You Bet! Vikings Select TE Rhett Ellison
Posted by on April 28, 2012 – 11:47 amWith the 33rd selection of the 4th round (#128 overall), the Vikings selected TE Rhett Ellison out of USC. Ellison was a First-Team All-Pac 12 player in 2011 and leaves USC with plenty of playing experience and production to his credit. Ellison’s father, Riki, also played at USC and was an NFL LB with the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders.
Ellison, a teammate of 1st-round selection Matt Kalil at USC, weighs in at 6-5, 251 pounds, and is a versatile threat who is perhaps the team’s best candidate to replace the retired Jim Kleinsasser as a blocking TE/H-back/FB type of player. He redshirted at USC in 2007, but played in 8 games as a freshman, 13 as a sophomore and junior, and 12 as a senior. Ellison was a team captain at USC, has graduated and is now pursuing a Master’s degree.
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock was complimentary about this pick for the Vikings, which is good news. He also said that the when the USC offense was moving down the field in 2011, it at times ran through Ellison. He appeared in and started games as both a FB and TE at USC, and he figures to fulfill a similar role with the Vikings.
Tags: 2012 NFL Draft, Rhett Ellison
Posted in All, Mike Wobschall | 80 Comments »
By Spencer on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Sounds like a solid pick.
By rye on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
looks like a brawler that will make a good ksauce replacement.
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Of course it sounds like a solid pick Spencer. Mike wouldn’t have posted about it if he couldn’t make it look good.
By Shawn on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
I actually kind of like the TE pick better than the WR pick … I dont get the 5’8″ WR BS
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Childs! Finally, a pick that sounds half decent!
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
There is your tall receiver. NO MORE RECEIVERS NOW
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
another team captain in Ellison.
By Spencer on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
During the first 3 games Percys in the slot, Jenkins on the right, and Aromoshadu on the left?
By Titus on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Wow, I think we will sweep the Packers this year.
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Simpson?
By Shawn on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
I like the Childs pick on “potential”
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
did we trade up? I didnt know we had 2 picks in a row
By hognuts on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
2 picks in a row!
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Too early Titus. Packers have made some big upgrades to their defense. Anything can happen, but the games will be tough.
By hognuts on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
trade!
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
What did Detroit give up for that trade?
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Kalil will go against Nick Perry his USC teammate twice a year. I’m sure he knows all his moves. Not sweating there.
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
GDP – We got the Browns’ pick when they moved up for Richardson. We just traded our pick to the Lions now though
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
the browns pick was #118 overall. This isnt that pick
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
We took Jarius Wright with the pick we got from the browns
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Big news – No DL for the Vikings in the 4th round!!!
When was the last time that happened?
By vikesfan5.0 on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
We need to pick up Dale Moss some time now for sure!!
By SEAL on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
did we get picks from detroit for that trade or a player, didn’t see any additional picks on nfl.com draft tracker
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
GDP – Browns picks were 118, 139 and 212
They gave up 3 picks to trade spots in the first
By Lance on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
we trade with the lions what did we get?
By hognuts on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
I can like with a CB
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
My mistake Parody I didnt realize it was the 5th round already. Who were our 2 comp picks
By hognuts on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
*live
By Shawn on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
LOL another ND kid
By Lance on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
sweet a ball hawk
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
6’1″ CB . . . don’t know much about him…
By sandiamond on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Oh my Blanton a beast! looked great at the coimbine
By Spencer on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Robert Blanton? Played CB but everyone is saying hes gonna be a FS
By sandiamond on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Harrison Smith’s hard-hitting battery mate
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
GDP – FB Ellison and WR Childs were comp picks
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
OVERVIEW
Blanton was a reliable, if not flashy, cornerback at Notre Dame. At this point, he could step in as a stopgap but has work to do before he can be a starter in the NFL. Blanton is a heady prospect who plays to his strengths. He understands footwork and technique in man-to-man coverage, but is not athletic enough to run freely with any receiver. He could be a backup as an outside corner or even in the nickel spot, and is worth a third-round pick.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Blanton can work in both man-to-man and zone coverage and provide support against the run. He has copious experience playing the nickel position in the slot and should be able to provide an NFL team with depth at that spot. He can recognize routes and jump on them quickly in zone coverage, and he can use his long arms to recover and make plays on the ball in man coverage. There are small inconsistencies in his technique, but he is able to use his size and length to make plays.
WEAKNESSES Blanton has struggled with his backpedal and his technique at the top of routes, though he is able to recognize when he’s off-line, stick his foot in the ground and redirect himself. He has a tendency to widen his feet and lose ground, which could prove costly at the next level. He also lacks the elite speed he would need to cover top-tier NFL receivers man-to-man.
By vikesfan5.0 on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Mayok said he would be a good FS!
By Lance on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
I like the Blanton pick
finally a ball hawking hard hitting CB 
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Spencer – that sounds good! We need another FS.
By Shawn on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
NFL network saying Blanton will play Safety so our starting TEs and starting Safeties come from Notre Dame
By Mike R. on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Pretty nice pick….
By hognuts on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Wright and Childs were high school teammates as well. What are the chances?
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Parody- wow this is going by too fast.
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Blanton’s another Irishman. That makes 5 on the team now!
By Titus on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Parody, I can dream.
By hognuts on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
2 USC players
2 Notre Dame players
2 Arkansas players
a little chemistry at least
By Lance on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
what did we get in the det trade? we had 2 5ths? we traded the first one?
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Trojan Irish Vikings. Headline of the draft for us
By hognuts on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
By hognuts on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Polian said that Blanton is the perfect fit for us.
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
I think we need 2 LBs yet, and a Kicker. What are we going to pick?
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Titus – Quit bragging!
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Minnesota Trojan Irish Vikings
By Cody C on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Burfict, Audie Cole and Georgia Kicker
By Lance on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
kicker is blair walsh…. but maybe where? one more 6th and 2 7ths
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
FUTURE 4th rounder…interesting…
By sandiamond on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
b u m p ^ linebacker again
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
a 5th and two 7th round picks for a future 4th
By GrandDaddyPurp on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
I dont think we will get Burfict now
By Spencer on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
So I guess that means we have given up on “Sadam” Hussain Abullah.
By Lance on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
2 7ths?
By hognuts on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
New blog!
By PurplHaze on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Welcome, Rhett!
By sandiamond on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
what?
By Parody on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Just one seventh according to that tweet
By Titus on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
I cannot help it.
By Titus on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Well, looks like a while before the next pick.
By Carl K on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
That trade was a little silly. The Vikings must feel comfortable with our linebackers, D line, and guards???
By Erik the Red on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
I think out of those three positions you mentioned Carl K, that guard is… fine… for now, but I think they Vikings need to address DT before the end of the draft.
By Saddy on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
I think the vikings shouldn’t have traded that pick and took zebrie sanders as RT
By OTKalil2012 on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
new blog
By SuperVikes on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
I am proud of the front office moves, percy harvin will get a chance at one on one coverage, a slot and a home run hitter. Good big time back, secondary is looking a little beefyer…I am loving the secondary and o line care takin, i think were gonna be back in contention in the nfc, as we SHOULD BE!!
By David on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
No need ever to draft a kicker Unless he is a stud kickers can be be undrafted free agents or just plain free agents
By DeuceSavage on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
This guy can block a blitzing tank!
By "SHOW YOUR HORNS" on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
good moves that the vikings have made ¡¡¡¡!!!!congrats¡¡¡¡!!!!
By T.allen.govikes on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
nice mention of jimmy k! Great picks! welcome to “the machine” and all new vikes!!!!
By Rogerthevikefan on Apr 28, 2012 | Reply
Can’t wait till he blows Clay Matthews up.
By vikings4seven on Apr 29, 2012 | Reply
NICE PICKUPS FOR VIKES THIS YEAR. We did however lose some ground after the easy picks were made after 3. We should have gone after the ISU corner and Dennard from nebraska. We do not have the same need to replace another TE and Kicker before we get CB talent on this team. Could have really made some huge steps toward getting the secondary sured up. We are going against the best recievers in football in our division.
By SkolVikes98 on Apr 29, 2012 | Reply
@ Spencer…. “Sadam” Hussian Abdallah joke? Not funny man, not funny at all.
By zuehlke on Apr 29, 2012 | Reply
this i feel will be a great fit for us in minnesota from what it sounds rhett is a real stand up guy a great football player he will be valueable on special teams and blocking schemes welcome to minnesota rhett lets get some pancakes