Image courtesy of Vikings.com
In what could just be one of many rumors to come out of Winter Park before the start of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Vikings are apparently interested in drafting former Alabama running back Derrick Henry. The info comes from Eric Galko of OptimumScouting.com and he says Minnesota potentially feels that Henry could be their guy if he ends up still being available when the Vikings are on the clock with the 23rd overall pick.
The 6’3″, 242 pound Henry rushed for a total of 2,219 yards and scored 28 touchdowns for Alabama in 2015. These totals eventually lead to Henry being awarded with this season’s Heisman Trophy.
He has been projected by draft scouts to be selected as a late first or early second round pick. However, Henry was not included in the latest first round mock drafts compiled by USA Today, Draft Season, Draft Tek, or Bleacher Report.
While the selection of Henry by Minnesota would not be a horrible choice, it would come with a bit of surprise. Given that the Vikings are also the same team that the 2015 NFL rushing champion calls home.
If Henry were to be drafted by Minnesota, Adrian Peterson’s days as the Vikings’s running back could be coming to an end sooner than later. However, it could create a unique opportunity for Henry to come in as a rookie and learn from Peterson if both running backs end up becoming teammates next season.
With Peterson and Jerick McKinnon currently under contract for next season, Minnesota is not in dire need to draft a running back with one of their early round selections. It may be a better option for the Vikings to wait another year and use one of their draft picks in 2017 to find a replacement for Peterson.
Will Minnesota and general manager Rick Spielman make the splashy move and snag Henry if he is still on the board when it is their turn to draft? Now remember, this is the same guy who traded back into the first round in 2013 to select Cordarrelle Patterson so anything is possible.
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I have been saying for weeks that RB is firmly in play at #23.I prefer Elliott to Henry but would be happy with either one.To have that guy work and learn with Adrian is a great plan.
Many people want an O Linemen with the first pick,but i just don't see the value being available at this point, and also think we will chase an OL in free agency.
There will def be talent avaliable for OL at 23. This draft is very deep for OL. I'm very opposed to taking an early RB, the past 10 years have shown RBs can be found in the late rounds easier than any other position.
I especially dislike Eddie "Cheeseburger" Lacy 2.0, I mean Henry.
Henry is very different than Eddie Lazy..... he is taller, faster, leaner, with a good attitude. I would totally be fine with him at 23. I think the quality of a o lineman at 23 will be comparable to a o lineman at 23rd pick in the 2nd. Who knows what our line will look like next year. Sully could come back in great shape, Berger will move to guard, loadholt could return or Clemmings could bulk up and become the star we all hope. Who knows what will happen.
When Lacy was drafted he was leaner and faster as well. Hes also pretty tall for a RB. But hey Alabama running backs have worked out pretty well lately, just ask New Orleans, i mean Cleveland, I mean Green Bay, I mean....
Henry is a beast.
Alabamas OL is the beast. I could be a top 10 college running back behind them!
I like Henry but I wouldn't take him until the third or fourth round. A lot of Alabama running backs enter the draft with a lot of hype and don't exactly live up to it. Trent Richardson was a disaster. Mark Ingram and Eddie Lacy have both been relatively effective, but haven't lived up to their pre-draft hype.
It could be fun to watch a Henry-McKinnon duo but I wouldn't trust Henry to replace Peterson on his own. Taking him in the first round or trading picks to move up in the second would be a reach in my opinion.
It's obviously too early to make a decision right now, though. Those are my thoughts as of now but he could show up at the combine and run a 4.3 40, making him a surefire top 20 pick. He could also show up 20 lbs overweight and run a 4.9, potentially dropping him to the later rounds of the draft
I think 3rd or 4th is a little extreme, but I could see him being a late 2nd like Lacy was depending on how he tests. These Bama backs are getting near the Steve Spurrier QB level with how Lacy bottomed out this year. I do think the lack of success from those last three guys is going to cause a mini drop for him, but you're right on that its to early to tell.
I meant 2nd or 3rd. I have no idea why I typed 3rd or 4th
Yah right! The Vikings don't need Henry, they need a Big WR, OL and maybe a SS and LB. If they get a coveted WR and O lineman in free agency, I'd look for them to trade down and acquire draft picks.
Hate this idea . Drafting henry at 23 would be such a reach and doesn't adress any of the actual problems we should be worrying about . Plus a move like that could be taken the wrong way and stir up problem . I agree with the other guy that said at least wait one more year . Maybe we can get lucky and go from adrian peterson to L. Fournette and Jet McKinnon
I agree..Do not like it all....Could AP run when there was no line...No...Firm the line..Get a WR...Then worry about RBs...Of course if we flip AP for a 2nd rounder, then get a stud RB in the 2nd or 3rd round. How much of Henry`s production was because he had a great line? A decent amount.
In Spielman I trust.
His highlight reel it appears his line is giving him huge holes. Can he pass protect, and how does he measure up in short yardage situations?
As stated above I trust Spielman. That said I too would be surprised if this was our pick. If it means trading AD then I can get behind it more.
If they don't love any OL at 23, then Doctson (WR) or another toy for Zimmer defense. Lb or ss.
I don't see this happening at 23. He's really tall, runs up right, and does not look like he can run well out of the pistol or shotgun. If we are going to look for a back of the future to pair up with Jet, then it has to be someone who can run out of shotgun/pistol snaps.
If a running back is drafted by Vikes draft Devonte Booker out of Utah. I watched him ball growing up he is a natural. Him learning from AD would be nice n by nxt season he'll be ready to carry the torch with McKinnon backing him up