As the NFL Draft approaches, Vikings Territory is taking a look at prospects that may interest the Minnesota Vikings. Since it’s evident the team would like to add a long-term offensive line starter at some point in the early rounds, let’s examine the players who could fit that mold.
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- School: Auburn
- Position: G
- Projected round: 2-3
- Age: 22
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- Height: 6-6
- Weight: 305 lbs.
- Arm: 32 1/4″
- Hand: 9 3/8″
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- Bench press: 35 reps of 225 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 5.22 seconds
- Vertical jump: 33.5 inches
- Broad jump: 9 feet, 5 inches
- 3-cone drill: DNP
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.77 seconds
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Vikings Interest: 9/10
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- Possesses an ideal frame for an NFL guard.
- Pro Football Focus’ 3rd-highest graded guard in 2017.
- Only allowed six pressures in 14 games last season.
- Started 41 consecutive games at Auburn, playing both right guard and right tackle at a high level.
- Well-rounded player in terms of excelling in pass protection, run blocking and blocking in the screen game.
- He performed well at the combine, putting up the top vertical jump and broad jump numbers among offensive linemen.
- Smith has a “nasty streak” in him. From veteran scout Brandon Thorn’s twitter feed:
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- According to his NFL draft profile, adjusting to the pace of the NFL game is a minor concern.
- Slower than average reaction time when mirroring defenders.
- As the cliché goes, Smith is good in a phone booth but not in open field, limiting his versatility. As a result, he struggles when asked to pull.
- His performance on the field weakened as the season progressed.
- Minor arm length and footwork concerns.
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Bottom Line:
Smith has been flying under the radar as an OL prospect. He projects as an average-to-solid starter in the NFL.
Potential OL starters:
LT Riley Reiff – LG Nick Easton – C Pat Elflein – RG Braden Smith – RT Mike Remmers
More Prospects:
View Comments
I could see the Vikings making him the pick in rounds 2 or 3 and going TE or defense at #30 ~ Lets not forget the heaviest OL on the roster now is 313lbs ~ There may be many more good OG\Center types who better fit this blocking scheme still on the Vikings board in the 3rd who are viewed as lightweights by NFL standards ~ And who knows for sure how the Vikings feel about the young OL on the roster now ~ ??? They could feel all Hill needs is more playing time ~ They guy has all of 3 or 4 starts in the NFL ~ Plus he a Remmers haven't had time to work with each other as the right side of the OL ~ Lastly lets not forget the path Berger took before he became a really good player once he got with the Vikings and moved to Center ~ He came out of College as a OT just like Birk did before he was moved to Center ~
All I know for sure is the draft should have started by now ~ LOL ~ I can't wait to here the Vikings pick called or the trade back into the top of the 2nd while picking up a very high 4th rounder ~