2010 Minnesota Vikings NFL Draft
They say it takes 3 years to properly evaluate a draft class, but in this new feature, Draftseason takes a look at some classes that are in jeopardy of becoming failures due to the early returns on its selections. We start by taking a look at the 2010 Minnesota Vikings class.
Needs heading into 2010 NFL Draft
QB | Offensive Line | S | CB | Backup RB | DT
QUESTIONABLE CALLS
ROUND 1 Pick 30: Vikings trade down with the Detroit Lions. Who then select RB Jahvid Best.
The Vikings had seemed to have had their mind made up on Chris Cook with the way the draft fell and decided they could get him a little later. Looking back, the right move would have been to jump on Rodger Saffold, or Jahvid Best if they wanted a compliment to Adrian Peterson so badly. Players Passed On: RB Jahvid Best, OT Rodger Saffold, DT Brian Price
ROUND 2 Pick 34: Chris Cook CB, Virginia
The Vikings were smitten with Cook’s blend of size and speed and figured he could become a shutdown corner in this league. Cook ended up missing most of his rookie season with injuries and when he did play, he was downright terrible. Cook had an off the field incident the following summer where he allegedly pulled a gun on someone. He was flashing during his second season before being charged with a felony for strangling his girlfriend. Cook was recently supsended by the team, and will be lucky avoid jail time or being flat out released. Players Passed On: QB Colt McCoy, S TJ Ward, DT LaMarr Houston
ROUND 2 Pick 51: Toby Gerhart RB, Stanford
The Vikings wanted a complimentary back to pair with Adrian Peterson since they lost Chester Taylor in free agency. So they traded up to take Toby Gerhart in Round 2. Now this isn’t so much a knock on Toby, as he has shown some ability on the field, but why on God’s green Earth do you trade a third round pick to move up and take a player at a position where you currently have the best player in the league at? Running backs, especially backup up/complimentary types are the easiest positions to fill, and can be had at basically any point in the draft. This pick was extremely surprising at the time, and with the little amount of time Gerhart has seen on the field, is very disappointing. Players Passed On: QB Colt McCoy, OT Charles Brown, DE Carlos Dunlap, LB Sean Lee
ROUND 3 Pick 93: Traded to Texans for Gerhart
Players Passed On: TE Jimmy Graham, WR Mike Williams, CB Alterraun Verner
ROUND 5 Pick 161: Chris DeGeare G, Wake Forest
DeGeare played sparingly for the Vikings his rookie year. He showed up to camp in 2011 terribly out of shape. He is currently on team’s practice squad. Players Passed On: OT Marshall Newhouse
ROUND 5 Pick 167: Nate Triplett LB, Minnesota
Triplett was cut after his first training camp. He spent some time with the Colts before being released. Players Passed On: WR Antonio Brown
ROUND 7 Pick 214: Mickey Shuler TE, Penn St.
Shuler was cut by the Vikings who hoped to get him on their practice squad. He was picked up by the Dolphins and has yet to do anything. Players Passed On: OT J’Marcus Webb, LB Dekoda Watson
Saving Graces
ROUND 4 Pick 100: Everson Griffen DE, USC
Griffen has had some run ins off the field but seems to have matured this year. He has shown flashes on and off this season and has ten tackles and three sacks. If he continues to develop and keeps out of trouble, he could evolve into a solid contributor.
ROUND 6 Pick 199: Joe Webb QB, UAB
The Vikings drafted Webb in hopes of converting him to WR. He ended up his rookie season as their starting QB. He has shown flashes in his career and is dynamic when running the ball. He could still end up as a WR at some point, but will likely develop into a quality backup QB.
ROUND 7 Pick 237: Ryan D’Imperio LB, Rutgers
The Vikings drafted D’Imperio and then converted him to fullback. He isn’t going to be anything special but he is on their current 53 man roster, so he’s got that going for him.
CAN BE SAVED IF:
This class can be turned around if Chris Cook avoids jail time and becomes a better human. He was really playing well before his suspension and if he continues to develop, could become the shutdown corner the Vikings envisioned when they drafted him. The Toby Gerhart trade will never look good, but if he is able to spell Peterson a little more often and get a few TDs here and there, it will lessen the blow. Everson Griffen will also need to stay out of trouble, and continue to improve.
