Vikings Picks summary

[The Gopher]

Will update as the draft goes on.
4th - Matt Kalil -- LT -- USC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkoO0efgGy8&feature=plcp
29th - Harrison Smith -- S -- ND
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDZf55pb7Ic
66th - Josh Robinson -- CB -- Central Florida
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPcaP...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQgNy...layer_embedded
118th - Jarius Wright -- WR -- Arkansas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=pA2f__IFjYA
128th - Rhett Ellison -- TE/FB -- USC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=GtQOjdDEXY0
134th - Greg Childs -- WR -- Arkansas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qMqk...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=q34CibNz5Bc
139th - Robert Blanton -- CB/S -- ND
http://www.patriots.com/media-center...d-64ad0ab75460
175th
210th
211th
219th
My takes:
Kalil - The logical pick. Couldn't have missed between Claiborne and Kalil, glad they went with the move that will keep Ponder upright. Charlie Johnson can move inside, this move improves 3 positions. (LT, LG, QB). Also, they picked up 3 extra picks at the expense of the Browns and still go their guy, so this may be the best selection of the draft.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/...lil?id=2533131
Smith - A great fit in the cover 2, Vikings get the #2 safety in a weak safety draft. He will have to really flounder not to be a starter week 1. Any draft you can get 2 starters out of day one is a good draft.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/...ith?id=2532948
Robinson - Vikings channel al Davis and take the fastest guy in the draft. Been clocked sub 4.3 in the 40 time. Also had a great 20 yard shuttle vertical and broad jump. He will likely compete to be a starting corner, but more likely will not open the year at that position. Really like this pick.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/...son?id=2533542
Wright - A burner at WR, gives the Vikings another deep threat. It will be interesting to see if Ponder can develop that aspect of his game. Downfield passing was poor last season, but the wide receivers the vikings ran out there were not very good. Wright is likely in competition for the #4 WR spot in competition with another Arkansas WR the Vikings selected Greg Childs. He also will compete with Robinson for return duties as Harvin is no longer going to be out there.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/...ght?id=2532978
Ellison - When ESPN listed him as a FB I was scratching my head. But he'll likely play an H-Back role. Blocking TE part of the time, lead blocker on other downs. Ok pick. Probably a candidate to end up on the practice squad or not with the team
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/...son?id=2532835
Childs - An Arkansas pipeline is starting to materialize in Minnesota. Vikings get a possession receiver to compliment the downfield threats they've added this offseason in Simpson and Wright. Should compete to be a #4 this season.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/...lds?id=2533334
Blanton - A corner at ND, likely a safety in the NFL. Vikings are getting really heavy with former Irish (Carlson, Rudolph, Smith and Blanton). If Blanton impresses he's going to have a shot at starting. The Vikings are incredibly weak at safety and any new blood will be good for the position. I hope this pick does not mean Abdullah is not re-signed. Despite his concussions I think he has a chance to be a starter
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/...ton?id=2532794
Trade Summary

1. Vikings Receive (From Cleveland): Picks 4, 118, 139, 211 Vikings Lose (to Cleveland): Pick 3
2. Vikings Receive (From Baltimore): Pick 29 Vikings Lose (To Baltimore): Picks 35, 98
3. Vikings Receive (From Detroit): Pick 219, and 2013 4th round pick, Vikings Lose (To Detroit): Picks 138, 2223

[Sascha]

Kalil was the obvious choice, and I think you could have missed with Claiborne. I just don't see the love for him. I don't think he'll be a bad pro necessarily, just never saw what justified him as a top five pick. Don't think he was as good as Peterson last year (who I also felt was overrated a bit) and didn't think he was as good as Haden the year before. I wouldn't have picked Claiborne til about 15th, and I was glad to see the Bucs trade out of #5 and end up with Barron, another player I didn't completely love, but like better than Claiborne.

As for Harrison, he was a late climber, and again, I don't get it. I felt he definitely got overrated late, but that could be due to the severe lack of top safety prospects in this draft and last. You are right though, I think he can fit in quickly with a Cover 2 defense, so if he's going to succeed anywhere, Minnesota is as logical as anything. As long as he lets Pettigrew blow by him 2-3 times a game, I'm fine with it.

[l.a. no-teamers]

You're sleeping on Ellison if you dont think he'll make the team. He's a top shelf special teams player and should make the team on that reason alone.

As far as his skills on offense, that's a bit more debatable but he's very athletic and knows how to highpoint the ball, so he has a chance to be a decent TE2.

But special teams is where he'll make the impact for sure

[The Gopher]

You're sleeping on Ellison if you dont think he'll make the team. He's a top shelf special teams player and should make the team on that reason alone.

As far as his skills on offense, that's a bit more debatable but he's very athletic and knows how to highpoint the ball, so he has a chance to be a decent TE2.

But special teams is where he'll make the impact for sure

I may have been a bit hard on the kid, but it is fair to note that Carlson and Rudolph have the top 2 TE spots locked down. He's competing with a couple of Late round picks in Reisner and Schuler. But both players the Vikings have been high on so a poor camp and he could find himself on his way out the door.

After reading more about him, I'm pretty convinced he'll make the roster, but he's competing at a much deeper position than the other draft picks other than the kicker.

[l.a. no-teamers]

I may have been a bit hard on the kid, but it is fair to note that Carlson and Rudolph have the top 2 TE spots locked down. He's competing with a couple of Late round picks in Reisner and Schuler. But both players the Vikings have been high on so a poor camp and he could find himself on his way out the door.

After reading more about him, I'm pretty convinced he'll make the roster, but he's competing at a much deeper position than the other draft picks other than the kicker.

Again, I think you're missing his whole value. It's on special teams. Any value on offense is a mid/long-term affair