Players to Watch for Vikings at NFL Combine
The NFL off-season is starting to heat up with the start of the NFL Combine. The combine will take place from March 1st through March 7th. All of the NFL’s teams will be there, including coaches, scouts, and general managers, to get a look at the incoming rookie class.
This is the first time that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell will be evaluating rookies as the decision-makers. Therefore, it’s difficult for fans to know what attributes they look for in players. However, we can gain some insight from listening to their press conferences.
For instance, the Vikings have repeatedly stated they want to build around Kirk Cousins and what he does best. Also, the Vikings staff has discussed being multiple or running a lot of different personnel groupings.
What Type of Players do the Vikings Want?
We need to listen to what Ed Donatell and Wes Phillips said at their introductory press conferences. Donatell spoke about being multiple by playing 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. The front itself is not important. It’s the gap responsibility that matters as multiple means the defensive line needs players who can one, two, and one-and-a-half gap.
Wes Phillips was asked what the primary personnel will be for the offense. He discussed how the players you have dictate personnel groupings. Essentially he wants to put the best 11 guys on the field. However, he also noted it’s about how the defense is matching you. Therefore, if the defense can match your 21 or 12 personnel, maybe you run 11 personnel that day. Or, you mix and match throughout the game or even mid-drive.
The new coaching staff won’t give away their schemes in press conferences. However, based on the comments from various staff members, it’s safe to assume they want options. The Vikings will look for versatile defensive players to keep opponents guessing. Also, they will be looking for depth on offense to run a variety of personnel groupings.
Defensive Players to Watch
It is no secret that Vikings desperately need defensive players at all three levels. It would not be surprising to target a top cornerback or edge rusher with the 12th overall pick. Although, there is quite a bit of depth in this year’s draft at both positions. Defensive linemen and linebackers will showcase their skills on March 4th and defensive backs on March 5th. So, who are we watching?
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George Karlaftis, Perdue – Quick off the ball, an instinctive pass rusher, and plays with physicality.
David Ojabo, Michigan – Raw talent but has all the physical traits you want in a 4-3 or 3-4 edge rusher.
Nakobe Dean, Georgia – Smaller-than-ideal linebacker but maintains gap discipline and is fast enough to play sideline to sideline.
Devin Lloyd, Utah State – Physical linebacker with the ability to stop the run and rush the passer.
Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State – Good pass rusher and is capable of setting the edge in the run.
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati – Excellent man-to-man coverage ability and the confidence to do it.
Derek Stingley Jr., LSU – All of the athletic traits to play against the best wide receivers in the league.
Offensive Players to Watch
The Vikings offense is loaded with talent at the skills position. Therefore, it’s difficult to imagine them using a lot of draft capital on the offensive side. However, the offensive line needs some work, and there are a couple of good ones in this draft. The Vikings could also look to add depth at the skill positions later in the draft.
Kenyon Green, Texas A&M – A bulldozer in the run game but has a tendency to hold if he gets beat in pass protection.
Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa – Atheltic and understands leverage positions, but is smaller and will struggle against big interior defenders.
Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State – Quick to reach top-end speed and aggressive while finishing a run.
George Pickens, Georgia – Great ball skills with an excellent catch radius but route running needs to be polished.
Drake London, USC – Not the fastest receiver but is savvy in his route running and naturally high points the ball.
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