10 Draft Prospects Who Could Improve The Vikings 17th Ranked Run Defense
A stout run defense rarely garners the splashy headlines in today’s pass-heavy NFL schemes. Mike Zimmer however, is a head coach who prides himself on being able to control the clock with a power running attack and a dominant defense. Under Zimmer, the run defense hasn’t received the press attention as some of the other phases of the game, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s any less of a focal point for him.
In Leslie Frazier’s final season in 2013, the Vikings finished ranked 11th against the run giving up 105.8 yards per game. The following year, Zimmer’s first as a head coach, the Vikings fell all the way back to 25th allowing 121.4 rushing yards per game. The Vikings took a step forward last season by only allowing 109.2 rushing yards per game, good for 17th in the league.
The signing of safety Michael Griffen, who is aggressive in run support, should help improve the Vikings defense. DT Linval Joseph missed four games down the stretch with a toe injury and DT Shamar Stephens was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury hurting the Vikings ability to plug the middle. Joseph will turn 28 in October, and Tom Johnson who has been effective in a rotational role, will be 32 in August. At some point, their age and ability to stay healthy could become a question mark. A deep draft pool of defensive linemen may have the Vikings looking at a few of these talented big run stuffers.
LB Chad Greenway will retire after this season, so, finding his replacement in the base defense could also be on the Vikings radar. The nickel package gets most of the attention, but improving the run defense in the base 4-3 should also command some draft priority.
In Zimmer’s final year in Cincinnati, the Bengals were ranked top-five against the run giving up only 96.5 yards per game. If Zimmer is driven to improve the Vikings below average run defense, he may look to the NFL draft for help. Here are ten hard-hitting prospects that could offer immediate run support for the base unit.
Reggie Ragland, ILB Alabama
Zimmer has talked about his willingness to move Eric Kendricks to weak side linebacker, but to do that the Vikings will need to find a very special talent in the middle. Ragland might be that guy. He could play the middle in the base unit as a two down thumper and Kendricks would slide over to the “Mike” position in nickel coverage.
Ragland was voted the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. His pursuit ability and run-stopping prowess would make him a welcomed addition to the Vikings base defense. He has top-level instincts and is a great tackler who can deliver punishing hits. Ragland is an aggressive and polished tackling machine who knows how to stack and shed. He could represent the best available player regardless if OT Jack Conklin or WR Josh Doctson is still on the board.
Jarran Reed, DT Alabama
Reed is a violent run defender who consistently wins off the snap with a strong upper body and a flexible lower half. He has strong hands that can stifle blockers at the point of attack. Reed moves well laterally and is a relentless finisher. He is a smart defender who can read and react well to the flow of the play. Reed is a well-developed NFL-ready right now prospect. He has tree trunks for legs and was virtually immovable at the Senior Bowl. He is not a quick-twitch or flashy pass-rusher, so, if he fall to the Vikings for that reason, they will get great value from this top-fifteen talent. Zimmer loves to rotate his defensive front and Reed would be a very nice fit.
Kenny Clark, DT UCLA
The Vikings already have Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Jeff Locke, Mike Harris and Kevin McDermott as former UCLA players on the roster, so, maybe Rick Spielman decides trading back from 23 a few spots and targeting Clark makes sense. Clark is solid from head to toe with a lot of muscle and minimal bad weight. He consistently wins the leverage battle with great knee bend and heavy hands. Clark moves well in space and can pursue down the line effectively for a big man. He is a very productive and active defender who shows the ability to beat blockers in a variety of ways. Clark is quick to diagnose using great instinct and football IQ. He has a great feel for trap blocks and double teams with the strength to be a plug and play 4-3 nose tackle.
Veron Butler, DT Louisiana Tech
Rumor has it that the Vikings have some interest in “Big Vern”. Boasting a mammoth frame at 6’3 325 pounds, Butler is an elite interior power presence who has very good open-field speed for a player his size. He plays with a sense of urgency and intensity that can wear down blockers. Butler has great technique to go with his strong hands and solid base. Overwhelming hitter who finishes with force. Butler would be a prized selection if he falls to the Vikings in the second-round.
Joshua Perry, ILB Ohio State
Perry at pick 54 might have the most probability out this list to actually happen for the Vikings. Perry has good tools that project well to the NFL. He is a solid player who plays smart with great football discipline. He doesn’t make a lot of spectacular plays, but he does makes the plays he is supposed to and will alway sticks to his responsibility. He uses his hands and arm well to stack and shed and maintains good leverage fighting through blocks. Perry doesn’t stay blocked long and takes proper angles with outstanding tackling ability. Zimmer loves length, and Perry’s 33 7/8 arms will catch the Vikings attention. His combination of length, size (6’4 254 lbs), and speed (4.68) make him one of my favorite second-round targets. Zimmer will love his steady production on the field and his work ethic and attitude off it.
Kentrell Brothers, ILB Missouri
Brothers is a special player who excels as a downhill disrupter with outstanding tackle production. His 274 tackles over the last two years is more than any other college football player. He can convert speed to power on the move very well. Brother is impressive in the trenches showing instinct and strength to be a force at the point of attack. A physical player with aggressive hands who can quickly work through trash to deliver a thump as a tackler. Brothers displays smart pre-snap recognition skills with the ability to process action immedeately. Zimmer may select an offensive player in rounds one and two hoping an impact tackling machine like Brothers falls to them in the third-round. His poor forty time of 4.89 and short arms may cause him to fall farther than his on field production warrants.
Karl Joseph, S West Virginia
A missle from the secondary with high-impact tackling ability, Joseph shows no hesitation when attacking the ball. Excellent read and react skill who plays much bigger than his size. There are other safeties and even a few fast hybrid linebackers in this class that can play an in-the-box run support safety roll, but I like Joseph more because he is also effective in coverage and that’s important to Zimmer. His ability to impact the running game with his physical nature and relentless pursuit would be a welcomed addition to the Vikings secondary. His seven forced fumbles and nine career interceptions make him a perfect tandem next to Harrison Smith. A year as Griffen’s backup would allow plenty of time for his torn ACL to fully heal. Joseph in the third-round would be a very fun pick and great value if he falls due to the injury and size concerns.
Chris Jones, DT Mississippi State
He has the potential to be a dominant run defender in the NFL. Jones’ violent jump off the snap and great knee bend make him a very tough guy to move. He has the hand punch to knock a blocker back and give himself the advantage. At 6’6” 308 pounds, Jones can play with surprisingly low pad level. He can swallow up double teams and maintain his position rarely getting knocked back. Jones is willing to do the dirty work inside to keep his linebackers clean. If the Vikings go offense with the first two picks, Jones would be a very nice third-round option.
Dominique Alexander, ILB Oklahoma
Alexander has an athletic build capable of handling inside run defending duties with force and athleticism. He is a good wrap-up tackler with the ability to deliver a violent hit. Explosive downhill closer who glides through space when attacking the ball. Alexander is a scrappy and aggressive in-the-box defender who is not afraid of contact. He has some size question marks at 6’0” 232 pounds, but has shown toughness and durability starting 33 consecutive games at inside linebacker racking up 290 career tackles. The Vikings could show some interest in Alexander as early as the third round
Javon Hargraves, DT South Carolina State
A two-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Year as well as a two-time FCS All-American. Hargraves did not look out of place at the East-West Shrine Game or the Senior Bowl. A disruptive athlete with a non-stop motor who is a physical finisher. Hargraves has excellent short area quickness and an explosive first step. He can clogs up running lanes with a powerful lower body and the ability to anchor. The big defensive tackle plays with enough leverage and strength to run over guards or tackles who play too upright. He is stout at the point of attack with strong hands to redirect blockers. His 211 career tackles is outstanding production for the tackle position. Hargraves hopes to hear his name called in the top 100, but because this defensive line class is so deep, he may fall to the Vikings with the 121st selection.