XFAlpha Podcast Notes - NFL Draft - Deep Dive Into NFC North

The NFL Draft happened, and considering the XFL disbanded, this is where we might be making that cheddar for the near future. We are going to break it down division-by-division, and considering I am a Bears fan and Jonah stans for the Vikings, we started with the NFC North. There may not be a deeper dive out there.

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NFL Draft - things that stood out?

NFC North Breakdown

Vikings did great

Justin Jefferson was a good get.

A lot of buzz for Jeff Gladney leading up to things.

Ezra Cleveland fell to them when Trent Williams said he would rather have undiagnosed tumors than play in Minnesota.

Cameron Dantzler - Tall and slow.

Kenny Willekes can play. He’s a guy to really watch out for

Nate Stanley, the master of the quarterback sneak, is a strong-armed version of Kirk Cousins. Inconsistent, not mobile, and instead of not beating good teams, he just falls apart against anyone on the road.

But your undrafted free agents SUCKED.

Lions had a draft

Jeff Okudah is a stud. 

D’Andre Swift doesn’t move the needle for me a ton. I think he’s a slight improvement but probably bigger that he can hopefully stay healthier than Kerryon Johnson.

Julian Okwara is too small to hold up at defensive end and wasn’t all that speical in college.

I like Jonah Jackson as a guard prospect.

Great job getting Hunter Bryant as an undrafted free agent as he’ll make a nice #2 tight end. Not athletic enough to be anything more.

Packers were terrible

I was a huge fan of Jordan Love, but it’s a slap in the face to use a first round pick on quarterback with Rodgers there. This draft got them no closer to a Super Bowl.

AJ Dillon is a battering ram, but he’s not a threat at catching the ball, so it’s quite a price to pay for a short-yardage back.

Josiah Deguara was a huge reach and baffling they didn’t take Adam Trautman.

Jon Runyan has the genetics that Jonah loves.

Undrafted - Marc-Antoine Dequoy, out of Montreal, allegedly ran a 4.36 with a cold.

Bears are questionable

Cole Kmet and Jaylon Johnson were safe picks with limited upside. I’d have been more excited with Chase Claypool or Albert O way later.

Trevis Gipson has some good length and wasn’t used properly at Tulsa, could be a rotational pass rusher.

Watch out for Darnell Mooney out of Tulane, short and fast - 2018 he had nearly 1000 yards on only 48 catches.

Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons

Ledarius Mack - Khalil Mack’s little brother

Ahmad Wagner - 11 pass interference calls on 43 targets. He still needs to grow into tight end but only one year of college football experience after being a bruiser power forward at 6’5” for Iowa.

Jonah States 6-10

How Can the Minnesota Vikings Replace Teddy Bridgewater?

Lukewarm Jonah is taking the reins today since his favorite team lost one of the best young QBs in the league.

Today the likelihood of a Minnesota Vikings championship run took a big hit when Teddy Bridgewater went down with a freak, terrible injury.  I know Joe is no Vikings fan, but he is a Teddy Bridgewater fan.  Though the news today was terrible, the regular season is rapidly approaching.  The Vikings have Shaun Hill healthy and that’s about it.  Second year quarterback Taylor Heinicke looked great last preseason, but is also injured.  It’s clear that the Vikings need to find a quarterback, but the question is who?  I’ve got a few suggestions that aren’t being talked about that I hope the Vikings listen to.

Zach Mettenberger may be their best option, so I’m going to lead this list off with him.  I’m a little confused why no one wants a third year quarterback who played average football on a terrible team during his rookie year.  He played a little below average last year, still on a terrible team.  I watched plenty of his games as a pro and saw plenty of potential.  The fact that this guy got cut is baffling to me.  Anyways, you have a young quarterback with starting experience and some upside.  Maybe the biggest positive to Mettenberger is that he’s a free agent.  He doesn’t cost a draft pick, just a roster spot and a pretty cheap contract.

Next up is a favorite of Joe and myself, Matt Barkley.  He’s the current 3rd string quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals.  He was acquired from the Eagles for a 7th round pick, so giving a 6th rounder for him seems like a price that Arizona would be happy to receive.  This is another guy that I’m confused by the lack of opportunities he’s got.  He went from assumed number one overall pick to fourth rounder who couldn’t find any playing time, even with all the terrible quarterbacks who seem to find constant work.  He’s a guy with a high ceiling, and I’d happily trade a 6th rounder for him.

Let’s look out east for a couple of quarterbacks from the mighty Philadelphia Eagles.  That’s right a couple.  Chase Daniel is the obvious target.  A guy who by all reports was the best quarterback on a couple of teams he’s been on.  Many people wanted to see him play when he was in Kansas City, and if he stays in Philadelphia I would bet a large amount of money he starts at least one game this year due to talent alone.  However, the Eagles have Sam Bradford as their starter and Carson Wentz as their future quarterback so do they really need Daniel?  So who’s the other quarterback on the Eagles I mentioned?  None other than Mcleod Bethel-Thompson.  Who you ask?  Current Eagles fourth string quarterback, likely to be a free agent very soon, Bethel-Thompson had two runs with the Vikings and showed glimpses of greatness, even though it was in the preseason.  He’ll be a free signing that can back up Shaun Hill and potentially come in and spark the offense if Hill struggles.

I can’t finish the article without mentioning my personal hero Nathan Enderle.  6’4” 240 pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal, if he’s signed the Vikings will finally win that ever elusive Super Bowl.  Really though, I wish he actually got a chance in the NFL because he’s got a big arm, he’s accurate, and he’s used to moving around in the pocket and avoiding pressure.  The only good part about him not playing is he would have started for the Bears and led them to way too much success.

Someone else who must be mentioned is Joe’s personal hero, the anti Colin Kaepernick, Mr. America Ricky Stanzi.  He’s available, loves America, and was a successful quarterback at the University of Iowa.  I’ll have to defer to Joe for any real insight into Ricky Stanzi (Joe's insight: He seems like a really good dude. That probably doesn't make him a great option at QB, but I'd definitely let him watch my dog), but he can play on the Vikings as long as he comes out to Real American.