Embrace the Chaos of The NFL Draft
K. Joudry
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The NFL Draft can feel chaotic. Even shrinking things down to just our purple borders, so to speak, can lead to a dizzying array options. Attempting to decipher a coherent trend can often be a fool’s errand.
Just take a peak at some of the draft theories floating around in mock drafts:
- Will Levis at 7
- Anthony Richardson at 23
- Lukas Van Ness at 23
- Will Levis at 2
- Deonte Banks at 23
- Bryan Bresee at 38
- Mazi Smith at 30
- Joey Porter Jr. at 13
- Joey Porter Jr. at 23
- Jordan Addison at 23
- Quentin Johnston at 23
- Zay Flowers at 23
- Hendon Hooker at 23
- Bijan Robinson at 23
- Emmanuel Forbes at 23
We could go on (and on) but you get the point. And, of course, there’s simply no way all of these things can take place. The overwhelming majority of mock drafts are going to be wrong – including whatever predictions have come from your humble author.
Let’s not forget that the mock drafts we’re noting up above are coming from major players in NFL media. We’re talking about The Athletic, ESPN, PFF, CBS, NFL.com, and several other notable spots. Credible analysts are making educated guesses and the overwhelming majority will be very wrong.
The NFL Draft, in short, is wonderfully unpredictable. Fans should embrace that reality and have fun with it.
For a lot of Vikings fans, the team needs to add a high-end receiver. Failing to do so would be offensive malpractice. Justin Jefferson needs more help, especially when we remember Adam Thielen’s subtraction and the likely trade of Dalvin Cook. Many smart people are in this camp.
I’m not among them (possibly indicating I’m the opposite of a smart person).
The team already has K.J. Osborn and there is reason for hope in Jalen Nailor. Add in more receiver competition? Of course, be my guest. A strong WR3 is important in an NFL where 11-personnel is of supreme importance.
More crucial, though, is the defensive backfield (at least in my small football brain). The top four corners on the Vikings’ roster – Byron Murphy, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr., & Joejuan Williams – all missed significant time last season due to injury. Does Minnesota’s leadership really feel confident going into the 2023 season without another high-end addition?
Sports thrive on shock and surprise, mystery and suspense. The moment football becomes completely predictable is the moment it becomes exceedingly dull. Every year, we see new teams find their way to the playoffs as formerly-strong teams drop down. That kind of playoff turnover is vital to the NFL’s appeal, if not a little unnerving for the apparently “fraudulent” Vikings.
Similarly, the NFL Draft always brings surprises. Just a single franchise – the Minnesota Vikings – offer a seemingly endless amount of possibilities. Buckle up, enjoy yourself, and take it in stride.
