Ten & Six With Mike Otto: The 2014 Draft Class

The future's looking bright... and wouldn't I be exactly what it's lookin' like...

Well, hello again, Vikings fans!  Welcome to a special mid-summer edition of Ten & Six!

Mike Otto's spent most of the offseason sipping drinky drinks in exotic locations, but his love for The Purple hasn't wavered.  In a fit of draft-based excitement he abandoned the easy life of the non-blogger, busted out his computer, and got back to work.

Mikey, what'd you think of this year's draft for YOUR Minnesota Vikings?

With the Vikings 2014 draft now in the rear view mirror and all the picks signed to new deals of varying lucrative value, I think it's an appropriate time to take a look at the new guys most likely to make the final roster.

I have a good feeling about this draft class. I really believe The Vikings might have picked up a couple future Pro Bowlers, but before we start fitting anybody for HOF jackets, let's have a glance at what they potentially bring to the table. From top to bottom, lets roll!

Round 1: Pick 9

Anthony Barr

Linebacker - UCLA

6'5", 255 lbs.

Physically, Barr is a freak of nature. In terms of experience at his current position, though, he only has 2 years. Barr switched from full back to 3-4 OLB his Junior year and never looked back.

In 2012, he battled through a concussion and a broken finger to start all 14 games, recording 83 tackles (21 for loss), 13.5 sacks, 5 pass break-ups, 4 forced fumbles, a blocked kick and a safety. He also did the world a favor and dealt a season ending blow to then USC QB Matt Barkley. Not too shabby for your first year playing a new position. His senior year was no different, it started with a concussion in fall camp but it didn't cause him to miss a start. In 13 games at ROLB he tallied 65 tackles (20 for loss), 10 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and a pass break-up.

Barr represents an immediate upgrade at LB for the Vikings and barring injury should easily replace Chad Greenway as the best LB on the roster. After losing Jared Allen in free agency, Barr's ability to get into the backfield and after the QB was highly coveted by Spiel, Zim and Zyg. That sounds like an awful Vegas act if I ever heard one. Can't wait to watch this guy play.

Round 2: Pick 32

Teddy Bridgewater

Quarterback - Louisville

6'2", 214 lbs

In 3 years starting at Louisville Bridgewater completed 68% of his passes for 9,817 yards, with 72 TD's compared to 24 INT's. Gaudy numbers no doubt somewhat inflated by inferior competition. Worth noting, when given a chance to play top ranked SEC defenses in bowl games, he dominated them as well.

Though he is a bit lean and lanky, he only missed one start in college due to a fractured wrist and sprained ankle he sustained in a triple OT loss against UCONN (Ugh...). He finished that game with aforementioned injuries, leading a furious comeback only to fall shirt in OT. Undeniably, a very gutty performance.

Bridgewater is really a student of the game. He ran a pro-style west coast offense at Louisville. He recognizes the blitz very well, anticipating where it will come from and making necessary adjustments. He has the ability to step up into the pocket and keep eyes downfield in the face of pressure. He's not much of a threat to run, looking very awkward in the open field. Last year against Cincinnati, his game was noticeably affected by cold, windy conditions. Struggles to drive the ball through wind. Desperately needs to bulk up. Would like to see him add at least 5 pounds of muscle or durability could be an issue.

Bottom line, the Vikings got great value snagging Bridgewater at 32. Six months ago, if you had told me my favorite team would land a top ten defensive talent AND Teddy Bridgewater, I would have told you to lay off the dope. He is a gamer, he works hard and wants nothing more than to perfect his craft. He has a few big hurdles to jump. The slight frame, smaller-than-ideal hands and questions about his arm strength. We need patience with this guy, he's just 21 years old, (born in 93?!? Jesus...) so let's not freak out if he doesn't win the starting job right away. Now if he marries a blonde ESPN reporter and starts staring down receivers, TIME TO FREAK THE FUCK OUT!

Round 3: Pick 72

Scott Crichton

Defensive End - Oregon State

6'2", 273 lbs

Long arms and a lean, muscular build. Can get under a tackles pads and drive them back. Quick off the snap with decent technique puts him in good position to make plays. Probably would have benefited by going back to Oregon State for his senior year. Dominated by double teams. Seems to lack a plan when rushing the QB. Can get sucked into the line and lose containment. A raw talent that will require a lot of coaching and patience. Cocluded his 3 year career with the O-State Beavers (there's a joke somewhere in there) as the leader in forced fumbles (10) and 3rd in sacks (22.5). Revealed at the combine that he left school a year early to support his family. His mother works 2 jobs and his father still works even though he has an amputated leg (life is hard, kids). Rooting for this guy. He's at least 3 years and 15 pounds of muscle away from being a starter in this league.

Round 3: Pick 96

Jerick McKinnon

Running Back - Georgia Southern

5'9", 209 lbs

Was really an everyman for GSU. Mainly an offensive threat, but did tally 2 INT's and a handful of tackles at cornerback over his college career. 2012, his best year in college by far, he really broke out, starting 14 games, 4 at running back and the final 10 at QB (figure it out Georgia Southern) rushing for 1,817 yards and 20 TD's on 269 carries and going 20-49 for 597 yards with 7 TD's compared to 3 INT's through the air. Throw in one catch for 15 yards and you really have one impressive, bullshit division II college football performance.

Great athlete. Top 5 performer in 7 combine drills. Bench presses twice his weight and squats 3 times his weight (damn, dude!). As mentioned before, he has good versatility, he has superb work ethic, and finishes every run hard, always falling forward for a couple extra yards. Solid, efficient cut blocker. More than likely will get very limited touches his first year, filling the extra blocker roll on passing downs for the Vikings. Not elusive at all, looks hesitant and stiff at times. Hopeful he can become a solid 3rd down/spell back for AP in the years to come.

Round 5: Pick 145

David Yankey

Offensive Lineman - Stanford

6'6", 315 lbs

Very good size. He is one big fella! Projected to go in the 2nd-3rd round, finding him in the 5th was really a steal. Versatile. Played both tackles and guards in college and had success at every spot. Smart, dependable and durable. Can be effective in a short pull from either guard spot. Does not overpower defenders, stiff technique at times, once he is beat, he does not recover. 100% certain he will play guard for Vikings, barring injuries to the tackles. Won't get any style points from that position, but will generally get the job done. Great value pick and a great addition in terms of offensive line depth. 

Round 6: Pick 182

Antone Exum

Cornerback/Safety - Virginia Tech

6'0", 213 lbs

Besides having one badass name, Antone Exum adds depth to the Vikings secondary, having played full college years at both safety and cornerback, and having success at both challenging positions. Starting all 14 games in 2011 at safety he tallied 89 tackles (5 for loss), 10 pass break-ups and 1 INT with 1.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Antone moved to CB in in 2012 and in 13 starts tallied 48 tackles (2 for loss), 16 pass break-ups, 5 INT's with 2 forced fumbles. Good balls skills and body control, thickly defined muscle packed onto his 6 foot frame. Used as an effective gunner and jammer on special teams in college. Average quickness and burst, would struggle in jump balls against NFL receivers. Needs coaching on technique, likes to do things his own way (which won't work in the NFL). Extremely confident, bordering on cocky, likely will face a reality check. Had arthroscopic knee surgery to clean up damaged ligament cartilage in the off-season, which made him slip in the draft. Must prove he still has the same physical presence he flashed in college. Not fast/athletic enough to play CB in the NFL. Vikings will use him as a safety/special teams beast. 

Late Round Flotsam Projects

CB Kendeall James (pick 184), DT Shamar Stephen (pick 220), LB Brandon Watts (pick 223), CB Jabari Price (pick 225) will all, in a best case scenario, be practice-squad bound. Worst case scenario, look for some new Metro Transit bus drivers on your favorite routes come September.

Overall, a very impressive draft class on paper, I'll get back to you in two years mmmmmmmkay?

Enjoy the summer everybody, keep it weird. 

There you have it, football fans!  Lots of potential on both sides of the ball.  Don't worry if you can't remember these names tomorrow - you'll know them well by 2018 when the Vikings become the first team to play in a Super Bowl it's also hosting!

Sorry, got carried away with the optimism.  It's the offseason.

For more Mike Otto be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters).  The line between sad & entertaining runs awfully thin during the offseason.  He can also be found right here on Newest Industry contributing to our Trendsetting column.

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