Vikings Picks...#17, #48, #51, #64,#127,#149

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Selections

#17

Chad Greenway LB Iowa



Position: OLB
Class: Sr
School: Iowa
Conference: Big Ten
Ht., Wt.: 6-2.5, 242
40 Time: 4.8

Grading System

BIO: Three-year starter awarded All-Conferences honors every season since his sophomore campaign. Senior totals included 156/10/1 with one interception and eight defenses. Junior numbers included 113/8/3, when he also intercepted three passes.

POSITIVES: Consistent, playmaking linebacker with outstanding instincts. Quick diagnosing plays, immediately locates the ball and consistently positions himself to make the play. Gets adequate depth on drops, solid in zone coverage and stays with assignments. Can run with tight ends or backs in coverage. Solid special teams player who has blocked kicks in the past.

NEGATIVES: Lacks an explosive break to the pass. Does not display great speed to the flanks moving laterally.

ANALYSIS: A high-character prospect with great work ethic, Greenway is a well-rounded linebacker with a complete game. Not flashy yet a three-down defender who could quickly move into a starting lineup at the next level.

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#48

Cedric Griffin DB Texas



Position: CB
Class: Sr
School: Texas
Conference: Big Twelve
Ht., Wt.: 6-0, 199
40 Time: 4.57
Selected by: Minnesota Vikings
Round 2, pick 16 (48 overall)
Grading System

BIO: Four-year starter used at both corner and safety. All-Conference selection as a senior after 86 tackles and 15 pass defenses. Junior numbers included 68/2/6. Outstanding special-teams player throughout college.

POSITIVES: Physical cornerback with good upside potential. Jams opponents at the line, fluid turning his hips and easily runs downfield with receivers. Quickly breaks to the throw, has a burst of closing speed as well as a hard-hitting style. Active in run defense, attacks ball carriers and shakes the ball loose with jarring hits.

NEGATIVES: Mentally hesitant, slow locating the ball and gives up receptions when he should not. Struggles making plays with his back to the ball.

ANALYSIS: A terrific athlete with good upside, Griffin could start at the next level in the proper system. Best in a zone system or press coverage.

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#51 (from Dolphins)

Ryan Cook C New Mexico

Position: C
Class: 5Sr
School: New Mexico
Conference: Mountain West
Ht., Wt.: 6-6.5, 328
40 Time: 5.48

Grading System

BIO: Former walk-on awarded All-Conference honors every season since moving into the starting lineup as a sophomore.

POSITIVES: King-sized center with potential at strong-side tackle. Nasty and always looking to hit someone. Strong at the point, and easily anchors in pass protection. Effective with the shotgun snap. Plays with good lean and keeps his feet moving throughout the action. Heads-up blocker and effectively quarterbacks the offensive line.

NEGATIVES: Struggles in space, not effective in motion, and a big, lumbering lineman not light on his feet. Lacks quickness off the snap into blocks.

ANALYSIS: A solid-sized lineman with growth potential, Cook has made definite strides the past three seasons. Working hard in the weight room, Cook.s ability to be used at several positions makes him attractive in the late rounds.

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Vikings trade picks #83 and #95 to get Steelers #64

Tarvaris Jackson QB Alabama State

Position: QB
Class: Sr
School: Alabama State
Conference: Southwestern Athletic
Ht., Wt.: 6-2, 226
40 Time: 4.69
Selected by: Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 2, pick 32 (64 overall)
Grading System

BIO: Second-team All-Conference selection who totaled 60.9%/2,941/29/5 as a senior.

POSITIVES: Athletic passer who took his game to another level last year. Displays improved field sense, has a strong arm and drives the ball into targets. Puts air under corner patterns and lets receivers run to the ball. Does not force passes into coverage and displays toughness running with the ball. Escapes the rush and loses nothing throwing on the move.

NEGATIVES: Erratic with his accuracy and usually high off the mark or behind receivers. Shaky under pressure, rarely sets his feet and takes off out of the pocket too quickly.

ANALYSIS: A developmental prospect who could be stashed on a practice squad, Jackson still needs a season or two to complete his game.

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Trade Picks #115 and #185 to Philly for Pick #127 and OG Artis Hicks (sp?)


#127

DE Edward Ray Purdue

Height: 6-5
Weight: 279
40 Speed: 4.80 E
Position: Defensive End
College: Purdue
Final Grade: E 5.5

GM JR Scouting LLC Grading Scale/Key

SUMMARY

Edwards was a disappointing player to grade because he never developed into the player he was expected to become at Purdue and left college after his junior season. He definitely looks the part on the "Hoof" and has all the physical tools to be a good starting defensive end in the NFL if he could play with a high level of competitiveness and intensity on every snap. He has the long arms and quick hands to defeat blockers easily when he plays aggressively and has an explosive closing burst to finish plays once he gets close to the ball/quarterback. The trouble is that Edwards does not compete with any real sense of urgency and that is what caused him to get benched for the second half of his senior season at Purdue. Rarely do players who do not play hard in college all of a sudden begin playing hard in the NFL. Edwards may not be drafted, however, due to his natural talent, he could be a free agent because if the light ever goes on, he could become a very good starting defensive end in the NFL. In the end, despite his ability, Edwards may never take advantage of it to become the player he is capable of being.



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#149

S Greg Blue Georgia

Position: S
Class: Sr
School: Georgia
Conference: Southeastern
Ht., Wt.: 6-2, 216
40 Time: 4.66
Selected by: Minnesota Vikings
Round 5, pick 16 (149 overall)
Grading System

BIO: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference and All-American honors last season after career-best numbers of 88/2/5. Posted 80 tackles as a junior.

POSITIVES: Explosive run-defending safety who is best between the hashes. Breaks down well, is fast in all directions and flashes on the scene. Strong at the point, goes for the knockout blow and wraps up tackling. Fine athlete who makes a lot of difficult plays.

NEGATIVES: Marginal ball skills, not instinctive in coverage and late picking up assignments. Takes incorrect angles to the action. Performed poorly in the post-season and falling down draft boards.

ANALYSIS: An intimidating force, Blue is a physical defender with solid size/speed numbers. Needs to improve the details of his game before he will ever be a consistent starter.