Sam Monson From PFF On The Vikings’ Draft

Join host Tyler Forness in ‘The Real Forno Show’ as he and guest Sam Monson from Pro Football Focus delve into the Minnesota Vikings’ strategy and selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. Gain expert insights into the seven players chosen, their potential impact, and the team’s decision-making process behind the move for QB J.J. McCarthy and EDGE Dallas Turner. SKOL!

In this episode of The Real Forno Show, host Tyler Forness engaged in a deep conversation with Sam Monson, the lead NFL analyst for Pro Football Focus, on the Minnesota Vikings’ recent NFL draft moves. The comprehensive analysis provided by Monson offered valuable insights into the Vikings’ decision-making process and the potential implications for the team.

The Vikings Draft: A Strategic Approach

Monson started off the conversation by highlighting the Vikings’ strategic approach to selecting rookie quarterbacks. He emphasized that the team’s understanding of the market dynamics and its ability to stay disciplined played a significant role in their decision-making process.

“The Vikings were one of the best landing spots for any of the rookie quarterbacks,” Monson said. He further pointed out how the Vikings’ choices were not only based on player rankings but also on their understanding of the market and their ability to make strategic decisions.

J. J. McCarthy’s Acquisition: A Calculated Risk

A significant part of the conversation revolved around the Vikings’ acquisition of J. J. McCarthy. While there have been concerns about McCarthy’s limited experience in carrying an offense due to his tenure with a strong Michigan team, Monson highlighted McCarthy’s performance when called upon.

“He had a really good PFF grade. The numbers are excellent. It’s just that they could go the Penn State game and hand the ball off 38 straight times or whatever,” Monson explained. Despite McCarthy’s limited experience, the Vikings saw potential in him and were willing to take a calculated risk.

Monson further pointed out how the Vikings made a smart move by not giving up too much to secure McCarthy. He commended the team’s decision of being patient and waiting for the right opportunity to make their move.

The Dallas Turner Trade: A Bold Move

The episode also delved into the controversial Dallas Turner trade. While some have criticized the Vikings for giving up significant capital for Turner, Monson suggested that the move could still be a smart one considering Turner’s skills and potential fit with the Vikings.

“Dallas Turner is a very good football player already and a good prospect, and he’s been very productive,” Monson said while discussing Turner’s talents and his fit in the Vikings’ defense.

Monson highlighted the Vikings’ aggressive move to acquire Dallas Turner. He said, “They’re looking at this and saying…Dallas Turner is worth being this aggressive for.” He noted the Vikings’ shift in strategy, focusing more on the value of individual players than on the overall value of the draft pick. This was particularly evident in the case of Dallas Turner, who was picked at 17, despite being viewed as the consensus ninth-overall player.

The Vikings’ Approach to Late Rounds

Monson also critiqued the Vikings’ strategy in the late rounds of the draft. He suggested that instead of choosing kickers, which he viewed as a “low upside play,” teams should prioritize players with potential for growth and development.

“Guys that were absolutely dominant at that level of competition, that have the traits and apparently are great characters as well, great kids. Get somebody like that and see if he can handle that kind of jump up in competition,” Monson recommended.

A Closer Look at the Vikings’ Undrafted Free Agent Class

Turning his attention to the Vikings’ undrafted free agent class, Monson was particularly struck by Gabriel Murphy, the UCLA Edge. Murphy went undrafted, which surprised Monson given his impressive performance and athletic ability.

“I couldn’t believe that he went undrafted, even with the short arms… He’s extremely twitchy. He’s a great athlete,” Monson remarked. He suggested that the Vikings could use Murphy in a versatile way to mitigate the issue of his short arm length, including the potential for him to be used more as a three-technique on passing downs.

Looking Ahead: Future Drafts and Prospects

As the conversation concluded, Monson suggested that the Vikings’ draft strategy will continue to be a topic of interest for fans and analysts alike. Despite the significant capital given up for Turner, Monson acknowledged that the Vikings’ moves were complex and multifaceted.

“It’s educated guesswork, though, at the point where the draft is actually going on, right?” Monson said, indicating that the Vikings’ decision-making process is based on a blend of analysis, intuition, strategic planning, and in the first round, what he called a “confidence quotient.”

The Changing Landscape of College Football

The episode concluded with a discussion on the changing landscape of college football and how it might affect future drafts. Monson pointed out that due to factors such as COVID-19 and the introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), the nature of player profiles coming into the draft is changing.

He noted, “You didn’t need to get very far into this draft before you started finding a bunch of profiles that would normally be really concerning… but actually, I think it’s just kind of becoming the normal landscape.”

Monson’s insights provide a comprehensive analysis of the Vikings’ draft strategy, their selection of players, and how the changing football landscape might affect future drafts, making it a must-listen for any Vikings fan.

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With Monson’s in-depth insights shedding light on the Vikings’ recent drafts, fans of The Real Forno Show were left with a deeper understanding of the team’s strategy and its potential impact on future seasons. The episode not only provided a comprehensive analysis of the team’s recent moves but also set the stage for intriguing discussions on future prospects and draft strategies.

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Our guest Sam Monson @PFF_Sam from Pro Football Focus, @PFF, Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and The Sporting News @sportingnews and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, on the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and Fans First Sports Network’s NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.