2014 NFL Draft: Vikings First Round Recap
By Adam Carlson
The Minnesota Vikings worked some of their draft magic today and made some spectacular things happen. Let’s take a quick look at what happened in round one of the 2014 NFL Draft:
#8 overall – The Vikings traded down instead of selecting a player. In what seems to be a tradition for Minnesota, they traded down one spot with the Cleveland Browns and picked up an additional 5th round draft selection. So they ended up with the #9 and #145 overall picks from that trade.
#9 overall – Minnesota was back on the clock right after trading down and selected UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr. Barr is a physical freak who has an unlimited amount of potential as a pass rusher and has the speed to drop in to coverage when asked. While he doesn’t fit the traditional 4-3 scheme, it is unknown what kind of strategy new head coach Mike Zimmer will employ. However, the selection of Barr may have had him show his cards a little early, signifying either a scheme change or hybrid.
To see what I had to say about Anthony Barr prior to Minnesota selecting him, check out my 2014 NFL Draft profile of him HERE
#32 overall – Shocking many viewers, the Vikings traded back into the first round. The consensus was that it was for a quarterback, but which one? Well, it turned out to be Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater. The Vikings traded their #40 overall pick and #108 to move up to Seattle’s spot at #32 overall to get him. The significance of trading back into the first round is huge for Minnesota. First of all, they jumped ahead of the Houston Texans, who are in the market for a franchise quarterback. Secondly, the Vikings secured the 5th year option on Bridgewater’s contract by making him a first round selection. According to Dan Brugler at CBS Sports, Minnesota’s offensive coordinator Norv Turner was “pounding the table” for Bridgewater. I guess it is Christmas Day for Turner, because Minnesota GM Rick Spielman went out and made it happen.
To see what I had to say about Teddy Bridgewater prior to his 2014 NFL Draft selection, click HERE
Here is a list of what the Vikings have after the two trades they made on day one of the 2014 NFL Draft:
- Round 3 – Pick #8 (#72 overall)
- Round 3 – Pick #32 (#96 overall)
- Round 5 – Pick #5 (#145 overall)
- Round 5 – Pick #8 (#148 overall)
- Round 6 – Pick #8 (#184 overall)
- Round 7 – Pick #8 (#223 overall)
With all that ammunition, don’t be surprised to see the Vikings make a move again. After trading down from #4 and then up from #40, Minnesota didn’t lose much at all, gaining a 5th rounder and losing a 4th rounder.
Day 2 of the 2014 NFL Draft should be interesting to say the least. I can’t wait to see what “Slick” Rick Spielman has in store for us.