The NFL Draft is still coming up, because every day that passes means that the next day is coming that much closer. That’s how time works for three dimensional beings. Anyway, yesterday we took a look at ranking the draft needs of the team’s offense, and today we take a look at the defense – a side of the ball that still needs a lot of god damn help. Let’s check it out.
Free Agency Moves Recap
Uh, the Vikings didn’t really do anything for the defense in free agency, which is kind of frustrating. Not that they really could have made at on of big splashes, I guess. They weren’t going to sign Ndamukong Suh or anything, but there were a handful of linebackers on the market that would have been interesting adds to the team. Instead, the Vikings signed a Matthews brother that is only slightly worse than Jasper Brinkley, who we didn’t re-sign. So excuse me if I don’t have a raging hard on over all of this.
Oh. The Vikings also signed Terence Newman. He’s like a 37 year old cornerback who still plays in the NFL. Take that as you will.
Still Some Gaping Big Holes
Here’s the thing … Despite having a crap-ass defensive roster from top to bottom, the Vikings actually turned some things around under their first year with Mike Zimmer. Which is encouraging! Just think of what the team could look like defensively with another year, and more young players! That is undoubtedly a sexy prospect, and I would imagine that year two with Zimmer and the boys will mean we hit the defensive players hard in the draft again. Of course, when looking at our defense, there are some positions that need a bit more attention than others.
First, you look at our team and you still see huge gaps at the linebacker position and cornerback. On top of that, you also have questions at safety, and lesser questions up and down the defensive line. So, damn, that’s like everything. But, really, we need to start shoring up the linebacker and cornerback spots. We have a ton of linebackers, but very few starters. The fact that Chad Greenway is somehow still sucking up a starting roster spot blows my mind, and the fact that Marcus Sherels continues to be a lock at cornerback for this team both makes me furious and stupidly happy. Only that guy.
On top of that, a legit starter next to Harrison Smith, and more dynamic ass kickers up front would all be nice upgrades I wouldn’t bitch about depending on how the draft board falls.
Defensive Draft Priorities
So, factoring all of that in, and taking into consideration that defensive needs are the top TOP priority even over offensive needs for this team, here is how I see the position draft board breaking down:
1. Linebacker: All I have wanted for like a god damn decade is a shit kicking middle linebacker. Is that so hard? Just draft a middle linebacker to anchor our defense, please.
2. Cornerback: Let’s say you draft another top-rated cornerback that doesn’t flame out like Cedric Griffin’s knees. You have him next to Xavier Rhodes, with Captain Munnerlyn and a surprisingly improving Josh Robinson, and all of a sudden Aaron Rodgers’ job is a little bit more difficult. I would think. Hope.
3. Safety: This is a pipe dream … I’d much rather see a rangy safety that ball hawks and intercepts stupid Rodgers passes than a Taylor Mays-linebacker playing safety.
4. Defensive End: Again, would be some awesome depth, but I would see this as a lower priority than linebacker and cornerback, and as we push those priorities down the line, I’d guess that the chances of dominant defensive end talent lessens as well. So, whatever. Maybe we get a Jared Allen-bro in the 4th round.
So? How do you see the Vikings’ defensive draft board falling?
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