BiggsohNasty's Bye Week Mock

biggsohnasty · Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 315

Following the Bye Week the Vikings finish the season 6-10 and end up with the 12th pick in the NFL Draft. Bill Musgrave, Craig Johnson, and Mike Singletary are not retained.

Coaches brought in

Jim Caldwell- brought over from Baltimore where he will take over the offensive coordinator position. Caldwell is familiar with Frazier and has a history of working with good Quarterbacks in Peyton Manning and Joe Flacco

Hue Jackson- Brought in to replace Craig Johnson as Quarterbacks Coach. Jackson also coached briefly with Frazier in Cincinatti and has history grooming Quarterbacks.

Mark Duffner- Duffner is brought in to replace Singletary as the teams LB/Asst Head Coach. Has a history working with Frazier and is familiar with Alan Williams from days in the AFC South.

Players Resigned

Loadholt: 5 yr 20 million- While a bit inconsistent for many, Loadholt has been a stable OT in a league with alot of bad RTs. I also laugh everytime I see his face so tightly squished against his facemask.

Schwartz: 3 yr 7.5 million- Schwartz has been playing more lately and his versatility makes him, at worst a very good backup swing linemen.

Felton: 3 yr 6 million- Has been a dominant lead blocker this season, and while that is a bit of dying breed, so are bellcow backs...and we have one.

Jefferson: 2 yr 1.5 million- has been a decent pickup thus far and at worst gives us a functional 4th CB. Still has potential at his age.

Sanford: 3 yr 2.25 million

Mitchell: 2 yr 1.5 million

Brinkley: 2 yr 2 million

Asiata: 1 yr 500k

Players Released

John Carlson- A major disappointment as he has been a complete non factor in the passing game, and is overpayed to be an average run blocker.

Michael Jenkins- getting old

Fred Evans- Bad dancer

Charlie Johnson- I would try to restructure and retain him as a backup OT, but I've been underwhelmed with him as an OG thus far.

Antoine Winfield- While Winny has having arguably his best season in purple, I think his age is going to catch up to him and the vikings look in a different direction this offseason. Its not out of the question that he may retire, but if not, I would look to release him and use his money towards a younger CB

Free Agent Signings

Andy Levitre: 5 yr 35 million
[img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTb28LvyqBdBl8EHDMUzEhDwhx9ZbZWN_7IlN_k74diUZ31A3yE.jpg[img]

Levitre has experience playing just about everywhere on the offensive line, but in the last couple seasons he has found a home at LG. Ben Grubbs got a 5 yr 36 million deal this past offseason and I expect Levitre to get a similar deal.

Derek Cox: 4 yr 28 million
[img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ8_FzmeMZt_pipMREpSssStrDWlvNeWRU1IEhBzpBcvUdRtmx8RA.jpg[/img]

Cox has struggled with injury issues in Jacksonville, but when he is healthy, he is a very solid cover CB. Still pretty young and the injury issues keep him from getting a bigger payday and guaranteed money then he may deserve.

Justn Durant:4 yr 14 million
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I anticipate Detroit will have to make a decision between Durant and Levy and in this mock, they choose Levy. Durant is an athletic LB who has 3 down potential and is familiar with new LB coach Mark Duffner. Durant shouldnt cost much money and is firmly in his prime.

Ryan Harris: 2 yr 1.5 million

Signed as a backup tackle.

Trades

Minnesota Trades Toby Gerhart to Cincinnati for 3rd round pick (75-80)

The Bengals have extra picks due to their trade with Oakland last season and are willing to part with a 3rd rounder to get a starting caliber RB in Gerhart. In a weak HB draft, Gerhart has a little extra value.

Minnesota Trades 4th round pick (110-115) to Tennessee for Kenny Britt
[img]https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTFQD00hbvqV3pROlU4Yy-dTanGegAsfNyQpXdEBe2-fs2xyzMX.jpg[/img]

Britt has had off the field and injury issues in Tennessee but comes with considerable upside given his talent level. His contract gives the Vikings flexibility and allows them to treat him as low risk short term option with long term upside if he "proves it"

Draft

Vikings trade 1st round pick (12) to San Fransisco for 1st (25) 3rd (90-95) and 6th round picks.

The 49ers move up in the draft to acquire Matt Barkley who is allowed to sit for a year behind Alex Smith.

1st: Terrance Williams-WR-Baylor
[img]https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSiPzcP4lYPm-zHdH1LUafwnkQqLmlbOUFV-UuwQ4oMHbHq4LW1xA.jpg[/img]

Williams has had a massive season for the Bears and has the size and speed to stretch defenses vertically while also doing damage over the middle. Profiles as a solid #2 WR

Trade

Vikings trade 3rd round picks (79) and (90) to the Carolina Panthers for 2nd round pick (36)

2nd: C.J. Mosely-LB-Alabama
[img]https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSu2iFI-HFQXX-NsqTHe2N7kn5a5DeeY3dGlhnRbdisF0iyQSxP.jpg[/img]

Mosely falls to the top of round 2 and Spielman moves up to get "his guy". With 3 years of experience working in Nick Saban's defense, Mosely comes to the NFL ready to contribute immediately and has major 3 down potential given his coverage skills.

2nd: Kawann Short-DT-Purdue
[img]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9CH8EiROyIa9Y67bm1V3x4bIhu2vpfHBs1hf18G428xziOXuy7A.jpg[/img]

Short drops to the middle of round 2 because of the ridiculous depth featured at the DT spot in this years draft. Short has been a bit hampered by injuries this season but has a lot of talent and is very good at rushing the QB. Kevin Williams moves over to the NT and Short is inserted as the starting 3 tech

3rd: Larry Warford-OG-Kentucky
[img]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTv0rMjoitbz0ETdtRhrglF45iOsXfuNXlc_Rtn5H6vqLdbWrck.jpg[/img]

Warford is a big physical OG who flies under the radar playing at Kentucky. He has 4 years of experience in the SEC. His size and strength make him attractive given the lack of size we have up the middle with Sullivan and the amount of 3-4 defenses nowadays.

4th: Bacarri Rambo-S-Georgia
[img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQHJ6RicuEaNUhaY6fwrA5q2wkUk8LKiYaFtJOFZopKsZDMUrZXDw.jpg[/img]

Steal alert: Rambo has top 40 talent, but drops for 2 reason. Off the field issues, and the insane depth of this years safety class. a 3 year starter for a top 10 defense nationally, Rambo has the size and speed to be an impact safety paired with Harry. He has the ball skills to be a 4-8 int guy and his size allows him to play near the LOS- making the Vikings defense very hard to read pre snap.

5th: Josh Boyce-WR-TCU
[img]https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBN9I9uGfZsmjeURRqtzEyVyz-hv8UdPQGBrBFhd7127sFKBPc.jpg[/img]

Spielman double dips on WR and gets Josh Boyce, a speedy WR from TCU. Boyce profiles as an outside deep threat.

6th: Quanterus Smith-DE-Western Kentucky
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Smith is a small school stud DE who is a bit undersized at around 250 but has the potential to be a very good pass rush specialist.

6th: Marcus Williams-CB-NDSU
[img]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR3BtZrXDJfdVSR23H9aXkqA4K75DyRriF8mf4wuvX35JbgeHmr.jpg[/img]

Williams enters the draft with 1 more year of eligibility due to minor knee issues in college. Arguably the best DB in the FCS ranks, Williams has the potential to be a very good nickel cover corner but falls due to lack of size and injury questions. He also has excellent return potential, so worst case is he is a better Marcus Sherels. Also, I want him to leave, so my intramural basketball team can actually win the championship.

7th: Dion Sims-TE-Michigan St.
[img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSSjxYWb76QG3I8JMK9-ir9SsOFuSkAL_odSrHohs8g45qynUx7.jpg[/img]

Sims is a massive TE at roughly 270lbs and is best served as an extra blocker, but also has decent receiving skills. Not sure if he lasts this long, but if not, just plug in the best available blocking TE.

UDFA: Michael Dyer-kicked off the Auburn football team last season, but was one of the best backs in the SEC in his 2 years there. Sits on the practice squad for a year and replaces Asiata long term.

Depth Chart

Offense
QB: Ponder-Webb-MBT
HB: Peterson-Asiata-Todman
FB: Felton
WR: Britt-Boyce
WR: Williams-Childs
WR: Harvin-Wright
TE: Rudolph-Ellison-Sims
LT: Kalil-Love
LG: Levitre-Asper
C: Sullivan-Fusco
RG: Schwartz-Warford
RT: Loadholt-Harris

Defense
RE: Allen-Smith
UT: Short-Ballard
NT: Williams-Guion
LE: Robison-Griffen
OLB: Greenway-Dean
MLB: Mosely-Brinkley-Cole
OLB: Durant-Mitchell
CB:Cox-Jefferson
CB:Cook-Burton
CB: Robinson-Williams
FS-Rambo-Raymond
SS-Smith-Sanford-Blanton

Specialists
K: Walsh
P: Kluwe
LS: Loeffler
KR: Harvin
PR: Williams

There it is, my 2013 mock offseason. I appreciate any feedback. Typically I struggle with constructing "realistic" mocks, so hopefully I am a year wiser. [/b][/list]

vikingsrule · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 10:00 pm Post subject:

I like the draft picks, good fits for the Vikes.

I am not sure the team would bring in Derek Cox. While Winfield does retire in your scenario, MN would need to be in the market for a slot CB to replace him, something that Cox hasnt played, nor has Josh Robinson. Chris Cook also isnt really a fit as a slot CB. So I dont see the team adding a traditional outside CB to replace Winfield. I think Jefferson will probably get a shot to be the slot CB if Winfield does retire. He has played well in that role as an inside CB.

As for some of the realism, the 49ers wont be taking a QB. They really like Colin Kaepernick and he is there QB of the future.

I also think that is way too much for Geoff Schwartz, 3 yrs, 7.5 million. He will probably be resigned to a cheap 1 year contract to be a backup. Jerome Felton is also slightly overpaid for a FB. He has played well, but even a good FB usually doesnt see much money.

KeithVikings28 · Joined: 21 Sep 2012 Posts: 356

I really don't like the mock draft. Terrance Williams is a waste of a draft pick. He has zero run after the catch ability and normal falls down right after making a catch. If you don't believe me, just go turn on the tape. WR Da'rick Rogers would be a better fit for the offense and he projects to be a true #1 WR.

rpmwr19 · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 16990 Location: Stillwater, MN

Too many trades, not enough Winfield.
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vike daddy · Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 66652

SteelKing728 · Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 10876 Location: Pittsburgh

Probably one of the better mocks I've seen.

Seems like a lot of trades, but atleast they make sense.
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Thanks Jamison on that avi.

2013 Adopt a Minnesota Viking - Jared Allen - DE - #69

vikingsrule · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:46 pm Post subject:

AQuintus · Joined: 16 Oct 2012 Posts: 657

I'm not a fan of any mock that involves bringing back Jasper Brinkley. He's not good enough to justify his salary when we already have Audi Cole at backup MLB.

vikingsrule · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 12:20 am Post subject:

AQuintus · Joined: 16 Oct 2012 Posts: 657

vikingsrule · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 12:31 am Post subject:

biggsohnasty · Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 315

Thanks for all the feedback guys. It seems like the biggest issues people have are with cutting Winfield and resigning Brinkley (lol)

My reasonings for cutting Winfield are probably a product of me living a little bit in the past and seeing the lack of durability. I do agree that he is having a tremendous season and we are doing a much better job schematically of utilizing his skills. Going forward I would not mind not signing Cox and keeping Winfield for another season, but I would remain cautious given his past durability and Cooks lack of reliability (injuries, and off field).

Resigning Brinkley to be a backup doesnt seem all that bad in my opinion. Cole was a 7th round pick, and if he was good enough, I think we'd have seen him by now. Brinkley has been a pretty bad starter, but as a STer and backup LB I'd say hes serviceable.

rpmwr19 · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 16990 Location: Stillwater, MN

Swaps · Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 1682 Location: SKOL!

I dont want to be an [inappropriate/removed]... But I am going to be the 'bad guy'...

it's NOT that difficult to post pictures...

the file needs to end in .jpg or .png (you can post pngs here, right?)

like so.
just take out the space between the forward slash and the "img" tag.
[img]http://mooiness.com/images/fail-hurdle.jpg [/ img]

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"the more I like you, the more I want to smash your face into the ground." -- Jared Allen

thestonedkoala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3801

San Francisco doesn't need a quarterback.

No to Caldwell.