Purplestick: A look at the Vikings opponents high draft choices...

Purplestick: A look at the Vikings opponents high draft choices...: The NFL draft is over and yes each team knows their schedules just do not know times or dates. I thought it would be fun to look at the V...

A look at the Vikings opponents high draft choices

The NFL draft is over and yes each team knows their schedules just do not know times or dates. I thought it would be fun to look at the Vikings schedule and look at their opponents high prized draft choices.


I will start with the home schedule as we see Green Bay Packers come to town with the most talked about shocking first round pick of Quarterback, Jordan Love. Yes, I know Love will not see action but it sure will be fun to talk about.


The Detroit Lions drafted with the third pick Jeff Okudau who is a cornerback from Ohio State. It would be fun to see our first pick, Justin Jefferson go against Okudau. Jefferson from LSU and Okuda Ohio State will be a rematch of their college days. The Lions also took in the second round running back from Georgia, D’Andre Swift who was a top three running back coming out of college.


Chicago Bears did not have a first round pick but in the second round they took tight end, Kyle Kmet out of Notre Dame so this will be nice to see how our linebackers match up with him.


Atlanta Falcons come to town with first round pick, AJ Terrell cornerback from Clemson so we will get to see how our wide receivers fare against Terrell.


Carolina Panthers bring their first round pick, Derrick Brown defensive tackle from Auburn. The Vikings interior line will get a good test.


Jacksonville Jaguars had two first round picks both defense with CJ Henderson cornerback from Florida and K’Lavon Chaisson linebacker from LSU. The Vikings will see two SEC players which I believe this conference makes players as pro ready as it gets.


Tennessee Titans bring their first round pick, Isaiah Wilson offensive tackle from Georgia. I will love to see Danielle Hunter make him look silly every play.


Dallas Cowboys bring their first round pick, CeeDee Lamb wide receiver from Alabama. It has been said that Lamb was not figured to still be on the board at 17 so they may have gotten a steal. This young man is very talented and will be a great challenge for our new young cornerbacks. The Cowboys also took Trevon Diggs, safety from Alabama and yes that is Stefon’s brother.


The road games I won’t mention again Green Bay, Chicago or Detroit since I hit them up on the home schedule.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers we already know they have Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski but their first round pick is offensive lineman, Tristan Wirfs who is one strong and athletic man so our defense ends will get a good work out. I also add they added former Gophers Antoine Winfield Jr and Tyler Johnson. I want Johnson and Winfield to have great careers just not this day in Tampa.


New Orleans Saints after the Vikings shocked them in the playoffs in overtime saw the Vikings destroy the interior of the Saints defense so they took with their first round out of Michigan center, Caesar Ruiz.


Indianapolis Colts did not have a first round pick but in the second round they took Wisconsin running back, Jonathon Taylor.


Houston Texans did not have a pick until the third round and with that they took Ross Blacklock, defensive lineman and his claim to fame is his dad played for the Harlem Globetrotters and now coaches them.


Seattle Seahawks typically have a very good defense and their stadium id one of the loudest in the NFL so what do they do? They take linebacker, Jordan Brooks to add into an already very good defense.


Thank you for reading

Purplestick

SKOL!!

Purplestick: NFL historical draft a huge success in many ways

Purplestick: NFL historical draft a huge success in many ways: April 23 rd was finally here and with that came the first night of the NFL draft. It seems like forever since I have seen spor...

Purplestick: Day 2 NFL draft fun continues

Purplestick: Day 2 NFL draft fun continues: Friday at 6:00 came and for the next 5 hours I watched the NFL draft with a smile on my face and a pen and paper in hand to take notes as...

Purplestick: Historical Virtual draft weekend ends with memorie...

Purplestick: Historical Virtual draft weekend ends with memorie...: Saturday Apr 25 th was exciting yet sad as I knew at 6:00 my football fun was over other than now watching breakdown after break...

Purplestick: 2020 NFL Draft record maker for many reasons

Purplestick: 2020 NFL Draft record maker for many reasons: It’s Sunday morning and I am still fired up about the NLF draft and how it went down as about as perfect as can be with the ...

2020 NFL Draft record maker for many reasons

It’s Sunday morning and I am still fired up about the NLF draft and how it went down as about as perfect as can be with the IT departments making it all happen. Thank you NFL for a weekend we all needed. Thank you NFL and fans for all your efforts towards helping with funds for the Covid 19.

I went to bed pleased with the Vikings draft and know all fans will have opinions. I love reading sports articles and watching TV and I saw plenty of sports people high on Minnesota’s Draft. I read on twitter both Sports Illustrated and Sporting News gave the Vikings an A and A- respectively.


I stumbled on twitter account ESPN Stats and Info and retweeted all these items but those of you who do not have twitter check out the records made or broke during the 2020 draft.


This was the 14^th straight year the SEC had the most players taken with 63 being drafted. It’s also per @Elias Sports the 2^nd most as 64 is the most ever.


Michigan and Ohio State each had 10 players chosen which is the 6^th time in modern draft era since 1967 that multiple teams from same conference had 10 plus picks in same draft.


LSU had 14 players drafted which led all schools in the 2020 Draft. This is Per @Elias Sports that is tied for most by any team through 7 rounds in NFL Draft history (2004 Ohio State) Texas in 1984 had 17 taken but that was in a 12 round format.


This is crazy as 56 players were drafted with their first name starting with the letter J most by any letter in the draft since the draft was shortened to seven rounds in 1994.


It was a record year for wide receivers as 36 were taken in the 2020 draft. Per @Elias Sports that is tied for most in draft history through 7 rounds.


There were 23 teams that took a wide receiver with 13 being selected in the first 2 rounds. There was nine wide receivers that came from the SEC which was most by any conference. Three NFL teams took three wide receivers (Denver, Philadelphia and Las Vegas) also one school has three receivers taken and that was the Florida Gators.


Florida International had 2 players drafted while Florida State only had one selected which is mind blowing as not to long ago Florida State was a powerhouse. I am happy for Florida International just strange to see only one from the Seminoles.


Cincinnati Bengals selected a player in every round which is not strange it’s the fact that they took the first pick in every round which Cincinnati has now done three times in their existence (194 and 2003). No team has ever done it even once in the modern draft era.


The Minnesota Vikings take a record 15 picks with 9 being on the defensive side and that has not happened to the Vikings since 1967.


Thank you for reading

Purplestick

SKOL


Sources credit: Twitter: ESPN Stats and Info @ESPNStatsInfo

@Elias Sports

Historical Virtual draft weekend ends with memories for a lifetime

Saturday Apr 25^th was exciting yet sad as I knew at 6:00 my football fun was over other than now watching breakdown after breakdown of each team.


This virtual draft went incredibly smooth was so many fun storylines and records made. The first round saw 15 SEC players drafted was a record. LSU had 10 players picked in the first 3 rounds which tied a record and Alabama had 9. There was 13 receivers taken in the first 2 rounds which beat 12 set in 2014 that included Odell Beckham Jr, Devante Adams and Mike Evans. The seven round total saw 38 receivers go so yes the draft was extremely deep with receivers.


I wanted to share a couple quotes starting with Nate Burleson when he referred to the Detroit Lions as the Lions King and they drafted Jeff Okudah so Burleson cleverly said “Lions King Okudah Matata.” It was Saturday morning and NFL Network was talking about Quarterback Jake Fromm as “Jake from State Fromm.”


There were so many story lines all draft but I look at Saturday and start with Washington Redskins Offensive Tackle, Trent Williams who was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. The St. Johns Minnesota Offensive tackle, Ben Bartch drafted by Jacksonville at pick 116 one pick before the Vikings who I hoped would draft him. I am happy for Ben as he is the first player drafted from this school since 1974.


Quarterbacks Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm kept waiting for a call and finally at pick 122 Eason goes to the Colts, I thought Fromm would be the next quarterback to go but no James Morgan from Florida International goes at 125.


K’Von Mitchell drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles was the first person from his family to graduate from High School. It was neat to see a couple players drafted and their dads were former NFL players such as Brycen Hopkins drafted and his dad was Brad. What’s neat about this is Brycen was drafted by the Rams and so was Van Jefferson earlier and his dad was Shawn so 2 father son combos on the Rams.


Carolina Panthers are the first team in modern draft era with a minimum of seven picks to pick all defensive players and no offensive. The New England Patriots enter the draft with my thought of drafting a quarterback and they did not.


The New England Patriots had drafted Kyle Dugger earlier at pick 37 in the 2^nd round and according to ESPN Info and stats Kyle is the earliest draft choice of a Division II player since 1999.


The Miami Hurricanes for years were a powerhouse and now this draft did not see a Hurricane drafted until Shaquille Quarterman was taken with the 140^th pick in the 4^th round which was the longest since 2014.


Nebraska Cornhuskers had twin brothers both get drafted as Khalil went to Tampa Bay and Carlos went to Pittsburgh in two different rounds.


The University of Minnesota had a great weekend seeing five players drafted which marks the most since 1990. Antoine Winfield Jr and Tyler Johnson both went to Tampa Bay. Carter Coughlin and Chris Williamson both went to the New York Giants. Kamal Martin went to the Green Bay Packers which is hard to watch but I am happy for him to get a chance to make an NFL squad. I wish all five players nothing but success unless they play the Vikings.





Let’s get to the Vikings day three as the Vikings were to have 13 picks for a potential 17 for the weekend so would the team keep all? The answer was no but in the end had 15 which I can’t remember the last time we had that many picks.


The Vikings in 2019 led the way with 56 percent of the roster being draft picks and after this weekend’s picks I don’t see the percent going down.


It was stated that 2019 NFL rosters had 14 percent of their roster first rounders’, 21 percent and 4^th-7^th rounds and undrafted free agents make up 65 percent so day three is huge for every team.


The first four picks earlier I loved so I was curious how Saturday would go and the way Saturday started out both twitter and Facebook friends were questioning why no offensive line help to start.

The final score shows 6 offensive players and nine defensive players and the rounds were 2 in the first round, 1 in the 2^nd, 1 in the 3^rd, 3 in the 4^th, 2 in the 5^th, 2 in the 6^th and 4 in the 7^th.


I look at the first three picks of Saturday starting with DJ Wonnum, Defensive End who was a 3 year captain at South Carolina which has only happened three times in school history so I see leadership qualities.


James Lynch, Defensive Tackle from Baylor was 2019 Big 12 Defensive player of the year and had school record 13.5 sacks. He now owns the school record with 22 for his career and the 13.5 last year. The bottom line is he knows to get to the quarterback.


Troy Dye, Linebacker from Oregon lead the Ducks all four years in tackles so makes a great addition to the Vikings linebacker corp. A little fact is both Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks both played at UCLA and now add a Oregon player making three Pac10 studs.


The next two I know have very little info on Harrison Hand, cornerback form Temple and KJ Osborn, Wide Receiver from Miami, Florida. I only imagine more depth competition.


The same with the next two, Blake Brandel, Offensive Tackle from Oregon State and Josh Metellus, Safety from the University of Michigan. I like the adding of more depth for both the secondary and offensive line.


The next pick might be the steal of the draft as Kenny Willkes a defensive end from Michigan State. He was voted the national top walk on and he ended his career with 23. 5 sacks. He was said to be a 5^th round value so we will see.


The last three picks Nate Stanley quarterback from the University of Iowa who left with the 2^nd most touchdowns and passing yards in school history makes for a great story to watch.


Brian Cole II, a safety from Mississippi State and ending the draft at pick 253 was Kyle Hinton, Guard from Washburn so both these gentlemen add more depth competition.


I just came across twitter and saw the Vikings PR announced the 15 picks was a Minnesota Viking team record in a 7 round draft.


I love the Vikings and would love to give an A but I will settle for a A- as I am not sure about the offensive line yet.


This is my prediction as they put Ezra Cleveland at LT, then slide Riley Reiff to LG, Garrett Bradbury stays at center and Pat Elflein at RG and leave Brian O’Neil at RT.


Thank you for reading

Purplestick

SKOL!!!!!

Day 2 NFL draft fun continues

Friday at 6:00 came and for the next 5 hours I watched the NFL draft with a smile on my face and a pen and paper in hand to take notes as it went. I thoroughly enjoy hearing breakdowns of every player and some of the info is noteworthy to me.


I start by saying I love how Commissioner Goodell is handling the draft and I love the Draft-a-thon going helping raise money for the Covid 19 relief program. I have really enjoyed Roger announcing the picks while he stood the first 69 picks then pick 70 he sat in his comfy chair and by picks in the 90’s he was starting to slouch in a sleepy manner. I laughed when the NLF hosts o ESPN made the comment if the draft goes too late into the night we might see Goodell sleeping.


Thursday night was awesome to watch and found out tonight it was the most ever watched NFL draft night in history. One of the most interesting picks in the 2^nd round came by way of the New England Patriots taking at pick 37, Kyle Dugger a Division 2 player and I am thinking this is the team to know how to draft as they prove year in and year out they know how to find players in the draft.


It was seemingly not to long ago running backs went first round but yesterday only one went and then in the 2^nd round we saw D’Andrea Swift, Georgia go to the Detroit Lions at pick 35 and pick 41 Jonathon Taylor,Wisconsin go to Indianapolis. These guys were both high profile in college and the Vikings schedule sees both these guys along with their teammates. JK Dobbins, Ohio State was taken by Baltimore at pick 55. 


Houston at pick 40 took Russ Blacklock and the interesting info on him is that his dad played for the Harlem Globetrotters and now is the head coach of them.


Los Angeles Rams take Wide Receiver, Van Jefferson at pick 57 and his dad Shawn played 13 years in the NFL at wide receiver.


Former Minnesota Gopher, Antoine Winfield Jr. was taken at pick 45 by the Tampa Bay. Winfield was the highest draft pick from the U since 2014. I wanted him to be a Viking but not to be but instead he is a teammate of Tom Brady and yes the Super Bowl is in Tampa so could Antoine have a chance to play in the Super Bowl.


Former Viking, Stefon Diggs brother Trevon Diggs who played safety at Alabama was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. I could not believe how much Trevon looked like Stefon.


Green Bay in the first round shocked the world by drafting quarterback, Jordan Love and now Friday night I believe the Philadelphia Eagles shocked the world by drafting Quarterback, Jalen Hurts. I think with Carson Wentz unfortunate injuries each year the Eagles wanted a young quarterback.


The Vikings pick at 58 finally came and it was Offensive Tackle out of Boise State, Ezra Cleveland. I admit I did not know much about him but believe me when I saw the pick I did research quickly and loved everything I read plus listening to the guys on TV gave me a very good feeling about the pick.


I am loving the Vikings first three picks as we are addressing needs with a wide receiver, cornerback and now Offensive tackle. I am biased and a homer so I am giving the team an A plus thus far.

I say this every year but as each player is drafted the info they have instantly is just amazing and yes I know there are many people involved but I can still be wowed.


The 4^th round saw the Vikings take at pick 89 cornerback out of Mississippi State, Cameron Dantzler which I applaud again giving the team two needed cornerbacks and yes they need to prove themselves but at least they are in purple.


This draft overall has over exceeded my expectations hundred fold. It has been such a pleasure to watch and learn. I am really liking the war rooms and what I like even better is the coaches and GM’s having their kids with them making it a family event.


I also love the fact that 60 players allowed cameras in their places giving fans a real appreciation of what these young men are going through hoping their phones ring and it’s a team telling them they want them.


The draft was coming to an end for the night and I knew the Vikings had one more pick but then I see the word trade come across screen. Yes the Vikings traded their pick to the dreaded New Orleans Saints. I was shocked what the Vikings got for the move and that was four more draft choices. Are you kidding me 13 picks on Saturday? I would be shocked if we do get 13 as I envision moving up by packaging deals.


The thought coming in to the draft was the Vikings trading for Redskins Tackle, Trent Williams which I believe after Friday is a dead deal
.

I can’t wait for 7 more hours of draft coverage Saturday but also know after Saturday it’s back to reruns of sporting events so I am going to enjoy it while I can Saturday.


I love twitter and you can follow me at purple_ stick but here are the draft choices twitter if you want to follow:

Cam Dantzler @camdantzler3

Justin Jefferson @JJettas2

Jeff Gladney @JGreatness_12

Ezra Cleveland @Ezra508



Thank you for reading

Purplestick

SKOL

NFL historical draft a huge success in many ways

April 23^rd was finally here and with that came the first night of the NFL draft. It seems like forever since I have seen sports that is not a repeat. I had so many questions coming in such as just how would this draft work from so many sites? What would it be like not seeing the red carpet, or Commissioner Goodell not shaking and then the typical hug?


Yes 7:00pm finally was here and the Cincinnati Bengals were on the clock. I loved the way Goodell announced the Bengals were on the clock and he made a comment about bring on the booing. This pick who many thought including myself would be LSU Quarterback, Joe Burrows was finally in and with this we would get a glimpse of how each way the pick was shown. I loved seeing each pick shown and with that their families with them.


As the night went on we saw the groups of people with the player and at times showed what appeared to be too many people in the room. It appeared I saw a couple places where we saw people pushing back to spread the crowd out. It had to be hard because each player has worked for this day and these kids wanted to enjoy their day with friends and relatives.


The night itself I give an A plus to all the IT people that made this happen. It went as smooth as could ever be imagined. I give props out to Commissioner Goodell for keeping the draft on the date and making this happen with the casts of thousands.


I absolutely loved as each team name came on the screen and saying the pick was in we saw the team colors shown nice a clear. It was a win in my mind.


I loved the many war rooms and all the cameras that allowed the fans to see what was going on vs the typical year of many people in rooms working together to decide on a pick. I was so intrigued by different set ups.

The examples of I offer up are Tennessee Titans Coach, Mike Vrabel and his background. I look at Coach Mike Zimmer’s cool set up, Dallas owner Jerry Jones sitting in his yacht, and how about Arizona Cardinals Coach, Kliff Kingsbury’s pad? Wow!!! I watched NFL Network Friday morning and they actually ranked the war rooms placing Zimmer’s with 3^rd place, Jerry Jones 2^nd, and Kingsbury winning the best set up.


The draft itself was heavenly to watch as this event is my favorite every year and now this year it was historical.


I look at the teams draft and was surprised by no trades early on. The Detroit Lions and New York Giants both publicly said they were shopping the 3^rd and 5^th picks respectively.


I wanted to look at some of the picks and my thoughts starting with Miami at five taking much talked about Tua Tagovaila. I have heard so much talk about him with his injury problems yet as talented as they come. It was years ago the Dolphins passed on Drew Brees due to a concern of a shoulder injury. It was nice to see they may have learned from past mistakes. I was surprised when he was picked the lack of emotion from his family.


The San Francisco 49ers trade back with Tampa Bay and pick defensive lineman, Javon Kinlaw. The 49ers traded DeForest Buckner in the offseason and now get Kinlaw. This defensive line will be very dominant again this season. I use the phrase the rich get richer with the 49ers dominant line and they are all first round picks.


I loved the Raiders draft choice, wide receiver, Henry Ruggs and his wearing a robe and hanging out at home. Can we say comfort in our own house? The Tampa Bay pick, Tristan Wirfs if you haven’t seen his video at the swimming pool please check it out. He is in the pool and lunges out of the pool and lands on his feet. This is a big man and will be a key part to protecting Tom Brady.


The New Orleans Saints pick, center from the University of Michigan, Ceasar Ruiz and his emotional reaction to getting drafted. I loved the virtual hug by Commissioner Goodell to Ruiz.


The Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers draft picks shocked the world as Dallas needing all sorts of defensive help takes Oklahoma wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb. The Packers maybe the biggest shock of the night trade up and draft quarterback. Jordan Love. Wow was this a shock and will be talked about for days and or months to come. How does Aaron Rodgers feel about this? 


The Carolina Panthers select Defensive Tackle, Derrick Brown out of Auburn and my mind goes right to the Outback Bowl vs the Gophers. I thought the Gophers did a great job of making Brown look average. I know Carolina is on the Vikings schedule so we shall see how Brown does.


I think one of the more strange things of the night was the Commissioner announcing the Las Vegas Raiders with the pick. It was hard to hear even though I know it has actually happened. It will always be the Oakland Raiders in my mind.


The draft was in the twenties knowing pick 22 was getting closer knowing names I hoped were still available. The Philadelphia Eagles at 21 I thought for sure would take Justin Jefferson as they are in such need of help. I then heard Goodell announce the Eagles have taken Jalen Reagor my heart went back to normal beat.




It was awesome to see Commissioner Goodell do the SKOL chant before announcing the Vikings pick. I hoped with the 22^nd pick I would hear the Minnesota Vikings take Justin Jefferson my team did not disappoint. Can you say fired up, wowed, joyous for a few words to describe my mindset?


I was even happier when the Vikings took with the 31st pick, Jeff Gladney a much needed cornerback for the Purple. I actually was nervous because the Vikings traded out of 25 and at the time I was not sure what pick we got. I was not sure if the team would trade out of the 1^st round and save 1^st round money.


First round Vikings cornerbacks have not worked out lately as we saw Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes both gone. I add with the last first round wide receiver pick, Laqoun Treadwell a bust I feel confident in saying I believe Jefferson and Gladney will make it. It’s a gut feeling and I will roll with that.


The draft in closing saw a record 15 SEC players go in the first round and 5 from the Big 10. I look forward to the next two days of the draft and see how Rick Spielman and Coach Zimmer pan out.

The teams I thought had a great night besides the Vikings were the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers.


Thanks for reading

Purplestick

My thoughts on the 2020 Vikings draft

The NFL draft is getting closer and closer in fact it starts April 23^rd as you know. The world we live in with so many unknowns will impact the NFL draft as well.


Yes it was going to be in Las Vegas who even would have closed a main street so hundreds of thousands of fans could jam in. The Covid 19 has shut that down as well. It will be strange not seeing a draft pick introduced and in turn meet the Commissioner and give him a hug. There will be no red carpet with limos dropping of players. There will be no NFL experts sitting at a table and breaking each pick down or what they think the next team will do.


This whole thing is a unreal unknown as pro days we few if any so how will the scouts know these players. The chance to talk face to face is gone. Yes technology will help so face timing, using zoom or any other means to talk to the potential picks.


It was announced Sunday Commissioner Goodell will announce each pick from his basement. It will be strange not to see the normal war rooms as they are strategizing their picks. I have read that the picks will be from several different homes. 
The talk of not so many trades will be interesting to see if that comes true. I think the first two rounds of player’s people will know of but as the rounds keep coming because of the lack of pro days could potentially hurt players. I believe the combine in Indianapolis is a good thing to happen before all things have escalated to social distancing.


This will be the first year my wife and I won’t attend the Vikings draft party and I am ok with that is health is everything. I will assume one day things will get into the norm again.


As for the Vikings draft and know for now they have 12 picks including two first round picks thanks to the Stefon Diggs trade to Buffalo.


I am real interested to see if the Vikings make a trade to obtain disgruntled Washington Redskin, Trent Williams. I know he is 32 years old and has been a dominant tackle earlier in his career, I would not mind a trade but please don’t give up the bank for him.


If the Vikings do not trade for him I would not be surprised to package one first round pick and a later pick to move up. The thing is move up to get what would be the question. My thought on pressing need is defensive back, Offensive tackle and wide receiver and I would say in that order or flip the tackle and defensive back around.


The fact I have more time than normal due to our fun stay home order gives me time to watch way more football than I ever have as far as the draft. This time of the year by far and away is my favorite time of the year. I always feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas I say every year almost a copy and paste.


I saw a mock draft that had us taking Wide Receiver, Justin Jefferson from LSU who had a huge National Championship game this recent January at pick 23. I saw then at pick 25 an Offensive Tackle Austin Jackson out of Southern California University. If this would go down I would be one ecstatic Vikings fan.


If not there are two players I am very high on and they are Wide Receiver, Denzel Mims out of Baylor and safety, Grant Delpit from the National Champion LSU Tigers
.

It’s funny because in the mock draft that has us taking Jefferson and Jackson while Mims is slotted to be taken by Green Bay with the 30^th pick and 31^st pick by the San Francisco 49ers would take Delpit.

The mock draft no one knows for sure especially this year with the craziness of the virus.
 I will throw one thing out and my prediction the Vikings will take a quarterback with the 2^nd or 3^rd round. The draft has some real god quarterbacks and an intriguing one out of Utah State, Jordan Love.


That’s all for now

Thank you for reading

Purplestick