2018 gopherwrestler Mock. V1

[gopherwrestler]

Well it has come that time of year where I can finally come out with a mock that I have been working on.
It will consist of a full off season, with an OC coaching hire, free agent signings, and reworking some of the current contracts on the roster. Enjoy.
Feel free to hate on it all you want

 

2018 OFFSEASON

Coaching Staff
HC: Mike Zimmer
OC: Darrell Bevell
QBC: Kevin Stefanski
DC: George Edwards

 

Retiring Players

Terrence Newman
Brian Robison
Joe Berger
 

Free Agents Returning
Teddy Bridgewater  - 1 year, $10.5M
Marcus Sherels
Shamar Stephen
Kai Forbath
Jeremiah Sirles
Nick Easton
Anthony Harris

Players Cut
Sharrif Floyd (Saves $6,575,000)
 

New Contracts
Anthony Barr - 4 year, $50m, $26M Guaranteed
Latavius Murray - 1 year extension $3M/$4M/$4M $5M Guaranteed

 

New Free Agents
Andrew Norwell, G, Carolina Panthers

5 year, $60M, $31M guaranteed
 

Norwell is the best option to go to improve this offense. I believe solidifying what I want with this line to look like for a good amount of the future. We would now have Elfien, Reiff, Norwell, and Remmers locked up for at least the next 3 year. While this is heavy contract, we will be gaining this money from currently just going to Teddy Bridgewater for the year as a stop-gap, and the big cut of Sharif Floyd. Even with this signing we are capable of still being able to sign Kendricks/Hunter/Waynes/Diggs in the near future.
 

Nickell Robey-Coleman

2 years, $6M, $2M guaranteed

I was pushing to get this guy signed last year. With Newman retiring, it sure would be nice to lock up another vet CB that is able to play in the slot. Still, as an undersized corner, he is a very solid option in the slot and still will push Mac, and give us a good rotation. We have been seeing injuries to Rhodes and Mack all year long. This is just one more option for us to keep us in shape.

 

 

 

 

 

The Draft

1. Cleveland Browns - Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
2. New York Giants - Saquan Barkley, RB, Penn St.
3. Indianapolis Colts - Bradley Chubb, Edge, N Carolina St.
4. Cleveland Browns - Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
5. Denver Broncos - Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
6. New York Jets - Sam Darnold, QB, USC
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
8. Chicago Bears - Marcus Davenport, Edge, UTSA
9. San Francisco 49ers - Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
10. Oakland Raiders - Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
11. Miami Dolphins - Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
12. Cincinnati Bengals - Conner Williams, T, Texas
13. Washington Redskins - Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
14. Green Bay Packers - Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio St
15. Arizona Cardinals - Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
16. Baltimore Ravens - Orlando Brown, T, Oklahoma
17. LA Chargers - Mike McGlinchey, T, Notre Dame
18. Seattle Seahawks -  Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
19. Dallas Cowboys -  Vita Vea, DT, Washington
20. Detroit Lions - Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
21. Buffalo Bills - Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
22. Buffalo Bills - Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College
23. LA Rams - Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
24. Carolina Panthers - Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
25. Tennessee Titans - Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia
26. Atlanta Falcons - Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
27. New Orleans Saints - Rasheen Evans, LB, Georgia
28. Pittsburgh Steelers - Derwin James, S, Florida St.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars - Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota St.
30. Minnesota Vikings - Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
31. Philadelphia Eagles - Chukwuma Okorafor , OT, Western Michigan
32. New England Patriots - Hercules Mata'afa, Edge, Washington St.

Round 2

33. Cleveland Browns - Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
34. New York Giants - Brian O'Niell, OT, Pittsburgh
35. Cleveland Browns - Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
36. Indianapolis Colts - James Washington, WR, Oklahoma St.
37. New York Jets - Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Kolten Miller, OT, UCLA
39. Chicago Bears - Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
40. Denver Broncos - Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise St.
41. Oakland Raiders - Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado St.
42.  Miami Dolphins - Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
44. Washington Redskins - Nick Chubb, RB, Oklahoma
45. Green Bay Packers - Josh Sweat, Edge, Texas
46. Cincinnati Bengals - Billy Price, C/G, Ohio St.
47. Arizona Cardinals - Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma St.
48. LA Chargers - Trenton Thompson, DT, Georgia
49. New York Jets - Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio St.
50. Dallas Cowboys - Auden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
51. Detroit Lions - Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
52. Baltimore Ravens - Deon Cain, WR, Clemson
53. Buffalo Bills - Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn
54. Kansas City Chiefs - Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
55. Carolina Panthers - Sam Hubbard, Edge, Ohio St.
56. Buffalo Bills - Ogbo Okoronkwo, Edge, Oklahoma
57. Tennessee Titans - Arden Key, Edge, LSU
58. Atlanta Falcons - James Daniels, C/G, Iowa
59. San Francisco 49ers - Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
60. Pittsburgh Steelers - Lorenzo Carter, Edge, Georgia
61. Jacksonville Jaguars - Will Hernendez, G, UTEP
62. Minnesota Vikings - Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford
63. Cleveland Browns - Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon
64. New England Patriots - Luke Falk, QB, Washington St.

 

Vikings Draft
Round 1
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

 

I've said it before, but I gave Jackson a Rnd 2 grade. But with our future in the air at the QB position, this is the biggest position of need for our future. The guy needs a lot of work. There isn't a doubt about it, but picking toward the back end of the 1st this is your best shot at finding your franchise QB. With Teddy still on the roster, there is a chance he can sit back and develop as something. Darell Bevell whipped Russell Wilson into shape (far more developed passer than Jackson), but maybe he can do something with Jackson as well.

 

Round 2
Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford

Zimmer loves his wrestlers. 3 time state high school champ wrestler. The guy is an absolute monster. 103 tackles, 17 tackles for loss. While he did play a lot of NT while hanging around at Stanford he has the ability to move towards that 5 tech. Has a chance to demand double teams, and will be able to gain pressure for us on the interior while helping in the run game also. I gave him a late second round grade, hopefully we will be able to find him in the tail end of the second round.

 

Round 3
Chad Thomas, DE, Miami

Lets face it, our pass rush died at the end of the year. Griffen battled injuries, Hunter just never got it going great, and Robison is good as gone. Here is your project Zimmer/Patterson. He is just one of my guys. His hand use is great, and he has an excellent motor. He just needs basically the Danielle Hunter work. Another one of those guys that didn't have a ton of sacks, but he is a guy that I believe can get them. Sets an edge well in the run game. With his motor, I think he would be great to be a situation pass rusher if he can get it figured out.

 

Round 5
Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida

My favorite WR in the draft. I know many of you won't agree with this picture but look at our future at WR. Adam Thielen is going to be here for a while, but we see him battle injuries. Diggs has battled injuries throughout his whole career from college to the pros. Treadwell isn't doing anything for us. Wright is toward the end of his contract, Floyd is gone, Coley I have a little faith in, but I am not buying into him, and I still have no faith in Adams outside of a speed guy. Callaway is by far the best route runner, with great speed. Favorite comp I have heard from him is Sterling Sharpe. He is another guy, like Cook was, that just needs to get out of Florida. He does have some off the field issues, but in the 5th round and you can have a WR1 possibility, I am taking it.

Round 6
Ito Smith, RB, Southern Miss

JR from twitter made me check this guy out. Glad I got onto him early as well. This guy would be perfect for us for our RB3. Great out of the backfield catching passes, and puts up some damn good monster numbers while running the ball. He has some mileage on him tho, at 22 years old in his 4 year career, he has put up almost 6,000 scrimmage yards. One advantage is he is able to take over on the KR side of the ball too. If you guys want a RB3 to check out, here is your guy.

 

COMP PICK ROUND 6
Brian Allen, C, Michigan St.

Here is one of those smart guys. Another high school wrestling state champ. College team captain. 3 year starter. He has the ability to move outside and play the guard positions as he has spend time playing them in previous year. It seems like the Vikings like touching these smart offensive lineman that can play multiple roles. I think this would be a wise selection in case of injuries which we have seen to both Easton and Elfien, we would have the ability to have a center that is worthy of being on an NFL roster.

Comp Pick Round 6
Tony Brown, CB, Alabama

 

Here would be an interesting pick. Kid might just end up being one of the faster guys in the draft. He is a college sprinter that did get some starting work as a freshman in Alabama. Pretty much has been a stand out special teams player but being stuck being Levi Wallace, Minkah Fitzpatrick and company in the depth charts, he hopefully learned something. At 6'0 and 200 lbs with 4.3 speed, maybe this is a guy Zimmer could work on developing at the cornerback position for us.

 

 

 

QB: Teddy Bridgewater // Lamar Jackson // Kyle Sloter
RB: Dalvin Cook // Latavius Murray // Ito Smith // CJ Ham
WR: Stefon Diggs // Adam Thielen // Antonio Callaway // Jarius Wright // Laquon Treadwell // Stacy Coley
TE: Kyle Rudolph // David Morgan // Blake Bell
T: Riley Rieff // Mike Remmers // Rashod Hill // Avantie Collins
G: Andrew Norwell // Nick Easton // Jeremiah Sirles // Danny Isidora
C: Pat Elfien // Brian Allen

 

DE: Everson Griffen // Danielle Hunter // Chad Thomas // Tashawn Bower // Stephan Weatherly
DT: Linval Joseph // Harrison Phillips // Shamar Stephen // Jaleel Johnson
LB: Anthony Barr // Eric Kendricks // Ben Gedeon // Kentrell Brothers // Eric Wilson
CB: Xavier Rhodes // Trae Waynes // Mackenzie Alexander // Nickell Robey-Coleman // Marcus Sherels // Tony Brown
S: Harrison Smith // Andrew Sendejo // Anthony Harris // Jayron Kearse

P: Ryan Quigley
K: Kai Forbath
LS: Kevin McDermott

 

[Heimdallr]

Overall, A+. Pretty much my best case scenario. 

 

6 minutes ago, gopherwrestler said:

30. Minnesota Vikings - Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Steal of the decade if this happens.

 

6 minutes ago, gopherwrestler said:

61. Jacksonville Jaguars - Will Hernendez, G, UTEP
62. Minnesota Vikings - Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford

Missing Hernendez by 1 pick....  A line of Reiff / Norwell / Elflein / Hernendez / Remmers would be dominant. Having Jackson and Cook running behind those 5 would lead the league in rushing by a mile

[Klomp]

I'm trying to keep an open mind about Lamar Jackson, especially if Bevell is the guy at OC.

Maybe I'm crazy, but most of the hype I've seen is from his athleticism/running ability than his skills at QB. I think that's why people bring up the position change for him, especially with his HWS as a great fit at WR. Somebody prove me wrong.

[Heimdallr]

2 minutes ago, Klomp said:

I'm trying to keep an open mind about Lamar Jackson, especially if Bevell is the guy at OC.

Maybe I'm crazy, but most of the hype I've seen is from his athleticism/running ability than his skills at QB. I think that's why people bring up the position change for him, especially with his HWS as a great fit at WR. Somebody prove me wrong.

He has an absolute rocket arm, a quick release and he shows good touch and accuracy when he sets his feet. He has all the intangibles (toughness, leadership, durability, work ethic) you look for in a franchise QB.

His issue is that his footwork isn't developed at all which causes him to be inconsistent and miss some throws. He has natural ability as a passer, but an NFL QB coach will need to teach him proper footwork. He will also need to learn to take snaps from under center (like most college QBs these days). 

[RJWSkol24]

18 minutes ago, Klomp said:

I'm trying to keep an open mind about Lamar Jackson, especially if Bevell is the guy at OC.

Maybe I'm crazy, but most of the hype I've seen is from his athleticism/running ability than his skills at QB. I think that's why people bring up the position change for him, especially with his HWS as a great fit at WR. Somebody prove me wrong.

I am genuinely not trying to undermine your thought process here, as there are legitimate concerns with Jackson and his game.  I just feel the position change rhetoric is a lazy narrative. 

It is almost as though he gets discredited for being athletic.  Jackson is not a good athlete; he is a phenomenal one.  It is part of his appeal and I would consider it a huge positive.  He can push the ball deep and has made strides in each season he has started as a passer.  He has certainly not been stagnant with regards to his proficiency as a passer.  His mechanics are not always great, and he can miss some throws he needs to make.  Overall, however, his question marks are on par with many of the top quarterback prospects we see in recent years.

Lamar Jackson is a toolsy, highly accomplished college quarterback.  Josh Allen is a toolsy prospect who was far from a standout in college, yet we are not moving him to TE.  Most of the chatter around Jackson is just QB bias from the old guard, IMO, and while I am no scouting/QB expert I would much rather cast my lot with Jackson than many of the other traditional QB prospects we have seen go highly in recent years.

[gopherwrestler]

Basically my biggest reason for going with Lamar at 30 is that I truly believe we will be in the back 3/4 of round one for a while. I expect to continue making the playoffs whether it is the wildcard or winning the NFC North.

That being the case, this might be the chance to get the best option for someone who can develop. If he can develop as a QB you have a shot at having something excellent. I really don't believe any QB after Jackson that will be selected will make much of themselves.

[Eric dunn]

I like it. And I’m currently working on my mock right now that has some similarities. 

Everyone knows I’m a big Lamar Jackson fan so that alone makes me like it a lot. Signing Norwell would be huge, I just don’t want to get into a bidding war and over pay. 

I think most Vikings fans would be happy with this mock. 

[Klomp]

26 minutes ago, RJWSkol24 said:

I am genuinely not trying to undermine your thought process here, as there are legitimate concerns with Jackson and his game.  I just feel the position change rhetoric is a lazy narrative. 

It is almost as though he gets discredited for being athletic.  Jackson is not a good athlete; he is a phenomenal one.  It is part of his appeal and I would consider it a huge positive.  He can push the ball deep and has made strides in each season he has started as a passer.  He has certainly not been stagnant with regards to his proficiency as a passer.  His mechanics are not always great, and he can miss some throws he needs to make.  Overall, however, his question marks are on par with many of the top quarterback prospects we see in recent years.

Lamar Jackson is a toolsy, highly accomplished college quarterback.  Josh Allen is a toolsy prospect who was far from a standout in college, yet we are not moving him to TE.  Most of the chatter around Jackson is just QB bias from the old guard, IMO, and while I am no scouting/QB expert I would much rather cast my lot with Jackson than many of the other traditional QB prospects we have seen go highly in recent years.

I get it. Like I said, I'm trying to keep an open mind.

The thing is, being athletic isn't necessary to be a good QB. Personally, I've seen more flashes from Allen DOING QUARTERBACK THINGS than I have from Allen. Maybe that's because I've seen most all of Allen's games at Wyoming while hardly seeing Jackson outside of highlights. I don't know.

Maybe I'm part of that old guard too. I haven't really adjusted fully to the new-age QB. I don't think Cam Newton is a great QB, as he relies too much on his running ability and hasn't developed as a passer. That's what I see from Jackson right now. Maybe he has the tools to develop into more than just a phenomenal athlete playing QB, but I'm just telling you what I've seen from him so far. And Jackson doesn't have the 250-pound frame to hold up to all the hits like Newton does, so that adds some concern as well.

And I disagree that Allen didn't stand out. He did. The fact we're talking about a QB from the University of Wyoming this highly in the draft and have been for a year tells me he did. This isn't a program that's been churning out draft prospects left and right for decades like Louisville has. This is a program that hadn't won 6 measly games in consecutive seasons in almost two decades, and won 8 games in both seasons Allen played there. In Power 5 terms, that's like a program similar to where Duke was 5 years ago. The University of Minnesota looks like a dynasty in comparison.

In terms of being toolsy but raw prospects, you're probably right that there are similarities between the two of them. However, I simply have seen more QB potential in Allen while also seeing more potential in Jackson at WR than Allen at TE. That's why I've never considered a position change. This isn't Tim Tebow at QB we're talking about.

Let me be clear, I'm open to considering Jackson at 30. I'm just trying to get a better grasp of him as a quarterback. I know the athletic tools he has.

[gopherwrestler]

here @Klomp..

Watch something other than highlights
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18YgzTa9WVM0aZOpzva9Fgc_kuSkYh6MMCZ7fOAr_kF4/edit

 

[Klomp]

One more question about Jackson. From your mock it sounds like you want him to sit and develop as a QB for a year. If that's the case, would you still try to get him on the field in situations as a rookie? I'm envisioning a "Slash" role, similar to Kordell Stewart back in the mid-90s. I think he could add another dimension to the offense, even before getting regular playing time.

Is that still an insult to him if a coach asked him to do that?

BTW I am seeing a stronger arm than I initially thought. Still don't know that it's on Allen's level, but it's probably stronger than the rest of the QBs.

[RJWSkol24]

As for the mock...hard to beat.  Seems like an optimistic off-season as it retains all key FA's/signs a potentially line-changing OL/and nabs what I consider a very good QB prospect.  But I will take it after Sunday.

[gopherwrestler]

18 minutes ago, Klomp said:

One more question about Jackson. From your mock it sounds like you want him to sit and develop as a QB for a year. If that's the case, would you still try to get him on the field in situations as a rookie? I'm envisioning a "Slash" role, similar to Kordell Stewart back in the mid-90s. I think he could add another dimension to the offense, even before getting regular playing time.

Is that still an insult to him if a coach asked him to do that?

BTW I am seeing a stronger arm than I initially thought. Still don't know that it's on Allen's level, but it's probably stronger than the rest of the QBs.

I'm not a huge gadget type of guy all the time. I mean he is a play maker with the ball in his hands so I may consider it. Would be interesting if he was actually used in a "wildcat" formation.

 

19 minutes ago, RJWSkol24 said:

As for the mock...hard to beat.  Seems like an optimistic off-season as it retains all key FA's/signs a potentially line-changing OL/and nabs what I consider a very good QB prospect.  But I will take it after Sunday.

whole point of a mock! gotta hope for the best

[RJWSkol24]

4 minutes ago, gopherwrestler said:

whole point of a mock! gotta hope for the best

I know.  I will be bitter for a full week then back on the unfounded enthusiasm train, then finally back to the realistic viewpoint of thinking this team could contend in 2018 with another strong off-season.

[Uncle Buck]

1 hour ago, Heimdallr said:

He has an absolute rocket arm, a quick release and he shows good touch and accuracy when he sets his feet. He has all the intangibles (toughness, leadership, durability, work ethic) you look for in a franchise QB.

His issue is that his footwork isn't developed at all which causes him to be inconsistent and miss some throws. He has natural ability as a passer, but an NFL QB coach will need to teach him proper footwork. He will also need to learn to take snaps from under center (like most college QBs these days). 

Sounds kind of like Tarvaris Jackson 2.0.  I will always remember Chilly's hilarious comment about TJack - "he has a big hose and he knows what to do with it." 

 

[Morleericks]

Why is everyone here so high on Jackson?  I don't see it.

Rather just keep Bridgewater