It’s day two of the combine, and our attention turns to the Vikings team needs, and players who could fill spots.
First, let’s dispense with the notion that NFL teams don’t draft for needs. It’s a luxury to take the best player available, but in reality, teams can’t do that with most of their picks.
The Vikings are a ground zero at tackle. It’s possible that, literally, no tackle from last year’s roster will be on roster this year. Can they really afford to take the BPA with each pick? What if that approach only nets one tackle?
Depending on what happens in free agency, the Vikings are forced to draft 2-4 tackles. The hope is that they don’t have to reach too often. Ideally, the BPA is a tackle.
Greg Cosell, who joined us at 10:30 on KFAN, has me intrigued with PJ Fleck’s kid Taylor Moton from Western Michigan. Moton helped the Broncos run for 197 yards per game. Three different players rushed for 140 yards in a game, thanks in large part to Moton. He was a four year starter after being a walk-on. He’s a raw pass blocker, but an excellent run blocker. With improved technique he can improve his balance, and put his long arms to better use. Moton, in a pinch, could play guard if needed.
Matt Miller, who joined us at 11:00, built up some steam for running back Kareem Hunt from Toledo as a fourth-round pick. He compared Hunt to the Bears Jordan Howard, a power runner who hammered the Vikings. He’s not as thick as Howard, but he’s shiftier than Howard, with tremendous ability to change direction. I recommending checking out his video montage here: