Pancake Blocks Mock: Pick No. 17
Tim L. up with the Vikings with this pick. Once again proving Pancake Blocks readers have better reasoning and know more about their teams than a lot of the people who get paid to do this stuff.
When the Panthers took Derrick Harvey, all of Viking nation shed a tear. With this edge rusher off the table, the Vikings do not see a DE that makes sense in their Tampa 2 system. Groves is a 3-4 DE/OLB who's undersized as an every down lineman, while Phillip Merling is a "run stopping DE" who most scouts say is not a great pass rusher. With a Cover 2 scheme, speed off the edge is a must so Merling is not the choice. So, even though this is arguably the greatest need for the Vikes, the 17th pick will not be used on this position.
DB could be a choice come April but the best available DB at this pick is Mike Jenkins and as talented as he may be, the Vikes will shy away from another DB with "character issues." (past examples, Fred Smoot and Dwight Smith)
Instead, the Vikes will address the band aid currently being used on the offensive line. Last season the Vikes used Ryan Cook at RT even though Cook's natural position is center. Therefore, the Vikes will select Jeff Otah from Pitt. Otah, a LT in college, is projected to be a RT early in his career. With the QB position being shaky and defenses keying on the run, the Vikes need to make the o-line as strong as possible. In addition, pending the courts decision, Otah may need to fill in at LT for a while depending on the outcome of the McKinnie case/NFL suspension. A line consisting of McKinnie, Hutch, Birk, Herrera and Otah will give the Vikings the solid line protection they had back in the late 90s.
2008 Pancake Blocks Mock Draft
1. Miami Dolphins (Scott L.) - Chris Long
2. St. Louis Rams (Evan Silva) - Glenn Dorsey
3. Atlanta Falcons (Troy Hill) - Matt Ryan
4. Oakland Raiders (Stephen G.) - Jake Long
5. Kansas City Chiefs (Jeremy S.) - Darren McFadden
6. New York Jets (John B.) - Vernon Gholston
7. New England Patriots (Gregg R.) - Sedrick Ellis
8. Baltimore Ravens (Ryan F.) - Leodis McKelvin
9. Cincinnati Bengals (Jacob C.) - Ryan Clady
10. New Orleans Saints (Scott K.) - Keith Rivers
11. Buffalo Bills (James N.) - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
12. Denver Broncos (Taylor C.) - Chris Williams
13. Carolina Panthers (Matthew W.) - Derrick Harvey
14. Chicago Bears (Zone) - Branden Albert
15. Detroit Lions (Adam P.) - Rashard Mendenhall
16. Arizona Cardinals (Scott C.) - Aquib Talib
17. Minnesota Vikings (Tim L.) - Jeff Otah
Comments
This pick might get All Day to the 2,000 yard mark....if he can just stay healthy. Mendenhall to the Lions would be a great FF play, potentially a RB 1 this year. With Favre retiring, if the real draft plays out this way, the NFC North is a toss-up this year.
Posted by: b roo | April 15, 2008 11:54 AM
my thoughts for this draft is maybe its TOO straight and narrow. Its very possible on its outcome to happen this way.
Although thats the route it took. It would have been interesting to see more provocative thinking, just like the K.C. pick instead of the conventional way.
I applaude those with different views and can back it up.
Posted by: abruzzi | April 15, 2008 12:33 PM
I applaud those that can work a computer without reposting 12 times.
I was really hoping Otah would make it down to me at 23 >:(
Hell when this thing started I was sure I was going to get Albert.
Posted by: Matt Grant | April 15, 2008 12:43 PM