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Do you see any likely scenario that lands either Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon in Minnesota? -- Derrick Bulthuis Prinsburg, MN
I don't know if I'd call it likely, but it's possible. Remember, running back was not considered a need for the Vikings back in 2007, but Adrian Peterson was selected anyway because Rick Spielman has a philosophy of taking the best player available regardless of position. It only stands to reason, then, that if the Vikings are on the clock in any round this year and a running back happens to be the best player on the board, the Vikings will consider selecting that player. And if that scenario happens in the first round, then Gordon or Gurley could be the pick.
If we select Dante Fowler with the No. 11 pick, what would our 4-3 LB corps look like? Would we push Chad Greenway to the middle to fill that need and put Fowler where Greenway plays? Greenway already wears the green (communication device) sticker. -- Jackson Pollock
Interesting question. Sliding Greenway to the middle and playing Anthony Barr and Fowler on the outside in the base package is one option. Another option would be to keep Greenway in his current spot and use him more in one group of packages (base) and then use Fowler in another group of packages (sub packages). Ultimately, selecting Fowler could create a bit of a logjam at the outside linebacker spot, but there's nothing wrong with having a logjam of talented players at a position.
If both Brandon Scherff and Trae Waynes are off the board at No. 11, do you see the Vikings trading back to get more picks and the ability to add more depth or do they go for the best player available at No. 11? -- Sebastian Reuter Malmö Sweden
Even with Scherff or Waynes on the board at No. 11, the Vikings are still candidates to trade back. In fact, if you think Scherff or Waynes is a fit, you can even argue a trade is more likely with them available because the Vikings would only trade back if they were certain that a player they want will still be there when they are on the clock again. In Sebastian's scenario, though, where both Scherff and Waynes are off the board, the Vikings will choose the top-rated player on their board unless a team behind them offers a deal they can't refuse. The climate is there for a trade back for the Vikings because seven of the nine teams from No. 12 to No. 20 have a surplus of picks and can thus afford to move up if they'd like, plus the two teams with two first-round picks (Cleveland and New Orleans) are the two teams directly behind the Vikings at No. 12 and No. 13.
Why are offensive tackles usually taller than offensive guards and centers? -- Gerald Amonson
A blocker with a longer arm length (among other traits) is typically better-suited to block agile, explosive and fast pass rushers who are coming off the edge of the formation. Athletes with longer arms also tend to be taller, so that's a simplistic answer to why offensive tackles are generally taller than offensive guards and centers.
Do you see the Vikings getting some home prime time games this upcoming season? -- Martel Ramdin Brooklyn Park, MN
With a young franchise quarterback, a defense on the rise, a young and exciting nucleus of players and a head coach a lot of people believe in, the Vikings are becoming an attractive team to put on prime time. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Vikings with a few prime time matchups this season, but whether the schedule makers put those games in Minnesota or not is anyone's guess. I wouldn't be surprised to see one, maybe a Sunday nighter, but it's only a guessing game right now.
