Minnesota Vikings 2008 Draft Picks:Round 2 (43): Tyrell Johnson, FS, Arkansas State
Round 5 (137): John David Booty, QB, Southern California
Round 5 (152): Letroy Guion, DT, Florida State
Round 6 (187): John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
Round 6 (196): Jaymar Johnson, WR, Jackson State
The Good: There's a reason the Vikings introduced Jared Allen at the team's draft celebration--take him away and there wasn't really any action. After trading away their first, two thirds and fourth-round picks, Minnesota knew they would come out of this year's draft without a whole lot of talent. But second-round safety Tyrell Johnson was rumored to be a late first-rounder by many, and he could step in and start before too long in a secondary led by aging safeties.
The Bad: Sorry Vikings fans, but John David Booty isn't likely to take over for Tarvaris Jackson anytime soon. He's more of a product of a West Coast system who could eventually develop into a solid backup/mediocre starter. He's not the kind of polished quarterback who can push Jackson immediately. Guion was barely a starter at Florida State before surprisingly declaring for the draft after his junior year. He does have some pass-rushing skills, but is a very raw talent. Normally saying that you drafted the best lineman for Notre Dame would mean a lot, but Sullivan was the anchor of one of the worst lines in Fighting Irish history. The hope is that he can eventually replace Matt Birk at center, but he first has to prove he's worthy of a roster spot.
The Grade: D-. We don't get to count Allen's trade in this grade. If so, it would raise the grade to a B-. With only one pick before the fourth round, Minnesota better win soon, because there will be few starters coming out of this year's draft, which will hurt the team over the long run.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-28-2008 @ 1:12AM
jokendaved said...
Thats why you write these pathetic little articles. You can't get a job with a team in selecting the draft like you really think you know what you are talking about. But wait who's team did you help with your wealth of knolleage????????????????????????????? Iam waiting. who?????????????> Thats right NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!dumbass.
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4-28-2008 @ 1:43AM
George said...
NO the fourth pick was not given to the Chiefs for Jarod Allen. A 1st - 2 thirds and a swap of six round places. Get your facts straight or get off the key pad.
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4-28-2008 @ 7:40AM
Janet said...
The Fighting Irish had a bad last season, but Sullivan was the anchor of the team in one of their best seasons the year before. This is a team sport after all, and Sullivan could not make up for almost an entire roster of rookies.
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4-28-2008 @ 9:26AM
leoganz said...
The Vikings got a proven guy in Allen. Adding a pass rush will be huge.
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4-28-2008 @ 12:14PM
Primetime said...
All right...Booty was not drafted to be a starter blockhead...He may be a good fit eventually..Our second rounder is a fast monster on special teams and will compete as a safety starter..YOU TUBE him if you have questions......The center cant help Notre Dame sucked last year but he didnt get rolled over very often so he is a year away...funny...Birks contract is up next year.
Get away from the paint thinner before you write these meaningless articles..D- my butt..
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4-28-2008 @ 12:45PM
Janet said...
You are so right, Primetime!!
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4-28-2008 @ 9:16PM
ralph said...
TIME TO WIN NOW ALLEN GREAT PICK-UP.
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4-28-2008 @ 10:53PM
bob said...
actually the 4th round pick was sent to the eagle last year for kelly horrible holcomb.
Do u get paid to write these articles? becauae i'd love to apply for your job.
how can u not count allen as the draft pick? they traded their picks for a bonafide pro bowler. better than any1 they coulda grabbed with those picks.
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4-29-2008 @ 12:12PM
Peter said...
Wow, there are some dumb commenters making their idiocy known in this thread.
jokendaved: Your profound misuse of punctuation and inaccurate spelling discredits your point, which was poor to begin with. If you can't handle someone giving your team a bad grade so soon after the draft, then stay off the internet.
George: JJ never said the 4th round pick that was traded away was part of the Jared (not "Jarod") Allen deal. Read more carefully.
bob: the 4th round pick was traded to Philly, but not for Holcomb. It was for their 5th rounder this year along with a swap of 2nd round picks, which enabled the Vikings to move up and select earlier, which is when they got Johnson. "Do u get paid to write these articles? becauae i'd love to apply for your job." Ha ha, go ahead. I'm sure JJ is tremblin' in his boots.
I think Johnson is a very strong pick and Booty is some nice insurance, but I agree that JDB won't be pushing for a starting spot anytime soon. I'm grateful, because I think that Jackson has been playing smarter with each game he starts. If he gets a chance, I believe he'll silence many of his critics over the next couple of years.
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4-29-2008 @ 3:20PM
jokendaved said...
Peter who???????? And why should I care what you think? Its true my punctuation is not great. And I do agree with the T-Jack statement. but I do have a right to my opinion. I don't think they did that bad and this guy always has negative things to say and I don't like it. You have no reasonable reason to tell me to stay off the net I mean , Who are you? because it people like you who say what you think and everyone else is below you and shouldn't talk. their are different levels of smarts you may not agree with, but our point is still their. You don't like a team don't watch them and leave them alone. This guy didn't have nothing positive to say about the team and no one is forcing him to make his statements. so like you if you don't like whats being said leave. their are plenty of other teams out there. I am a Viking fan and will stay that way. So pardon the punctuation so BITE ME!!! and move on.
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4-30-2008 @ 11:05AM
Peter said...
jokendaved, you're right. No matter how correct your writing, you have a point. I can respect that.
I wasn't trying to order you off the internet, I was just pointing out that critics are everywhere and if this article upset you, well, there are a lot more out there that will upset you too. That's all.
George and bob were criticizing JJ and getting their facts wrong to make their points. That bothers me; it makes Vikings fans look dumb. I don't know how you got rolled up into my earlier comment, it just sort of happened.
Bottom line: we're both Vikings fans, the team is quite improved, and I see 10 wins and a division title this year. Skol Vikes!
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4-30-2008 @ 1:12PM
philip millls said...
GO VIKES allen great move, a need that we haven't had since doleman, and last two drats, 07 looks like they finally got back to reality. this years fills needs also, but need to sign birk to 3yr deal.
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4-30-2008 @ 4:41PM
jokendaved said...
Peter. I understand that theirs alot of negative about the Vikes on line. I can not respond to them all and it fustrating. So I vent here and let it out.. How lucky is this blog? Anyway, I accept you appollegy as it takes a good man to recgonize when he is wrong or re-think his statment. If you re-read your statment you could see what I took offense to. But now its in the past. I am a die hard fan right down to the tattoo on my arm. I too hope the Vike go 10+ games this season. Sko Vikes!!!! Too those who don't know. "Sko" is a swedish word for "Cheers" if Iam correct.
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