“Cover 32” Says Vikings 2014 Draft Class Was 3rd Worst

The Minnesota Vikings 2014 draft class was what experts called one of the best draft classes of the year.  Minnesota once again landed two first round draft picks and obtained (arguably) the second best pass rusher and (debateably) the best quarterback in the class.  Yet, the media likes the nitpick and try to find things wrong with anything.

One outspoken webpage that really didn’t like what the Vikings did in the draft was Cover 32.  In an article called “Power Rankings: Rating the draft for each NFL team from 1-32“, the unnamed author listed only as Cover 32 Staff dumped on the Vikings draft in one of the most hardcore ways.  Here is the excerpt about the Vikings from the article:

"“30. Minnesota Vikings – Some people loved what the Vikings did, but it didn’t dazzle me; a team should get a better haul with two first-round picks (see Cleveland). Anthony Barr is a guy who teams fell in love with because of his measurables; I’d like him to be more of a “football player.” And Teddy Bridgewater has the makings of another bust at quarterback for Minnesota. Trading back into the first round to grab him was a mistake.”"

Oct 18, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) scrambles with the ball during the second half of play against the UCF Knights at Papa John

So, Anthony Barr can’t play football and Teddy Bridgewater looks like a bust.  Barr accumulated 23.5 sacks in his two years at linebacker in college and forced 10 fumbles.  While he’s not as polished as other players, saying he’s not much of a football player is an insult to his ability on the field.  While we’re talking about insults, let’s discuss his views on Bridgewater.  He firmly believes Teddy “has the makings” of a bust, yet he finds inferior quarterbacks like Tom Savage (who he calls “intriguing”), AJ McCarron (who he believes will push Dalton for the starting job) and Blake Bortles to be great picks.

Also, this unnamed author doesn’t mention the draft steals that Minnesota had in the later rounds.  Guys like David Yankey, Scott Crichton and Antone Exum were players projected to go far sooner than they did.

If Bridgewater turns out to be a bust and Barr isn’t a football player, I’ll be surprised.  But when I’m wrong, I’m willing to admit it.  I just don’t believe the words of this unnamed author to be true.