The Minnesota Vikings made six picks on Day 3 of the 2010 NFL Draft, including USC Defensive End Everson Griffen, who was the 2nd pick in the 4th round (100th overall), according to ESPN.com. Rounds 4 to 7 took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City Saturday. The Vikings picked 3 offensive players and 3 defensive players on the last day of the 2010 NFL Draft, which was broadcast live on ESPN’s networks all three days. The Minnesota Vikings may have scored a potential hit by drafting Everson Griffen. But based on the chatter by the so-called experts on ESPN, his past inconsistent play could mean a potential bust.
Will Everson Griffen Be A Future Star of the Minnesota Vikings, Chosen in the 4th Round of the 2010 NFL Draft?
Besides the USC standout, Minnesota did draft a quarterback in the 6th round (199th overall pick), Joe Webb of UAB (who has some receiving experience). He had a quarterback rating of 150.70, throwing for 2,299 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2009, according to ESPN.com. Will this draft pick be seen as a real threat to Brett Farve’s decision to come back for another year? No. Chris DeGeare, an Offensive Guard from Wake Forest was drafted in the 5th round (161st pick overall) and Tight End Mickey Shuler of Penn State was taken in the 7th round (214th pick overall). There’s some potential help on offense here if these men earn jobs this summer.
But the real potential standout pick of the Vikes from Day 3 of the 2010 NFL Draft is Everson Griffen. For someone standing at 6′ 3 3/8″, weighing at 273 pounds, and who dominated the NFL Combine by ranking first amongst Defensive Ends in both the 40 yard dash (4.66) and bench press (32.0), according to ESPN.com, it’s surprising that he didn’t go higher. According to the talking heads chatting on ESPN Saturday, there has been concern over his inconsistent play and motivation. The good news is that he can get any needed “attitude adjustments” by being potentially “mentored” by such stars on the Vikings defense like DEs Jared Allen and Ray Edwards. Can those two veterans help bring this guy up to where he’ll really contribute in the future to Minnesota’s defense? Only time will tell.
The Vikings also drafted 2 of the 13 Inside Linebackers taken in the 2010 NFL Draft, that being Minnesota’s Nathan Triplett in the 5th Round (167th pick overall) and Ryan D’Imperio of Rutgers in the 7th Round (237th pick overall). The team is serious about addressing their defensive problems, especially their pass defense, that was ranked 19th last year and saw too many big plays given up through the air. The team’s first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft was Virginia’s Chris Cook in the 2nd round, a Cornerback.
Overall, the Vikings had a good draft, except they really should’ve taken a quarterback like Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy when they had the chance to grab either one in the 2nd Round, but didn’t. A Super Bowl-serious team needs solid leadership there, and Minnesota’s powers-that-be need to get this “all eggs in one basket” attitude over Brett Farve eradicated. The Vikes need to be focused on the future at the quarterback position beyond 2010. You can read about Day 2 of the Vikings doings at the 2010 NFL Draft at this Associated Content article here.
Sources for this article about the Minnesota Vikings Choosing Everson Griffen on Day 3 of the 2010 NFL Draft:
Minnesota Vikings 2010 Picks: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/teams/_/team/min/minnesota-vikings ESPN.com, ESPN.com
2010 NFL Draft, Day 3, April 24, 2010, ESPN
Everson Griffen: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/player/combine?id=25732&_slug_=everson-griffen&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl%2fdraft%2fplayer%2fcombine%3fid%3d25732%26_slug_%3deverson-griffen, ESPN.com
Joe Webb: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/player?id=25810&_slug_=joe-webb&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl%2fdraft%2fplayer%3fid%3d25810%26_slug_%3djoe-webb, ESPN.com
