2003 Draft

The Vikings' three biggest needs heading into this season was defensive end, which they addressed very well with the trade for Allen.  This grade includes Allen.  The Vikings got great value in Booty in round 5 and signed two of the the top college street free agents by playing the brother card (one of their players, one from the Titans).  

DRAFT PICKS

Johnson can be a special player.  To prove how much I like him, I drafted him in my fantasy football college draft, which is held the morning before the NFL Draft.  Johnson is extremely strong, has top end speed for a strong safety and is a good athlete.  I can see him pushing Sharper for playing time in the base defense this year.

Booty was a steal in round five.  Worst case he should be a top NFL backup quarterback.  Best case he could be a solid starter.  The Vikings now have short term Jackson-insurance (Frerotte) and long term Jackson-insurance (Booty).  Booty is not a top athlete, and doesn't have a big arm, but is accurate and manages games well.

Guion was good value in round five.  He isn't going to be a top starter, and is not an eventually replacement for Pat Williams, but should develop into as solid sub who can spell starters and hold his own.

Sullivan was thought to be a power player and then only lifted the bar 21 times.  When the numbers don't compute players fall in the draft.  Time will tell if his functional football strength is better than his workout.  If it is, Minnesota has a good player.  If his strength on film was due to the competition he played, than Sullivan may need time to develop on the practice squad.  Wide receiver Paul Hubbard would have been my pick.  He was selected one spot higher than Jaymar Johnson and has a much bigger upside than Johnson.

Speaking of Johnson, he is quick, light receiver who makes sharp cuts and will work out of the slot.  He is not, however, as good as Wade or Allison and may have a hard time making the team.  By the way, Allison is a player I like a lot.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Abdullah is an active safety with a nose for the ball.  He could be a valuable backup and special teams player but faces long odds to stick on the roster.

Griffin is the first brother connection (Michael from the Titans).  He has a better chance to stick because he is more athletic than Abdullah.  However, he isn't as physical.  Griffin does have the size and strength, however, to be "guided" into playing more physically.  Being a free agent could help in that transition since he isn't guaranteed anything.

Henderson is the brother of E.J. and a player I had a third round grade on.  The linebackers were a difficult position to grade this year (after the top few) because measureables didn't line up with film study.  Henderson is a case in point.  On film he looks like a solid, if unspectacular WILL.  His measureables don't project him as fast or quick enough to be a tackle-hound in the NFL.  Therefore, I project him now as a SAM.  He has good strength and smarts, but will have to get better playing off tackles.  And, just a thought.  How does E.J. react if his kid brother is cut loose (not even landing on the practice squad)?

Leman is a strong kid who gets the most out of his abilities.  He has the look of a long time backup, top special teams player, who can fill in and hold his own when called upon.  Pope will have a fight on his hands to keep his backup middle linebacker job.

Reynaud is very similarly graded in my book to Jaymar Jackson.  Like Jackson, he is best suited to the slot, and like Jackson he will have his hands full trying to make the team.

Sumrall is a quick corner with good feet who could be effective in the cover-two scheme.  He is a smart kid and has a nose for the ball picking off 6 passes last year.  Like many cover-two corners, his long speed is suspect.  Sumrall will be interesting to watch in eartly exhibition games.  He also returns punts.

Walker is more physically gifted than Sumrall, but doesn't have his feel for the game.  If the Vikings want a backup corner who will be used more on special teams, Walker gets the edge over Sumrall.   My best guess, Sumrall may be targeted for the practice squad if he doesn't earn the #4 corner position, while Walker either makes the team to play on special teams or gets cut.

Wright was suppose to be a top college quarterback at Miami but that never happened.  He is worth a look in camp and could make the practice squad if he shows anything close to what was expected of him in college.