Games » And they do look a bit similar"

The two draft experts from ESPN are at it again Eric Kendricks Jersey , as Todd McShay and Mel Kiper have each released what they call their “Grade A” mock drafts. In these mocks, they both project three rounds and make the selections that would give each NFL team an “A” in the post-draft grades that are always at least three years too premature in being handed out.(I say that every year. Nobody listens. Ah, well.)Both of these “Grade A” mocks are behind the great E$PN paywall, but we can talk about the discussions. The sequence of picks that both men make for the Minnesota Vikings are similar, though the prioritization might be something that fans won’t agree with. Both men took an offensive lineman in Round 1, a defensive tackle in Round 2, and a running back in Round 3.As a matter of fact, both Kiper and McShay selected the same offensive lineman in Round 1, as they both tab University of Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams with the 18th pick. Both men, rightly, point out that Williams would be a huge addition to the Vikings’ offensive line, with Kiper pointing out that he could start immediately at either guard or tackle. Frankly http://www.thevikingslockerroom.com/authentic-latavius-murray-jersey , if Williams falls to #18, the Vikings should be running to the podium to give their card to Roger Goodell. . .but that’s just my opinion.Moving on to Round 2, both McShay and Kiper selected a player that could slot in as the Vikings’ new three-technique tackle to replace the departed Sheldon Richardson. Kiper decides to select Ohio State defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones (a name that has appeared a lot in our Mock Draft Database as a second-round pick for the Vikings), while McShay opts for Miami (FL) tackle Gerald Willis. Both Jones and Willis have their issues against the run, but if the Vikings want to attempt to replicate Richardson’s disruptiveness in the pass game, either of those two guys would be a solid pick.The running back position gets featured in Round 3 in these “Grade A” mocks, with McShay selecting Iowa State back David Montgomery, while Kiper decides to select Miles Sanders out of Penn State. While I’m not sure if running back is a spot I’d use a third-rounder on, of the two options presented I think I’d probably lean a bit more towards Montgomery. I think he’s a better receiver than Sanders, and that’s something the Vikings seem to value out of their running backs. Not that Sanders would be a bad selection, necessarily. . .I just like Montgomery a little more.What do you think of these “Grade A” drafts, folks? Would either of them get an “A” from you? A commitment to running the ball manifests itself in a variety of ways. One key aspect of the run-pass mix comes on third and short.When the distance to earn a first down is relatively small (for these purposes Womens Trae Waynes Jersey , five yards or less), the offense can run or it can pass. The possibility that it will be either a run or a pass keeps the defense on its toes. But when an offense has opted to pass on the vast majority of third-and-short plays, a defense will be more inclined to defend against the pass — and better equipped to shut down the drive.For the Vikings, their run-pass ratio on third and short has been out of whack.Based on the official NFL game book for the 13 games played by the Vikings in 2018, the Vikings have run the ball on third and five, or shorter, only 13 of 80 times. On the other 67 occasions, the Vikings either threw the ball (59 times), took a sack (eight times), or the quarterback scrambled (once).Against the Seahawks, the Vikings ran three times on third and short, passing four times. That was by far the highest run ratio on third and short this year.In the first four games of the season Danielle Hunter Jersey , which produced a 1-2-1 record, the Vikings threw the ball 27 times on third and short, and they ran the ball only once.The Vikings may have spotted the trend during the bye week. Before the two-week break between games, they ran five times on third and short and passed 48 times (9.4 percent runs). Since then, the ratio has become eight runs and 19 passes (29.6 percent runs).Over the final three games of the regular season, it will be very interesting to see whether the Vikings opt to run or pass on third and short. In order to maximize the success rate, and to extend drives as long as possible, the ultimate goal will be to convert as many of those opportunities as possible.Which means that interim offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski likely will need to dial up a run in those spots far more frequently than former offensive coordinator John DeFilippo did.