Report: Vikings 'shopping' CB Trae Waynes https://t.co/J5YywaTnQV

— Rotoworld Football (@Rotoworld_FB) February 28, 2019

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This has to be a joke right? Are there people out there who think this is a good idea?

IF I was Rick Spielman I would be looking to trade both Trae Waynes & Xavier Rhodes, my goal would be to get an above average offensive tackle, then using the extra picks we should be able to move up 8 spots to draft Devin White who would be a great replacement for Barr

— PSG (@PSG_NBA) February 20, 2019

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Good luck. He’s due 9mm this year. Vikes might just have to cut him. (Bummer of a reality)

— Jon Merckle (@thevikingpig) February 28, 2019

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FOLKS. Trading Trae Waynes would be a bad idea. Here are just a few reasons:

1. He’s pretty damn good and getting better year by year

Per @PFF, #Vikings CB Trae Waynes, 26, has played at least 500 snaps/year since 2016. He's improved his overall grade each season to a career-high 69.1 in 2018. Waynes has been among the top CBs in the league in run defense. His 27 run stops since 2016 are second at the position.

— Sean Borman (@SeanBoarMan) February 16, 2019

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Never thought Trae Waynes would be able to protect his edge in run support either w that thin frame..Had to assume guys like Eddie Lacy would destroy him on tosses/screens

Waynes has quietly only been one of the best run defenders in the game at his position for multiple seasons https://t.co/D5rjJELIxP

— Luke Inman (@Luke_Spinman) February 16, 2019

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2. In case you haven’t noticed the rest of the Vikings cornerbacks all have varying degrees of question marks. Xavier Rhodes had a “down year” and was banged up at various points during the season. Mike Hughes will be coming off ACL surgery. Mackensie Alexander had a good year but that was his first one.. and Holton Hill played well for stretches but is largely unproven. Cornerback depth matters, and trading Waynes would deplete that group in the event of another significant injury next year.

3. I know Waynes has a pretty hefty cap number when his option kicks in. But that is far more preferrable to some suggested alternatives:

#Raiders Kelechi Osemele available via trade. Straight swap #Vikings Trae Waynes for Osemele not crazy.

Mike Mayock & Vikings Rick Spielman have tremendous relationship. Have discussed Osemele to MINN. Vikings will pursue top FA guards first.

— Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) February 28, 2019

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This one I don’t hate, but I’m still against it.

Kelechi Osemele LG
6-5, 330
29

*Cap hits of $10.2M & $11.7M the next 2 seasons
*Career-low 53.7 @PFF grade in 2018 (11 starts)
*PFF grades from 2014-17 = 84.8, 84.4, 84.9, 76.1
*Two-time Pro Bowler (2016 & 2017)
*2nd round pick of Baltimore Ravens in 2012
*Product of Iowa State https://t.co/R8r6GcOxIx

— Sean Borman (@SeanBoarMan) February 28, 2019

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There are some MAULERS in the draft on the o-line. Eric and Brandon discussed the options available with NFL Draft expert, Jordan Reid, on this week’s Minnesota Sports Fan Podcast. Go get one of those guys and improve the line that way. Brian O’Neill worked out pretty well didn’t he? Exactly. So, to review, if anyone tells you trading Waynes is a good idea react like this:

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Seth Toupal @SethToups
MinnesotaSportsFan.com

The #Vikings have exercised the 5th-year option on @TWaynes_15.

?: https://t.co/1GWf5mhKqR pic.twitter.com/DXLLZxgJHc

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 30, 2018

Well, outside of any unforeseen circumstances, the Minnesota Vikings have locked down their sideline corners AT-LEAST through 2019. The SKOL will pay Waynes an additional $7ish million more for his services in 2019, compared to what they will pay him this year.

The Michigan State Alum has done nothing but improve every year which goes to show what kind of CB he is. Playing under Mike Zimmer as a CB is nothing short of mentally exhausting, I’m sure. As a 1st round draft pick, you go in and get torn down for at least a full season. You don’t play and you constantly have problems playing his bump and run coverage without being called every other play for pass interference or defensive holding. His accomplice at the other side of the field, Xavier Rhodes, went through the same thing.

Although at times throughout “the process”, people weren’t sure if Waynes would come out on top like Rhodes did, his future is now looking brighter and brighter as the years go by. At a spry 25 years old, 2017 was a year of bests for Waynes, which goes toward the theory of his continued development. It was the first season where he started all 16 games. He had a career-high 65 tackles, which counted for nearly half of his career total of 145.

If Waynes locks in a big time 2018 season, he’ll be asking for Xavier Rhodes money come contract talks before his extension kicks in for 2019. Pro Football Focus had the Michigan State Alum as their 3rd best NFL CB in man coverage for 2017, ahead of even Xavier Rhodes.

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We’ll have to sit back and watch where the DB situation takes us, as 2018 unfolds. If Waynes has a monster year, are the Vikings going to be ready to pay two corners $13-14 million per year? Is there a world where Mackenzie Alexander and 1st-round rookie CB Mike Hughes play well enough where they can push Waynes’ money out the door, while leaving Spielman and Zimmer still-comfortable with their defensive back-end?

Probably not.

At the end of the day, these conversations are a testament to the high-round draft prowess on defense since Zimmer has come on board. You want your players to play so well they are demanding top-end money when contracts come due.

How you actually keep them all on roster will prove to be a tricky process, however.

Eric Strack (Founder/President)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com @RealMNSportsFan

But holy shit, some people are comparing Mike Hughes, the Vikings newest cornerback, to Deion Sanders (Paul Allen right now on KFAN as he opens his show) and now Xavier Rhodes officially has a new teammate at what some consider the leagues’ toughest position.

Welcome to the #Vikings, @_Bigmikee1! pic.twitter.com/XqAfNe4Br8

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 27, 2018

During the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Rick Spielman failed to live up to his wheeling-and-dealing reputation. However, by many indications, the artist formerly still known as “Trader Rick” was able to add to his prestigious résumé of draft choices:

Mike Hughes is a fantastic pick for the #Vikings. He provides value at nickel or outside corner and also is a return specialist. Mike Zimmer gets his CB on the first day of the draft.

— J.R. (@JReidDraftScout) April 27, 2018

“He’s my 15th-overall player. That’s a heck of a value for the Vikings.”@MoveTheSticks is a fan of @_Bigmikee1. #VikingsDraft pic.twitter.com/5N7d7GVx9y

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 27, 2018

Who is Mike Hughes?

The newest Minnesota Viking was the sixth DB (third CB) taken during Thursday’s inaugural round. Hughes is coming off of a 2017 season that included 4 interceptions, 11 pass break ups, and 4 touchdowns (pick six, kick return (2), punt return). On top of that, for what it’s worth, his team went undefeated:

UCF National Champions pic.twitter.com/mZLYZ53OFO

— Shea McCafferty (@Sheamus06) April 23, 2018

Here is his Hughes strengths and weaknesses according to the scouting website Walter Football (See the whole report here):

Strengths:

• Good instincts
• Excellent athleticism
• Fast cornerback
• Runs the route with the receiver
• Prevents separation
• Can cover up speed receivers
• Quick feet
• Dangerous ball skills
• Good hands
• Threat to take the ball away
• Knows what to do with the ball after making an interception
• Route recognition
• Excellent returner on special teams
• Loose hips to turn to run with speed receivers
• Recoverability
• Willing tackler
• Can play off-man coverage
• Can play zone coverage
• Athletic upside

Weaknesses:

• Undersized
• A little short
• Could use more weight
• Gives up a few passes from not finishing plays
• Could have issues with big receivers
• Could be picked on in the red zone
• Has some off-the-field concerns

Despite the much discussed offensive line needs, the Vikings, outside of Rhodes, have their fair share of questions at corner. While recent reports suggest the Purple will pick up Trae Waynes’ $9 million fifth-year option (2019 season), this addition seems to add immense flexibly to Minnesota’s contract talks with the 2015 first round pick.

Terrence Newman, the ageless wonder, is currently a FA. Whether or not he returns to Minnesota is up in the air like Mackensie Alexander’s ability to play consistent NFL Football.

Nonetheless, according to Mike Zimmer, the Hughes selection wasn’t made to “push” Alexander:

The way I see it, ain’t nothing changed but the day. As always, In Zim We Trust (link: his foundation). If he and the reigning NFL Executive of the Year, Rick Spielman, were on the same page on the Hughes selection (they ALMOST ALWAYS are), Then I’m in too.

Vikings fans be like pic.twitter.com/4pBfiSpB8B

— Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN) April 27, 2018

Oh, but he has some “baggage,” they say. Whatever. I’m too busy bouncing back and forth between Randy Moss and Dalvin Cook highlights to notice your negativity.

Anywho, now that we’re up to speed on the Purple’s pick, let’s stay woke on our NFC North foes:

Bears: LB ROQUAN SMITH (8th overall)

To me, taking the “tackling machine” out of Georgia was a rock solid pick Chicago. It looks like the Bears’ front office improved upon last year’s first round performance:

?? Chicago Bears fans with a priceless reaction to the Bears moving up to draft Mitch Trubisky #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/0gdNHJPTN4

— Fanatics View (@fanaticsview) April 28, 2017

Packers: CB JAIRE ALEXANDER (18th overall)

#Packers trade the 14th pick to New Orleans for No. 27, No. 147 & the Saints’ 2019 first-round pick. #PackersDraft pic.twitter.com/iS7G6pZAaz

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 27, 2018

A cornerback, eh? Any chance someone noticed a certain Kirk Cousins signing?

Lions: C FRANK RAGNOW (20th overall)

Wow. Would you look at that! For once in their nine-lives, the Motor City Kitties actually made a smart move:

Chanhassen’s Frank Ragnow taken No. 20 by Detroit Lions https://t.co/I2ynGkzG6n pic.twitter.com/HxqDPuGEUE

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) April 27, 2018

The Minnesota product and Arkansas alum has officially made it to the league. Stand the f*ck up, Chanhassen. Congrats!

In conclusion, the 2018 NFL draft is far from concluding. Tonight’s rendition will feature rounds two and three. In the event Spielman doesn’t hit his trusty trade button, it appears our GM will use at least one of today’s two (62nd and 94th overall) selections on an offensive lineman.

You just never know, though. I mean, I’m still kind of amazed that this man would have gone first overall:

The real reason Baker Mayfield won the Heisman ?? #College #Football #Heisman2017 #HeismanTrophy #dance pic.twitter.com/Tgvn1bdGem

— Mr Papadopoulos (@Mr_B_2018) December 10, 2017

Baker Mayfield is your 2017 Heisman winner, this cop deserves a Heisman too for this tackle on Mayfield. pic.twitter.com/p9BREEv0Dn

— JzoSports (@NOTSCTop10PIays) December 10, 2017

Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com