Currently under contract: Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, Bobby Wade, Aundrae Allison, Jaymar Johnson, Darius Reynaud, Glenn HoltThe Vikings know they have a starting WR for years to come in Bernard Berrian, who gave the team its best receiving threat since Randy Moss when he came over in free agency last year, but they are still lacking a consistent number 2 (or 1 if you consider Berrian a better complimentary player). They failed to land T.J. Houshmandzadeh in free agency after surpsringly going hard after him. They didn't bother to bring in veterans Torry Holt or Marvin Harrison as possession guys.
Bobby Wade is a reliable slot WR, but is undersized and not really what you look for in a starter. Sidney Rice may have the most potential on the roster and he has shown flashes, but has been bothered with nagging injuries and hasn't been 100% much at all his first two seasons. Then there's Aundrae Allison, who lit up training camp last off-season, but was invisible for most of the year. While Allison has potential, so does everyone else and until he shows consistency he's not going to get playing time. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a surprise cut come late August.
Behind the top four, there's mostly unproven wide outs that focus mainly on special teams. Glenn Holt has the most experience of the three after spending three years in Cincinnati mainly as a kick returner. He likely will win the return job if no serious competition is brought in. Undrafted free agent Darius Reynaud was promoted from the practice squad last year and did an admirable job returning kicks in the few opportunities he had before being injured himself. Finally, there's last year's 6th round Jaymar Johnson. Johnson spent the entire year on the Vikings practice squad and may have the most long term potential of any of the bubble receivers. Johnson got a crack at the punt return job in the pre-season and made a few nice catches as well, but didn't do enough to warrant a roster spot.
While Berrian, Rice, and Wade are all locks, only Berrian is a lock to start. Look for the Vikings to add another receiving threat in the first half of the draft. In a perfect world, Rice would emerge as the 2nd WR with Bobby Wade and Allison filling in at the slot, but the Vikings can't wait for that to happen. They need another playmaker. Candidates in the draft include Maryland's Darius Heyward-Bey, Florida's Percy Harvin, UNC's Hakeen Nicks, Missouri's Jeremy Maclin, or Ohio State's Brian Robiske among other later round possibilities.
Draft need: Moderate to high
4 comments:
I think Reynaud has the potential to be a playmaker, actually... Holt, not so much. Rice and Allison, jury is still out. Wade is still a solid possession guy, but wideouts of his skillset are easy to come by (Don't be shocked if he's one of those surprise camp cuts). Berrian I like. What about trading down in the first round and getting Kenny Britt and another draft pick? I think he will be a solid receiver, even though he hasn't gotten much attention.
I like the idea and obviously Rick Spielman isn't afraid to trade up or down. He's a big WR like Rice but tougher to bring down. I've read some places that say he compares to Anquan Boldin. Has he moved up draft boards? I think he's projected as a 2nd rounder, but teams often perceive talent differently than draft analysts. Thanks for the feedback.
The WR position is the one that's scariest of all. Heywood-Bey reminds me too much of Troy Williamson. Nick's Wonderlic score, I believe it was 11, kind of sound like the kid could be as dumb as a box of rocks. From what I'm now hearing Harvin character issues and testing positive for pot throws up some major red flags. The other choices would be greater value in the second rounder but a 'reach' in the first. While a trade down in the first and grabbing Britt would be ideal. You need someone to trade with and that may not happen!Finally I think Chilly falls into that Andy Reid moled and He really doesn't like to go WR in the first round unless it BPA. This time I kind of agree!
Thanks Tim. I did hear about Nicks' wonderlic score which is a concern and what is harvin doing with mary jane? c'mon common sense, you're about to make millions man!
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