Vikings Take DT Christian Ballard With 4th-Round Pick
Posted by on April 30, 2011 – 10:34 amThe Vikings beefed up their defensive line by selecting DT Christian Ballard with their 4th-round pick. This is another great value pick for the Vikings because some had Ballard slotted as a 2nd-round talent.
Ballard played college football at Iowa and stands at 6-4, 283 pounds. His NFL.com scouting report says he “possesses a great frame coupled with quickness and agility.” He might have the versatility to be able to play both DE and DT in the Vikings 4-3 scheme, which is a great quality because he could join the rotation at left DE (if Ray Edwards leaves via free agency) and he could also slide inside to DT should a need arise there (Kevin Williams suspension).
The Vikings now have 6 picks remaning in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Tags: 2011 NFL Draft, Christian Ballard
Posted in All, Mike Wobschall | 31 Comments »
By Cor-WIN VIKES ! on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Keep going dl, cb,ol !!!!!!
By Rick on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Great pick up
By Aceviking on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Great solid pick. This is where you start to get the building blocks for a great team.
By Nate on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
We are struggling on offense not defense grab a o lineman
By Dave Warren on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
very good pick…..can contribute right now!
By Gubber on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Terrific pick. Had Ballard going in two or three. Now if Vikes can pick-up Stephen Schilling from Michigan, and either Deunta Williams from UNC, or DeAndra McDaniels from Clemson in the fifth then they will have covered a lot of the teams shortcomings.
By Nate on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
We are almost dead last on passing offense, the defense can’t always bail us out.
By lawson on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Don’t forget to mention that IOWA had the best college defensive line last year…this pick looks great to me. How about an offensive lineman, and outside linebacker in the fifth round!
By cheffrey on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Former Hawkeye Chad Greenway has been great! Always room for another HAWKEYE on the roster! SKOL VIKINGS!
By DaNorseman on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Great value Vikings! This a turning out to be a fantastic draft. Just about non of this draft has question about ‘oh is this guy even good?’ Im excited about our next 6 PICKS!!!
By Rick on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
If available, get C O’Dowd out of USC and a secondary guy. I think this is a pretty weak draft for S, so I’d say get a CB.
By Nate on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Ballard is too light to play defensive tackle he has to beef up another 20 pounds to stop the run, you cannot stuff the run with a light defensive tackle. He needs to add more weight like pat williams to create a wall full of blubber.
By vikings4life on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Great pick this kid could become a great player he has good fundementals and great speed but yea i agree has to get his weight up and strength many times he is handeled right out of the play. Again we haven’t picked one player that will be a flat out starter NEXT YEAR which is ridiculous and saddens me at this point in the draft.
By Peter on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Nice pick. He can have impact inside and outside. Check out some of his highlights against Wisconsin, one of the best teams in the country last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhgvSsE5tLI
By Jason B on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Definitly a 3rd down guy
By ben on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Rick Spielman needs to be GM of this team, i think he has a great track record for making good decisions
By CRAIG on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
VERY HAPPY WITH THIS PICK, GOOD JOB VIKES!!
By Bob on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Get Marcus Cannon and/or Ahmad Black in the 5th round. Hopefully both.
By DaNorseman on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
He isn’t the best but he has so much room to grow and improve. With DL coach Karl Dunbar, Singletary yelling in the Locker room, Kevin Williams, Jared Allen, Chad Greenway, I think they will get this kid on the right track! One thing tho, I kinda wish the Vikings did K Alex Henery from Nebraska. He will be a stud in the NFL for years to come and we need a steller kicker soon with Longwell not getting any younger
By GreenMezz on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Looks like we found Edwards replacement on the left side of the line! Does have issues with strength and attitute but I think our vets will keep him in line.
By VikesFan4ever on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Love the pick. I hope we can get the LB from Boston College Mark Herzlich. He will be a great pick-up. Not sure what other Safeties and CB’s are left but we need to try and get that corner from Utah if we can.
By Rick on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Brandon Burton is the guy from Utah, and I agree, we should get him with our first pick in the 5th if he’s still there.
By sandiamond on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Corners going at a quick pace here!!! ouch
By sandiamond on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Round 5 up: tops OT Zeimba/Cannon
CB Thomas/Burton
S Lefeged/Black
By VikesFan4ever on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Yes They got Burton from Utah! I’m happy!
By Rick on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
NICE!!!! WQe got Brandon Burton. Great pick!!
By jscamp67 on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
I think they oughta take a look at Tyler Sash for secondary help
By 4eversteve on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
I have agree with a poster the about Ballard needing to hit the weight room and beefing up or he is going to get pushed all over the field, I sure the idea is to line him up on third and long and let him hunt the quarterback but in this league he needs to become more diverse in order to stick with a the team.
By Mike B on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
great pick hit this one on the head. there was a DL 2 OL and aWR rated over 7 and Ballard was the DL great job vikes.
By wacky on May 1, 2011 | Reply
great job,,, picking a guy that failed a drug test before the draft???? every thing the front office said about having good people playing here is bull……. yyyyyy pick ponder and not “mallet”,,,he had of feild stuff too??? maybe rick spielman lost his “pipe” and wanted to use this guys “pipe”????
By Noah on May 1, 2011 | Reply
next pat williams