Minnesota Vikings drafts from 2012-2014

Since the Vikings’ inception into the NFL in 1961, they have always strived to find the best players available during the exciting draft period. Over the years, they have had their share of difficulties, but one period stands out: from 2012 to 2014. During this time, the Vikings secured seven first-round picks, with six of them going on to become big-time contributors both in Minnesota and elsewhere.

The Super Six have all managed to secure Pro Bowl honors at some point in their career, racking up nineteen all-star game appearances between them. Unfortunately, the Vikings haven’t been given much hope for the upcoming campaign and Bovada’s future Super Bowl lines make them +4000 outsiders for the Lombardi next February. However, with a good NFL draft under their belt as well as a bit of luck, anything is possible.

Current manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would have done an excellent job if he managed to draft players as good as these six for the upcoming campaign.

Matt Kalil

In 2012, the Vikings selected offensive tackle, Matt Kalil, as the fourth overall pick in that year’s draft. He proved to be an instant contributor to the playing squad at U.S. Bank Stadium, forming part of the offensive line that led Adrian Peterson to 2,097 rushing yards – just nine yards shy of breaking the NFL record. Thanks to Kalil’s performance, he was selected to the Pro Bowl that season, becoming the first newcomer tackle from the Vikings to do so.

Harrison Smith

In the same draft, Minnesota selected safety, Harrison Smith, with their second first-round pick, selecting him as 29th overall. The former Notre Dame standout also had an early impact on his side’s defense, recording three interceptions and 104 tackles during his rookie season. Since then, he has become one of the best safeties in the league, earning Pro Bowl honors six times during his nine seasons in Minneapolis and securing a legendary status with the franchise.

Xavier Rhodes

The following year, the Vikings utilized their 25th overall pick to select cornerback, Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes became a dominant force during his tenure with the franchise, becoming known as one of the best press corners in the league. He was a key part of the defense that led the Vikings to the NFC North title in 2017 and was selected for Pro Bowl honors that term, as well as the year before and in 2019 before leaving for the Indianapolis Colts in 2020.

Cordarrelle Patterson

In 2013, the Purple People Eaters had three first-round picks for the first time in franchise history, and they used the second of those picks to select wide receiver, Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson was a versatile player, recording 856 receiving yards and four touchdowns during his rookie season. He also became an immediate star on special teams, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns which led him to twice winning the kickoff return yards leader award as well as securing a spot in the all-star game on four separate occasions.

Anthony Barr

The Vikings selected linebacker, Anthony Barr, with the ninth overall pick in the 2014 draft. Barr instantly became a key piece to his side’s defense, helping lead them to the playoffs that season for just the second time in six years. He was a Pro Bowl selection in four consecutive campaigns between 2015 and 2018 and he established himself as one of the best linebackers in the NFL during that time thanks to his speed, agility, and ability to read plays. His role in the Vikings’ defense went beyond just making tackles and his leadership qualities were just as valuable as his physical exploits and performances, despite his love/hate relationship with the home faithful.

Teddy Bridgewater

After selecting Barr as the ninth overall pick, the Minneapolis outfit used their final first-round pick in 2014 to select quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater had an up-and-down tenure with the Vikings, showing flashes of potential, but dealing with injuries that hindered his development. However, he did lead the Vikings to an improbable playoff appearance in his second season in the league. He too managed to secure Pro Bowl honors following the 2015 campaign, however, that was his only appearance in the all-star game and his career has since fizzled out.

Conclusion

The Minnesota Vikings’ first-round draft picks between 2012 and 2014 proved to be some of the best in their franchise’s history. From Matt Kalil to Teddy Bridgewater, these players helped shape the franchise into a competitive outfit and earned several Pro Bowl honors. Although some have gone their separate ways, their impact in Minnesota will always be remembered and fans can only hope that the Vikings’ future draft picks can emulate their success.

The #Vikings have terminated the contracts of DT Linval Joseph and CB Xavier Rhodes.https://t.co/VIg4PYgTK7

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 13, 2020

The Rhodes move clears $8.1 million in cap space, while releasing Joseph clears $10.487 million

— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) March 13, 2020

Do any other Vikings fans feel a little bit lighter? Well, the team’s pocket-book certainly does. The Vikings have officially cut Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph from the roster, clearing $18.5 million in cap space. Those numbers include the cap penalty, for cutting them. It looks like they have also released David Morgan.

According to Spotrac, the Vikings now have about $19M in salary cap money, to spend. However, once you add in the draft pool money that will be needed for that part of the offseason, their number goes down to just over $11M.

This is just the beginning. The Minnesota Vikings have a lot more work to do, if they are going to get that number down to an amount that will allow any flexibility this offseason.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

5️⃣ #Vikings have been added to the #ProBowl as replacements.@KirkCousins8 @EversonGriffen @cjham28 @EricKendricks54 @XavierRhodes29_

?: https://t.co/Hz9w28VA5O pic.twitter.com/slKb4Rak1r

LMFAO WHAT pic.twitter.com/MFPa6gOr2o

— Arif Hasan, orbital traveler ? (@ArifHasanNFL) January 21, 2020

Seth and I talked about this very topic yesterday on MSF Daily – LIVE and I’m glad the NFL came out this morning to prove our point…. once again. The NFL Pro Bowl is a waste of time and space. It’s the one thing about the NFL, outside of concussions, that continually makes the league look inept. None of the all-star festivities around the professional sports world are ever praised, but the NFL Pro Bowl is by far the worst, expecially compared to how great the in-season product is.

When we broached this topic on Monday, we were talking about some of the snubs for the Vikings, specifically Eric Kendricks, who is on this list of 5 Vikings Extras (rightfully so). But instead of lightly tapping the pendulum back toward the balanced position, we’re violently ripping it through, as if breaking the damn thing is worth bonus points. Xavier Rhodes has just been named a 2020 pro bowler and that makes my mouth water and pits sweat a little… like that bad feeling you get right before breakfast resurfaces.

How does this happen?

Because it isn’t all based on merit. The fans get 1/3 of the vote. I’d be surprised if Xavier got that…… Players get 1/3 of the vote which likely turns into a player popularity contest just as much as it does anything else. Then, the coaches also get 1/3… which is probably the fairest of the thirds but let’s be real here too, coaches don’t have time to watch everyone in their conference. If they don’t play against players regularly, then they don’t know shit about them…. so they vote with bias or they take advice from someone else.

None of it makes sense. This is exactly why Eric Kendricks waits to be named a Pro Bowl alternate, even though he’s a top-3 middle linebacker league-wide, and Xavier Rhodes gets mentioned right next to him, even though he shouldn’t be allowed to sniff Kendricks’ jock, let alone a Pro Bowl roster. What a joke.

This isn’t a big deal. Who cares if Xavier makes a Pro Bowl. I honestly don’t (but Richard Sherman will, I’d bet). If anyone should be irritated, it’s players and owners collectively. Bonus money is actually tied to this worthless game. If you make a Pro Bowl roster, you usually make more money. Kendricks almost missed out on that… and Rhodes actually got his. That’s mind boggling if you watched this team play all season. Owners should want to reward and incentivise great play, but it should really piss them off to pay out bonus money to those who don’t deserve it. Players should hate seeing peers make the roster over someone else who deserves it more. 

Everyone else who was named for the Vikings was well-deserving. It’s really good to see Griffen get rewarded for such a comeback season so at least there’s a little good that comes out of all this. Kirk Cousins deserved his bid too… but I wasn’t outraged by his snub. Hell, Teddy Bridewater made it in 2017. 

Jeez…. I just can’t wait to watch the Pro Bowl.

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Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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?

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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

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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:

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#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.

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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

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I can’t avoid it any longer. After a full weekend of Antonio Brown click and social media bait, I’ll finally bite. Antonio Brown came to a Timberwolves’ game that was televised on ESPN last week, right after he requested to be traded away from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Apparently, stopping by to watch a big basketball game that Adam Schefter is at, means you want to be traded to that same city to play on their football team.

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Antonio Brown and Adam Shefter are in Minnesota for a Timberwolves game? (via VikingsNation IG) pic.twitter.com/zQwQ7R3QWD

— Vikings Report (@report_vikings) February 14, 2019

.@AdamSchefter is this why you're here? pic.twitter.com/Oopd3jbmLX

— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 13, 2019

Ready to start my new career ???‍♂️ https://t.co/h29zgDi44V

— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 18, 2019

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It’s all fun twitter fodder but I wasn’t ready to give it any of my time. Then this morning, I heard Paul Allen of KFAN divulge into the topic on his 9AM to Noon radio show and his take (which he admitted was an e-mailer’s idea) on the situation intrigued me. It involved trading Xavier Rhodes, which I had proposed earlier this offseason (just not for AB). Defensive Back is one of the deeper positions on the Vikings’ roster and this would also give Zim the chance to draft another young DB to groom, earlier in the draft rather than later.

Should the Vikings Pull the Trigger on this Blockbuster?

Antonio Brown is a game-changer and any team who adds him to their roster will clearly be more talented. If you have the chance to grab a guy like Brown, you are doing your team a disservice if you don’t at-least investigate. So, that’s where you start, when looking at adding a player like Brown.

He’s really good.  ✅

Now, let’s look at the money. The Vikings could make it work if they use Rhodes as the main piece to the deal. The Vikings would only have $9ish Million additional dollars against the team cap for 2019, than before the trade was made, and actually less going forward (Brown contract details | Rhodes contract details). Throw in a franchised Anthony Barr or an expiring Kyle Rudolph and the money isn’t as bad to make up as you might have thought, coming in. That’s why Rhodes is key in the deal.

Now, there are rumors that Brown wants a new contract and more money from the team he gets traded to… If that’s the case, then I guess I’m out. The Vikings are already strapped for the next few years and adding Brown doesn’t address any of the major team needs at LB, TE, and OL. Unless you can figure out a way to make it team and Brown-friendly… I wouldn’t want any changes. His current contract starts looking better for the team as it goes on but it’s still $18-19 million for him.

Antonio Brown makes your team a lot more talented and, if you could make the money work (as currently constructed), It’s a no-brainer, right?

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No. You still stay away from Antonio Brown. Why?

Because the Vikings have already proven to have a fragile locker room at times. We like to think of Mike Zimmer as a great coach and uniter, and many times, he’s been exactly that. His players also rave about him most of the time.

However, from the slaughtered fat cats meltdown of 2016, to the Eagles NFCCG flop, to the 2018 season that was marred by the death of Tony Sparano and mental breakdown of Everson Griffen… to so many other instances in between, the Vikings have shown the inability to keep their heads above water in the name of winning games, when facing drama on or off of the field.

If you’re the Vikings and you want to be as successful as possible in 2019, avoiding drama could be a very key component.

Antonio Brown is drama. So, the Vikings need to avoid Antonio Brown.

*DISCLAIMER: I knew there was no chance of this trade happening before I wrote this but still took an hour of my time anyway… I’m part of the problem.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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Xavier Rhodes is a fixture of the Minnesota Vikings defensive lineup. We have the fondest memories (and gifs) of Mike Evans and Odell Beckham Jr. throwing sideline temper tantrums in frustration throughout Xavier’s dominant 2017 season.

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Mike Evans showing his frustrations on the sideline pic.twitter.com/4FUWXIifeT

— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) September 24, 2017

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But 2018 was a different story.

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#Vikings cornerback grades through Week 16, per @PFF (min. 100 coverage snaps):

Mackensie Alexander – 76.3
Holton Hill – 72.0
Trae Waynes – 66.8
Mike Hughes (IR) – 61.5
Xavier Rhodes – 58.2

— Sean Borman (@SeanBoarMan) December 24, 2018

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Xavier Rhodes has tried to quiet the noise by pointing to injuries (mostly his dedication to being on the field too early after those injuries) as the reason for his 2018 inadequacies. 

I’m not sold.

Rhodes is currently on the books through 2022 at $13-14 Million but his contract becomes very negotiable after 2019. According to Spotrac.com, his cap hit, if the Vikings were to cut him, decreases from the $20 Million it was at this year, down to $7.2 Million in 2019. It then drops to $4.8 Million in 2020 etc. 

Having this upcoming contract flexibility should increase suitors and offers, in return. 

On the Paul Allen Show (KFAN – Podcastable HERE) Thursday, PA asked Ben Leber if he’d trade Xavier for a 2nd round pick, if the other team were willing to eat the entire contract. 

Leber didn’t hesitate before saying that he absolutely would make that trade.

I would hope to get a little bit more back than a 2nd but that’s a big chunk of money swapping books for a guy who had an injury plagued 2018 and didn’t play very well in the 13 games he did see the field, so I wouldn’t be mad at it.

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Depth in Secondary

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The fact that we are even having this conversation means that Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman deserve a lot of credit for the depth that they have built in the Vikings secondary. It starts with Trae Waynes. We could never look at trading Xavier Rhodes if he weren’t emerging as one of the better CB’s league-wide.

At times, Trae Waynes could often be mistaken as our #1 CB in 2018 and he was targeted a lot more than Rhodes. 

Trae has one year left on his deal and it will be a steal for what he could’ve gotten on the open market, had the Vikings not picked up his 5th-year rookie option. He’s scheduled to make $9 Million and will be a FA after. Trading Rhodes allows you to extend Waynes, who appears to be a future #1 CB.

Zimmer’s other 3 high-round CB draft picks all seem to be winners too. Mackensie Alexander finally took the step we’ve been waiting for while both Mike Hughes and Holton Hill had very impressive rookie seasons. There’s no reason to think that, in today’s day and age, Hughes won’t recover from his knee injury 100%. Jayron Kearse also excelled in his new role in the jacked up Nickel package.

We could even promise Mike that we’ll let him draft another CB in the top 4 rounds if he is willing to let go of Rhodes.

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[/et_pb_code][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.19.3″]Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports FanFollow @realmnsportsfanTweets by realmnsportsfan [/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Hey, hey, hey — as Toups put it earlier today, what would Vikings Camp be without some controversy?

Today’s came in the form some unexpected absentees from this afternoon’s practice. Neither Xavier Rhodes nor Stefon Diggs were on the field. It was picked up on pretty quickly, as one can assume. And then, some recent camp spats that have gone on between the two heavyweights came to light.

Diggs and Rhodes were going at it in practice yesterday, and Diggs had a few exchanges with Andrew Sendejo during this morning’s walk-thru.

— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) August 8, 2018

But, it’s all rumors until Mike Zimmer comes out and makes them truth (unless they were rumors that nobody really knew existed until he mentions them, but that was a whole two days ago).

For context, this carried over from yesterday’s practice (and probably even longer). Rhodes, seemingly upset w/ Diggs’ TD catch and showboating, stayed in w/ reserves and tried to call Diggs back onto the field to go at him again. Seemed like typical camp riffs.

— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) August 8, 2018

First, before I go any farther, I just want to mention how quickly Mike Zimmer is stealing my heart. Every time he comes to the podium, it’s must see TV. The guy is a cross between Greg Popovich and Bill Belichek. And, who knew that when combined into one human, their interviews would be even better. Yesterday Zim helped give us the Incognito talker and today he gives us this.

As for the players involved, I love that too. Maybe even more than I like Zimmer’s actions in this story. From all reporting, Training Camp is a grind. It’s a whole bunch of practice for a bunch of guys who have done these drills over and over again. Friendly competition can often turn unfriendly. If you’ve never competed with a friend, and not been friends by the time the competition ended, then have you ever really competed? Probably not.

Sometimes the competitive drive beats one’s love for another human. It’s only temporary most of the time, as I’m sure the case will be here. I mean, in all reality, those two were probably sipping iced tea in the locker room, laughing at the thought of being out on the field in the 95 degree humidity, as Andy Carlson so eloquently states here:

Basically Zimmer’s discipline for Diggs/Rhodes is “Hey you stay in his air conditioned facility instead of sweating your ass off in MN August heat competing for roles you have zero chance of losing anyway. And think about what you did.” pic.twitter.com/iLegQjEHna

— Andy Carlson (@AndyCarlsonShow) August 8, 2018

Oh boy, what will tomorrow bring? We know what Saturday will….

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GAME DAY.

Eric Strack
Minnesota Sports Fan @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

In the opening round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the State of Hockey’s professional football team acquired a hat trick’s worth of players:

The selection of our now All-Pro CB, Xavier Rhodes, helps numb the pain associated with the other two picks: Cordarrelle Patterson and Sharrif Floyd.

Despite five kick return TDs in his four years with the Purple, Patterson wasn’t able to cut his teeth as a WR. Last March, the Tennessee alum signed a free agent deal with the Raiders. The man who pissed me off by donning Randy Moss’ number doesn’t seem to have any animosity towards the state of Minnesota. Even in Oakland, the 26 year-old still supported our teams on his social media:

In regards to the current status of Sharrif Floyd and the Land of 10K Lakes, that relationship isn’t nearly as humorous n shit.

Per reports, the Vikings are yet to pay Floyd his entire 2017 salary ($6.757 million). Thus far, the former Florida Gator who spent of all last season on the non-football injury list (knee), has received $2 million (+ $6,450 bonus) of the original agreement. In an attempt to obtain the remaining money, the NFLPA on Floyd’s behalf, filed a grievance against the Wilf-owned franchise.

It’s a contract, so the Vikings have to pay Floyd, right?

Wrong! The DT was put on the non-football injury list because Minnesota viewed the root cause of the nerve issues, in his knee, to be non-football related. That seems to make sense. If a colleague injured you by going full Terry Tate office linebacker, you’d probably expect to receive adequate cash for any time missed. On the opposite side of the fence, If you were out of work, because your wasted buddy tackled you onto a bonfire, you’re not calling up the boss when the payroll inevitably skips your wounded-self.

Well then, if Floyd was on the non-football injury list, his grievance is baseless, right?

Wrong again! From Sharrif Floyd’s point of view, the non-football injury list status he was assigned was incorrect. He and his camp point to the knee issues being caused by a 2016 surgery. A surgery that was needed because of football.

The grievance was filed by the NFLPA back in September, 2017. But, because the Vikings now desire to release Floyd, the pertinent details, surrounding the situation, just came to light on Tuesday.

The ongoing disagreement between the two sides is what is preventing Minnesota from releasing Sharrif Floyd and his 44 career games. In regards to the 26 year-old’s football future, it appears the odds of him ever returning to the field are “remote”.

I only wish the, once coveted, defensive lineman the best moving forward. Well, maybe just outside of the final ruling on this topic. With the amount Minnesota is ordered to pay to Floyd, directly effecting their cap number, the ruling is somewhat important. Unlike the MLB, every dollar counts in the NFL. For example, the Jets might attack the effect a Kirk Cousins contract would have on their salary cap with an almost unimaginable front-loaded deal.

The Jets are reportedly considering an offer for Kirk Cousins that would include $60 million guaranteed in his first year ? (via New York Post) pic.twitter.com/z4M48eUkBT

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 21, 2018

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

I don’t want to date myself. Despite the cash I’d save on Valentines Day, being my own significant other wouldn’t be a good look. (That was a play on the two different meanings of the word “date”, in case you missed it.)

As for how old I am, with the Minnesota Vikings being founded in 1960, the organization is more than twice my elder. With the first several years of my life being almost as much of a blur as college, my memories of the Purple prior to the 1998 season are few and far between. If the topic of conversation relates to events that occurred before number 84 hit the NFL scene, I’m as uneducated as certain Philadelphia Eagles’ fans.

Well, maybe not that uneducated, but still. If I had to breakdown the Top 10 Vikings of all time, it would be a disservice to those I either never saw, or don’t remember seeing, play. Rather than crash my proverbial car while trying to navigate down that bumpy ass road, let’s dissect the results of those who already made the voyage.

Our @AccessVikings team, and lots of others from the @StribSports staff, tried to do what’s nearly impossible — rank the Top 10 @Vikings of all time. How did we do? https://t.co/HdrdYxkm8A pic.twitter.com/ETrJHbk7go

— Access Vikings (@AccessVikings) January 31, 2018

Per the link in the above Tweet, 12 Star Tribune staffers ranked, in order, their top 10 Vikings of all time. With my brain telling me that’s a total of 120 selections, here’s my brain telling you how said selections break down:

This shows how many of the 12 writers voted for each player (Only 3 players received votes from every writer):

• Alan Page (12/12)
• Randy Moss (12/12)
• Randall McDaniel (12/12)
• Carl Eller (11/12)
• Adrian Peterson (11/12)
• Fran Tarkenton (10/12)
• Cris Carter (10/12)
• Mick Tingelhoff (10/12)
• John Randle (9/12)
• Paul Krause (6/12)
• Ron Yary (5/12)
• Jim Marshall (5/12)
• Joey Browner (2/12)
• Chris Doleman (2/12)
• Gary Zimmerman (1/12)
• Bill Brown (1/12)
• Fred Cox (1/12)

Out of the dozen participants, half had Alan Page as their top Viking of all time, while four had Fran Tarkenton. In regards to the two outliers, Jim Souhan gave his top spot to Randall McDaniel, while Michael Rand went with Carl Eller.

Anyone know if Alan Page ever hung out w/Lebron’s mom? Just curious. pic.twitter.com/NEARp4nZjK

— Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN) January 7, 2018

On top of that, as you can see, Page, Randy Moss, and Randall McDaniel were the only ones who made all of the top 10 rankings. I know I’m a novice on a the first 35+ years of Vikings history, but shouldn’t those three be joined by Fran Tarkenton and Carl Eller? What did the fans think?

That’s what I thought. The above is comprised from over 5,000 lists submitted by members of Skol Nation.

The most glaring difference between the fan’s G.O.A.T. Vikings and the Star Tribune’s version is that the fans omitted Mick Tingelhoff. On the opposite side of the fence, the HOF center made all but two of the Star Tribunes’ lists. Whoops! Our bad. It could have been worse. At least we didn’t pull a Souhan and leave out Carl Eller.

When someone completes this exercise twenty years from now, which current Vikings have the best chance of bumping Chuck Foreman from the fans top 10? Harry the Hitman? #RhodesClosed? One of our UCLA LBs?

Hell, maybe Stefon Diggs or Adam Thielen can join Moss and Cris Carter as the only WRs to make the cut. In order for that to occur, we’re going to need John DeFilippo to live up to all the hype surrounding his hiring as the Vikes’ offensive coordinator.

It may be overkill, but here is another reason to get excited about the John DeFilippo hiring: pic.twitter.com/ChVXyYmFjX

— Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN) February 9, 2018

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com