I believe Ricky is the best GM in football today with looking at the last 2 drafts and no team has done the job the Vikings have. When I listened to Ricky on the skills that each player we drafted had and how they filled the need that we needed at the position they were drafted for it was brilliant. The flexibility of the O line man, the cover skills of the linebacker, the punter and his skill and character and the D line with the quick move on the first step. AP is in his Prime, the receivers could be something special and the corner backs with the size, speed along with the hard hitting safety's. The O line is all back together and a full back to clear the path for AP. Then there are the tight ends and if Carlson can be healthy and with another year in the system can be what we think he should be we will be a team to contend for the superbowl !!! So it is for Ponder to step up and do his job as he has one more year in the same system and can improve from last year He will be the key for the Vikings to go all the way!!!
Also a side not I listened to Mel Kiper and Todd Shaddy on the best drafting teams this year and not one word about the Vikings!!! No surprise I guess with out being a big sitty and having to kiss up to some of the teams. Also someone wrote a piece on CP and his Football IQ.
Thanks for always giving us things to tell us about the good of our beloved Vikings to make us feel good and not tearing players down. You are the best Arif when it comes to doing this with the Purple!!! Keep up the great work. SKOL VIKINGS!!! Yes I do have purple blood!!!

Hey Arif, I love your articles. Your research is unparalleled. I hope Spielman reads your articles and I am serious when I say that. I was wondering if you were going to do another mock since we have two firsts now and Jennings as well as other FA's. I would love to see your new thinking.

What does Arthur Brown, Da'Rick Rogers, and Tyrann Mathieu all have in common?

I like Michael Williams a lot. I live in Georgia, so needless to say I watch every SEC game. With Williams playing for Nick Saban, he has good blocking skills and has the ability to make catches off play-action. I'm assuming you watched the Senior Bowl, where he got behind TJ McDonald for a TD? His hands are definitely underrated. He would probably be a better pick than Stoneburner just because of his blocking ability, which the current TE corps lacks. It would be hard for me to give Toby Gerhart up for a 4th round pick, that would mean we definitely lost by drafting him. I hate the situation Gerhart is in, in Minnesota. I think he has potential to be a starting running back. I would trade him for a 4th, however, it would definitely have to be an early 4th.

Thanks for the Kevin Williams catch. I got my UFA list from a bad source. I fixed the article. Thanks for the read and the comments.

Alright Arif here's my latest mock draft-

Before you read this take note: The offensive line is not as bad as everyone is always whining and complaining about. They will bring in bodies to compete at camp and that's about it. I would mock one in the later round but until the combine rolls around and I get to see a couple players, I'm not putting one in my mock.



Vikings Draft-
1st NT Johnathan Hankins OSU (6'3, 325lbs)- Hankins is a large man, who could take on double teams. The Vikings run defense has slowly declined since the absence of pro bowl NT, Pat Williams. The last time the Vikings made it the the NFC championship the defense was ranked #1 against the run. The best way to get back to that point will be to replace the players lost.

2nd LB Arthur Brown KSU (6'1 228lbs)- Vikings Tampa 2 defense requires the MLB to drop into a deep zone, which current starter Jasper Brinkley is unable to do. Brown has very fluid hips and drops into coverage extremely well. He maybe undersized but with drafting NT Johnathan Hankins in the 1st round, that should help protect Brown's lack of size.

3rd WR Da'Rick Rogers TTU (6'3 218lbs)- Da'Rick Rogers is a big physical WR. He has great RAC ability and is able to stretch the field vertically. Back in 2009 the Vikings were at their best with WR Sidney Rice out wide. Rogers will provide Ponder with a true #1 WR and will compliment the tough running game with a tough presence in the passing game.

4th WR Stedman BaileyWVU (5'10 195lbs)- The Vikings lack WRs, it obvious. Stedman Bailey comes from a pass happy offense and he is a major contributor to Geno Smith's success. I know the Vikings need bigger WRs but the value of Bailey is too much to pass up. He has great hands and has played on the inside and outside at WVU. He does one thing better than then the current WRs on the roster, he catches the ball. In the West Coast scheme, WRs are asked to run short crisp routes and Bailey can do just that.

4th CB Tyrann Mathieu LSU (5'9 181lbs)- Mathieu is a ball hawk and a game changer. He is physical against the run and resembles a very good CB on the current roster, Antoine Winfield. Mathieu will come in immediately and return punts and play on nickel and dime packages. Watching Marcus Sherels play defense against Green Bay was an eye opener. Mathieu has learned from his mistakes and bringing him into a locker room with great veteran leadership he could be molded into a great young star.

5th TE Jake Stoneburner OSU (6'5 245lbs)- Another TE? Am I crazy? Listen, Carlson is on a front loaded contract so it makes more sense to keep him next season, rather than release him. Stoneburner was recruited out of HS as a WR and is very athletic with great hands. He can line up on the LOS and block as well. If Carlson doesn't play better this season, the Vikings have Plan B in Stoneburner. We'll see a lot more multi-TE sets this season.

7th RB Dennis Johnson ARK (5'9 212lbs)- Dennis Johnson is your traditional 3rd down back. He is great at catching passes out of the backfield and what I like most is his ability to pick up blitzes. He has a lot of power for a smaller running back and presents a lot of upside. He has also returned kicks at Arkansas. With Toby Gerhart becoming a FA next season, it might be smart to plan ahead.

7th OLB Kenneth Tate MD (6'4 220lbs)- Tate is a very intriguing prospect. You can turn on the tape and see he has tons of potential. If he clears out medically at the combine, he could be a great pick up for depth and as a special teams player.

Always look forward to see what you have written Arif. It is interesting, informative, and really well written to keep us informomed. Your passion for what you do is ovious and keep it up!!!!

you have theWORST MOCK DRAFTS FOR THE VIKINGS

Did I not say Te'o is overrated?

Arif, re: the linked statistics question. I need to review your article again but I recall that there were links to some obscure websites that most fans wouldn't necessarily know about. My understanding was that you would need to include the name of the website next to the link. But I'm reviewing that policy to see if there's been any changes. Thanks.