The Minnesota Vikings made another splash in the first-round of the NFL Draft. For the third straight year, the Vikings came out of the first-round with multiple picks.
They traded down one spot early in the draft with Cleveland to take UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr with the ninth pick.
After passing on Johnny Manziel, then deciding against trading back up to acquire him, the Vikings traded up with Seattle at 32 to take Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Barr is a 6-foot-5, 255-pound play-making outside linebacker.
He recorded 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks last season at UCLA. In 2012, he had 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.
Barr is regarded as an exceptional athlete. He was recruited to UCLA as a running back, and in two seasons went from never having played linebacker to becoming one of the nation’s best at the position.
According to 1500 ESPN, Barr ran a 4.44 40-yard dash, but also posted a linebacker-low 15 reps on the bench at 225 pounds.
Spielman: “After Clowney, we felt that [Barr] could be the next best edge pass rusher in this draft” #Vikings
— Aj Mansour (@AjKFAN) May 9, 2014
Barr could step in and be a starter on the outside for the Vikings. He recorded 149 tackles in two seasons at UCLA.
Most experts believe Bridgewater’s struggles at his pro day caused his drop from near the top of the draft to the end of the first round.
But he was outstanding in two seasons at Louisville. Bridgewater completed 478 of 715 passes for 5,847 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Spielman says #Vikings did analytical study that showed Bridgewater was best of QBs vs. blitz. "He's very cool and calm under pressure."
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 9, 2014
When the Vikings selected Barr, they passed on Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel twice, once at No. 8 before trading the pick to Cleveland and again at No. 9 when they selected Barr.
Anthony Barr is a fine pick at No. 9. Makes sense in revamped D. Personal opinion: #Vikings will regret passing on Johnny Manziel.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 9, 2014
This must mean that Manziel interest isn't nearly as high around NFL as it is for fans. Vikings would have gone back again if it was higher.
— Judd Zulgad (@jzulgad) May 9, 2014
The draft opened with Houston selecting South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney with the first-pick.
- Houston – Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
- St. Louis – Greg Robinson OT Auburn
- Jacksonville – Blake Bortles QB Central Florida
- Buffalo – Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
- Oakland – Khalil Mack LB Buffalo
- Atlanta – Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M
- Tampa Bay – Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
- Cleveland – Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma State
With Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder at quarterback, many experts thought the Vikings would draft a QB early in the draft, and with Manziel available and the Vikings on the clock, there was a lot of excitement for the pick.
Vikings fans were less than impressed with the selection of Barr.
The booing at the Vikings' draft party is about to hit … oh … about 150 decibels … #BarrNone
— Kevin Cusick (@theloopnow) May 9, 2014
If Manziel turns into a star, Spielman won't be able to live that down anymore than had he picked a first-round bust QB.
— Brian Hall (@MNBrianHall) May 9, 2014
Manziel was finally selected 22nd overall by Cleveland, who beat out Minnesota to trade up with Philadelphia.
The Vikings did pick up a fifth-round draft pick (145th overall), by trading with Cleveland. But they traded their second- and- fourth-round picks to Seattle to move back into the first round for Bridgewater.
Spielman said that after his Pro Day, he had to go back and work him out again. They went to Florida were impressed.
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) May 9, 2014
