Vikings 2011 NFL Draft: Analyzing the Highs and Lows

Let me begin by saying that my initial grade for the Vikings draft is: B. Check back in three years to see the true merits of how this draft plays out. My hope is that it turns out to be an A draft, but even to remain as a B would be satisfying. For a look at my Vikings Seven Round Mock, go to: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/646946-vikings-complete-2011-nfl-mock-draft-rebuilding-or-retooling.

Okay, let's get to it.

Round One: Christian Ponder, QB, FSU: I had three guys in my mock: Locker, Ponder and Dalton. I said that if Locker were to go before the Vikings pick (and he was, taken by Tennessee) then Minnesota would have to consider Ponder or Dalton before the QB frenzy began.

Many people have criticized Minnesota's pick, but those criticisms will be tempered when they see how this kid plays. I live in Virginia and we get a lot fo ACC games and I have had the opportunity to watch Ponder play, trust me Vikings' fans, you will like what you are about to see.

While at FSU Ponder put up impressive numbers against good competition, but what I liked most about him was his decision making. If you look at his college stats, you will see that he was a three year starter, his overall passing percentage was 62 percent, but look at his junior year (68 percent) and senior year (62 percent).

Also, his junior year his QB rating was 147.7, and his senior year it was 135.7. Also, over those two years he threw 34 TDs against 15 INTs. For more information on Ponder, go to: www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/christian-ponder-1.html.

Round Two: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame: For the Vikings to get the No. 1 rated TE in the draft says enough.  The only reason I did not have Rudolph on my Viking mock board was because there was no way he was going to be there. I was as happy about Rudolph as I was about Ponder. I thought the Vikings would go D Line in round two and maybe TE in round four, but it worked out to be the opposite.

Rudolph gives Minnesota another option on offense to go with Shiancoe, Rice (I believe he will return) and Harvin. He offers good mobility and stretching the middle of the field. I can foresee a lot of Rudolph deep down the seam and Harvin sneaking those dig routes underneath, or vice versa. I am looking forward to seeing that tandem operate.

Again, critics jumped on the VIkings for not taking a DE or DT in round two, but with Shiancoe in the last year of his contract, there is a possibility that the Vikings are looking beyond 2011 at that position, which is not rare in the NFL; oftentimes the players see the writing on the wall. I like Shiancoe, but Rudolph adds a nice insurance policy.

Round Three: No pick due to the Randy Moss debacle. New England took Ryan Mallett in this draft spot. Ironic, wouldn't you say?

Round Four: Christian Ballard, DT, Iowa. Maybe two Christians have something to do with Frazier and Singletary's faith? Hey, whatever, if divine intervention is needed we'll take it.

Ballard is another solid pick. He was graded out as a second rounder, and I had the Vikings taking either Ballard or Paea in round two, but to see that Ballard fell to the fourth could be a boon. Rumor has it the reason Ballard fell to this point was that he failed a drug test before the combine. Nobody said that D-linemen were rocket scientists.

Ballard offers flexibility and depth and could work his way into being a starter. He certainly has the tools and body makeup for the position, the man just needs to stay off the weed, I guess. With Guion, Kennedy and the Williams duo, we have rotational depth and that bodes well for us.

Also, there is a possibility that Ballard has DE abilities, another added benefit. Oddly, another fourth round pick a year ago, Everson Griffen, should be ready to step in with more playing time this year. If Edwards stays, I like our front. I'll address D'Aundre Reed shortly.

Round Five: Brandon Burton, CB, Utah: Burton is more known for his press coverage, so does that mean the Minnesota is more willing to take a more aggressive approach to the defense and expect their DB's to more man on man coverage? Mike Mayock says that sometimes Burton gets lost and needs to improve his eye to field movement (my embellishment), which is something he can be coached up at the next level.

Burton offers good athleticism and comes from a system very familiar to the Vikings Cover-2 scheme, so he should have an easier time picking up the schemes. Also, Burton will add a lot to the special teams.

Round Six: Pick 168: Demarcus Love, T, Arkansas. The Vikings had several picks to add depth, and perhaps squeeze out a starter? Arkansas has a pro style offense under Petrino (for better or worse), and Love comes from a program that runs and throws, so he should have the skill sets for both run and pass blocking. I like this pick because it adds depth and it makes sense. In today's NFL coaches are usually not afforded all the time in the world to develop a guy, so it becomes imperative that they find guys who fit their system, and the players need to adapt quicker. Love should be a solid backup.

Pick 170: Mistral Raymond, DB, USF. This was an interesting pick. I did not have Raymond on my board, but the Vikings missed out on a few guys I would hope would have dropped, but did not. So, the book on Raymond is his flexibility. He has played multiple positions, safety, corner, and nickel, so he provides more flexibility for MInnesota's defense, and again, not to sound redundant, but it looks like Minnesota wants to get more aggressive, so good athletes who can play multiple positions seems to be the theme in this draft so far.

Pick 172: Brandon Fusco, C, Slippery Rock. Where, you ask? Fusco was ranked the No. 4 center overall in the draft which either says that the position is not deep, or the VIkings got a real steal. The measurables on the guy are pretty impressive at 6'4" 306 lbs. He's played both center and guard, was the D-II Gene Upshaw award winner, participated in the Senior Bowl and more than held his own against D-I competition. Where he winds up on the line is still in the open, but do not be surprised if this kid turns into an eventual starter.

Pick 200: Ross Homan, LB, Ohio State: I had Homan as a late round pick for the Vikings, and was glad to see the Vikings draft yet another in a long line of solid Buckeye Backers. Homan may not have the notoriety of the A.J. Hawk's or Laurinaitis, but he is a solid player who adds versatility to the weak side and may be the eventual replacement for Leber should we lose him in FA. Homan also added ten pounds after the season because he was considered undersized. I am intrigued by his potential.

Round Seven: D'Aundre Reed, DE, Arizona: Of all the picks, I found this one to be the most curious. Reed played on a solid Arizona defense, but was more of a spot player rather than a full time guy. I am not sure what the thought process was. I see Reed as a possible backup, or eventual cut. He is the least impressive of all players chosen at this position throughout the draft of DEs. Maybe they drafted him to satisfy the fans cry for a DE, I don't know.

Stephen Burton, WR, West Texas A&M: As a former Lone Star Conference player I am biased here toward a LSC player, but my bias is trumped by Burton's numbers, athleticism, and potential. I don't want to jump the gun here, but I am reminded of Nate Burleson when I think about Burton. He could be a real sleeper or just another forgotten seventh round pick, but my money is on him being able to contribute, and maybe, just maybe next year step into a role that has been more of a roller coaster the last few years with Berrian, Lewis, and Baskett.

Final thoughts: Maybe it's just me, but we got two Christians and two Burtons. If these four pan out, this draft will be a tremendous success, but I am hopeful for this draft class, moreso than last year's. I think the Vikings are looking at two key areas regarding philosophy. One is the future in Ponder and Rudolph to go along with the young Harvin, Rice and Peterson, and the other is depth to shore up those areas where age might be creeping in, or to challenge some positions where production has not been what it should.

Either way, I am okay with the team's direction, and yes, next year may be a tough one if we don't get a veteran QB to tutor Ponder. I would like to see Hasselbeck come into the fold, but again, it's all about FA and whether Hasselbeck comes to the realization that at best he has one more year, or accept the backup role. I would like to see one or two FA pickups in the back end of the defense (cream of the crop is Asomugha, but there is Brian Williams, ATL, or Rogers, Washington), and maybe even a WR (Vincent Jackson or Malcolm Floyd from the Chargers, or James Jones from Green Bay), especially if we lose Rice. You can go to: http://www.footballsfuture.com/ for more information.

As they say in the beer commercial (no endorsement here): Here We Go!