PurplePTSD: Tyler Linderbaum At 12 Would Be Controversial

Press release from the PurplePTSD:

K. Joudry

2022-03-09

Let me begin by acknowledging that I’m far from a draft expert. My knowledge is constrained to the highlights I see alongside the various articles/reports I read about draft prospects. Be that as it may, I do have my opinions, one of which being that the Vikings opting for center Tyler Linderbaum would be controversial.

Now, there’s a clear need along the interior of the offensive line. Garrett Bradbury is a bust, and there’s no way he ought to be the starter moving forward. Ideally, the team will be able to save a few bucks by trading him for a late-rounder.

It’s that Bradbury history, though, that makes Linderbaum so controversial. The Bradbury bust is still fresh, so fans will be a little wary about sinking an even higher pick into another undersized, athletic center. Don’t forget that the belief was that Bradbury was not only fleet of foot but also really strong. He’s only 300 pounds, but he did put up an impressive 34 reps on the bench press. Three NFL seasons, though, shows that he regularly struggles to anchor.

At 6’3, 290, Tyler Linderbaum will remind people of the Vikings’ current center. Take a peak at what The Draft Network has to say about their #11 overall prospect:

I, for one, am far more enthused about investing in positions that are more important. Give me a corner or edge rusher instead of an iOL prospect. Plus, there are some strong free agent options at center, so it’s not like the Vikings have no other recourse than to snag this year’s top center prospect.

That being said, I’ll end things with a note in Linderbaum’s favor. A couple years ago, many Vikings fans expressed disappointment in the Justin Jefferson selection. Why was this the case? Well, it wasn’t that long ago that the team sunk a first-round selection into Laquon Treadwell. Obviously, the Vikings were wise to snag Jefferson. The lesson here is that each player is his own person. Past failure at a certain position doesn’t mean the next player chosen at that position will be a bust.

A recent mock draft right here on Purple PTSD featured the Vikings selecting Tyler Linderbaum at 12. If there is a run on corners and/or edge rushers, perhaps the Vikings will find themselves with a new center.

This press release was produced by the PurplePTSD. The views expressed here are the author’s own.