German_Force » A commitment to running the ball manifests itself

in a variety of ways. One key aspect of the run-pass mix comes on third and short.When the distance to earn a first down is relatively small (for these purposes Big And Tall Cameron Smith Jersey , five yards or less), the offense can run or it can pass. The possibility that it will be either a run or a pass keeps the defense on its toes. But when an offense has opted to pass on the vast majority of third-and-short plays, a defense will be more inclined to defend against the pass — and better equipped to shut down the drive.For the Vikings, their run-pass ratio on third and short has been out of whack.Based on the official NFL game book for the 13 games played by the Vikings in 2018, the Vikings have run the ball on third and five, or shorter, only 13 of 80 times. On the other 67 occasions, the Vikings either threw the ball (59 times), took a sack (eight times), or the quarterback scrambled (once).Against the Seahawks, the Vikings ran three times on third and short, passing four times. That was by far the highest run ratio on third and short this year.In the first four games of the season, which produced a 1-2-1 record, the Vikings threw the ball 27 times on third and short, and they ran the ball only once.The Vikings may have spotted the trend during the bye week. Before the two-week break between games, they ran five times on third and short and passed 48 times (9.4 percent runs). Since then, the ratio has become eight runs and 19 passes (29.6 percent runs).Over the final three games of the regular season, it will be very interesting to see whether the Vikings opt to run or pass on third and short. In order to maximize the success rate, and to extend drives as long as possible, the ultimate goal will be to convert as many of those opportunities as possible.Which means that interim offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski likely will need to dial up a run in those spots far more frequently than former offensive coordinator John DeFilippo did. The 2018 NFL season officially ended with the Super Bowl — and the 2019 offseason began. And that means, of course, time to start really thinking about the draft.Yes, the NFL draft (April 25-27) is still a couple of months away, and we have to endure the combine and pro days, but the collegiate all-star games such as the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game are behind us, meaning scouts — and draftniks — have even more info on some of this year’s draft-eligible players.More Vikings coveragePhotos of the Week: 7/21/19 – 7/27/19Rookie Bradbury is central figure to Vikings’ overhauled offensive lineVikings depth at cornerback being tested, Hughes still not clearedPlayers to watch at Minnesota Vikings 2019 training campTop Tweets: Vikings WR Diggs makes push for All-NFL Style TeamAnd before the draft we’ll have free agency, not to mention players being cut to give teams some salary-cap room, so needs will change. But, this feels like a good time to start our recap of mock drafts for the Minnesota Vikings.Since we want the latest information, for this purpose, we used only mocks which came out in the past few days after the Super Bowl. We’ll continue to provide mock draft roundup updates sporadically leading up to the draft.There’s no unanimous choice on which direction the Vikings might go in the first round (note: some mocks do go beyond one round and Minnesota does not have a pick in either the fifth or seventh round; also compensatory picks have yet to be added), but as you might have guessed an offensive lineman sure seems like a popular choice — although which one is up for debate Cameron Smith Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , as you’ll see.Here’s the first roundup of mock drafts from around the web:Chad Reuter of NFL.com (3 rounds): Round 1 — Ed Oliver, DT, Houston; Round 2 — David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin; Round 3 — Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida.Dane Brugler of The Athletic ($; 2 rounds): Round 1 — Greedy Williams, CB, LSU. “Many believe this pick is offensive line or bust, but the Vikings will let the board fall to them. With Trae Waynes entering the final year of his contract, Williams would give the Vikings immediate cornerback depth and a long-term plan at the position.”; Round 2 — Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State.Will Brinson of CBSSports.com: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson. “This is the furthest I’ve had Lawrence falling so far and it’s not a stock up/stock down situation, it’s just more about having a fluid list of guys in a very fluid draft. It’s more fun to give the Vikings a corner and watch Vikings fans freak out but I think Lawrence could make some sense here with Sheldon Richardson a free agent.”Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today: Round 1 — Jeffrey Simmons, DT, Mississippi State. “Sheldon Richardson and backup Tom Johnson are set to hit the open market, which could leave Minnesota with a hole in the middle. According to NFL Network, Simmons has not been invited to the NFL scouting combine due to an incident in which he hit a woman while in high school, for which he later pleaded no contest to simple assault and was found guilty of malicious mischief. But few defensive players can match his overall proclivity for disrupting plays in the backfield.”Lance Zierlein of NFL.com: Cody Ford, OG, Oklahoma.Todd McShay of ESPN Plus ($): Montez Sweat, DE/OLB, Mississippi State. “With the top three offensive linemen off the board — reaching for Ole Miss’ Greg Little is a possibility but doubtful — Minnesota turns to defensive end here and grabs Sweat. Even though the Vikings have Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen (who is 31) off the edge, you can never have enough pass-rushers. Sweat impressed at the Senior Bowl and has some great takeoff quickness.”Ryan Wilson of CBSSports.com: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State. “Risner had a fantastic week at the Senior Bowl and while he’s destined to kick inside in the NFL — perhaps even to center — he’s shown throughout his college career that he’s a very good tackle too. Either way, the Vikings have to do a better job of protecting Kirk Cousins and Risner checks all the boxes.”Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News: Greg Little, OT, Mississippi. “The Vikings suffered from shaky pass protection in 2018, which is part of the reason Kirk Cousins’ first season as their starting quarterback ending with a thud. Little (6-5, 325 pounds) has the agility and athleticism to lock down the blind side for now full-time offensive coordinator Kevin Stepfanski.”Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus: Cody Ford Minnesota Vikings Jerseys Stitched , OL, Oklahoma.Dan Kadar of SB Nation (2 rounds): Round 1 — Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State; Round 2 — Gerald Willis, DT, Miami.Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (7 rounds): Round 1 — Devin Bush, LB, Michigan. “An offensive lineman might be the biggest need for the Minnesota Vikings, but with Devin Bush on the board and Anthony Barr set to become a free agent, it makes sense to load up on a rangy, athletic linebacker when available. … Paired with his excellent athleticism and instincts, Bush has all the tools to be an impressive rookie starter as a three-down impact player.”; Round 2 — Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame; Round 3 — Bobby Evans, OT, Oklahoma; Round 4 — Dexter Williams, RB, Notre Dame; Round 6 — Jonathan Ledbetter, DL, Georgia.Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com: Jeffrey Simmons, DT, Mississippi State. “After giving the league’s richest contract to quarterback Kirk Cousins, you can bet folks in Minnesota are unhappy sitting out of the playoffs. That could lead to all kinds of changes, including on defense where Anthony Barr and Sheldon Richardson (among others) will be looking for big paydays. Simmons plays with the intensity and physicality Zimmer loves.”Walter Cherepinsky of WalterFootball.com (5 rounds): Round 1 — Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama; Round 2 — Germaine Pratt, LB, NC State; Round 3 — Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson; Round 4 — Sean Bunting, CB, Central Michigan.DraftTek (7 rounds): Round 1 — Christian Wilkins, DL Cameron Smith Jersey nfl draft , Clemson; Round 2 — Darryl Williams, OG, Mississippi State; Round 3 — Devin Singletary, RB, Florida Atlantic; Round 4 — Chase Hansen, OLB, Utah; Round 6 — Jakobi Meyers, WR, NC State.Luke Easterling of The Draft Wire (4 rounds): Round 1a — Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State; Round 2 — Dre;Mont Jones, OL, Ohio State; Round 3 — Kendall Joseph, LB, Clemson; Round 4 — Connor McGovern, OL, Penn State.Vikings free agency primer, 2019Chris Trapasso of CBSSports.com: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State. “Awesome match here. The Vikings have an $84 million investment to protect in Kirk Cousins and Risner can start and play well at any of the five offensive line spots.”Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst (2 rounds): Round 1 — Greg Little, OL, Mississippi. “The Vikings have several needs on the offensive line, and Little is versatile enough to be used at several spots.”; Round 2 — Zach Allen, DL, Boston College.Justin Rogers of the Detroit News: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma.Matt Lombardo of NJ Advance Media: Greg Little, OT, Mississippi.Joe Marino of The Draft Network: Garrett Bradbury, OL, NC State.Nick Klopsis of Newsday: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma.Bucky Brooks of NFL.com: Andre Dillard From China Cameron Smith Jersey , OT, Washington State.Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com: Jonah Williams, OG, Alabama.Jonathan Cook of The Huddle Report: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida.Eddie Brown of the San Diego Union-Tribune (2 rounds): Round 1 — David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin; Round 2 — Oshane Ximines ,OLB, Old Dominion.Thor Nystrom of Rotoworld: Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama.John McClain and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle: McClain — Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State; Wilson — Byron Murphy, CB, Washington.Sean Wagner-McGough of CBSSports.com: Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma.Zack Rosenblatt of NJ Advance Media: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State.Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com (3 rounds): Round 1 — Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama; Round 2 — Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame; Round 3 — Justice Hill, RB, Oklahoma State.Kyle Meinke of mlive.com: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma.Final tally: 17 different players were predicted, with six receiving multiple mentions. Ford led the way with six followed by Risner (5) and Jonah Williams (4). Little had three while Dillard and Simmons had two each.<em>Dave Heller</em><em> is the author of Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth’s Shadow (a Larry Ritter Book Award nominee), Facing Ted Williams – Players From the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns</em>