first RB off the board is pleased with what it gets. I'm pretty happy with Adrian Peterson.
When I saw that Cleveland had passed on Adrian Peterson I had a feeling he would be the Vikings pick for the taking and I'm so glad I was right....He is fast, quick, great athelete...Sure he has a little collar bone problem but that I'm sure will heal in time....I think he'll be a great addition the Vikings and can't wait to see him play in his first preseason game.
Using a No. 7 pick on the oft injured Peterson was a mistake. Running back is not Minnesota's major need.
Vikes had a great draft in picking up future all-pro tailback Adrian Peterson, not flinching in grabbing Sdney Rice (the best fit, despite the fury over frustrations with former fellow-WR-Gamecock Troy Williamson), and unpolished gem Brian Robison (moved to LB) in the 4th. These three will shine within the next couple years.
Just a subtle disappointment was the later round fixation at wideout...c'mon now, does sucky guard Artis Hicks hold incrimminating pictures of Brad Childress? They picked up NO linemen for their putrid right side! Iowa OG Marshal Yanda screamed selection for them in the third round (Marcus McCauley??), and for my money, mercurial DE Marcus Thomas would have been well-worth rolling the dice with their second pick in the fourth...let's not get SO carried away with this choirboy movement. The Pats are showing that, once in a while, you have to be able to risk giving outstanding talent a 2nd chance.
But Minnesota really made it happen where it counts most -- in the top rounds. Kudos, best draft in several years!
I'm pretty pleased with this draft, especially picking up Rufus Alexander in the 6th round. I saw him play several times in college, and believe he will be a surprise impact player.
Peterson will not be a Bettis or LT-type running back, in fact, he will probably turn out like Brian Bosworth. All show and no production. He was shut down many times in a weak BIG XII conference and was the ONLY Oklahoma running back getting the ball to run up the numbers. Speed yes, durability no!
long time vikes fan and pleased with the draft pickup needed help a/p can be used like the saints did with their two backs taylor won't wear down so fast, still need passrusher, wr right o-line and cb might have some lost time there after the leauge gets a hold of them still liked this draft better than years before
Congrats to the Vikes for a very solid draft!!!!!! I'm very excited they got Adrian Peterson!
I'm going to have so much fun watching him kick the NFC North's tail at the dome!!!! I think Rice was the right call as well. Good hands and leaping ability. We we're terribe in the red zone last year in part because no on could go up and get the ball. I think McCauley will regain his form. I also like Allison as a pick up in the 5th round. He may help in the return game. It's time for childress to open up the Vike's offense and let the kids play. Open it up Brad!!!!!!!!!! It should be more exciting for us fans if he let's them play ball and make plays. Forget the Brad Johnson dump off passes. He's gone! If the line sucks as bad as last year, at least T Jackson can move and use some of these new speed weopans we have. Come on Troy williamson, we need you to open your eyes! We need you bro! Go Vikes
11 and 5
This goes out to Bill..You are so wrong about Adrian Peterson who is going to bring alot to the Vikes.Don't knock Bosworth either.He was notorious in his days. Shut down in the Big XII? not always,remember the BIG XII is the toughest conference in college. I think you need to look up what durability means. At the end of the season you will know why they call him "All Day".To all of you Vike fans your getting a treat.Good Luck to you guys!
The vikes getting a C- was eye opening. If you look at the NFC & AFC finalists all four had a two back system. The Vikings by Adding Adrian Peterson to split carries with Chester Taylor was a very wise decision, Peterson is the gamebreaker that the vikes offense needs. The vikes have been somewhat ridiculed for passing on Brady Quinn but why? If he was such a hot prospect in the eyes of NFL Teams wouldn't the Dolphins had taken him or wouldn't multiple teams have tried to trade up before he was taken at 22? Sidney Rice at 41 was a nice pick, he will need a year or two of seasoning but barring injury would have been one of the top wide recievers taken in the '08 draft. Marcus Mccauley fits the cover 2 that was installed last year, he's a big corner that may fill in on some nickel this year, Bryan Robinson had numbers all three seasons prior to his senior year when he was injured, he was a 4th round pick, the vikings get critized for taking a work out warrior but you know look at what round he was taken in if he does bust big deal he wouldn't be the first or last 4th rounder not to make it. Aundre Allison was a steal in round 5 the guy is a playmaker and will help stretch the field, i could see him making a bigger impact that Rice this year. Rufus Alexander is on the smaller side but was a 1st team all american linebacker that will help on special teams and could develop into a weak side linebacker if Greenways knees decide they don't want to hold up. Tyler Thigpen, well he's going to be a practice squad guy, The other WR we got from Florida international may help on returns but i don't see him making the squad. All in all, I give our draft a B+. With that being said i still think this team is a year or two away from being a serious NFC contender.