Hidden Gems: Late-Round Talents for the Vikings Draft
Number 24 is already a long wait for the Vikings’ first pick on night number one. It’s the price of being successful the year before.
That wait could get longer if the team trades back later that night or night two. While that might make the Vikings’ draft party end without a bang, it might be the best strategy to supply the team with more talent this year or next. If you watch ESPN or NFL Network, 5 to 10 guys are drafted this year, and the rest are just showing up.
Hidden Gems: Late-Round Talents for the Vikings Draft
They sure do love the shiny toys and the coastal teams that will draft them. So, who do you need to know about later in the draft that might be on the Vikings’ radar in those later rounds and days?
I feel the Vikings will trade down once or twice from 24 to pick up some mid-round picks. They currently have a 1st, 3rd, 5th, and a 6th rounder this year. Not much to play with, and those missing 2nd and 4th rounders cause some big gaps in between. They also don’t have enough capital to move up unless they parlay picks from next year’s draft or current players.
While it may cause some fans’ stomachs to turn with valuable players sitting at pick 24 and the fear of the first draft by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah still hanging in our memories, this may be the path the General Manager takes. Since several trouble spots were shored up in free agency, the Vikings can use the “best player available” strategy and make strengths on the team stronger or questionable positions solid.
Trading back shouldn’t feel as scary. But what names should we be keeping an eye on on days two and three?
Mason Taylor, TE
LSU
(2nd – 3rd round)
Those open tight end spots on the roster need filling. As Dustin Baker pointed out in a previous article, there are usually four on the roster this time of year, regardless of how good T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are.
If the Vikings were to dip back as far as the 2nd round or add a pick to that round, Mason would be an excellent filler to those slots. He comes from a great pedigree, with Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor as his dad and his uncle Zach Thomas, a Hall of Fame linebacker. He’s not a stellar run blocker but is adequate. While he doesn’t have top-end speed, he has the awareness to get open in zones and is big enough to shield off defenders.
He set the school single season record with 55 receptions this season and is the only LSU tight end to have over 100 receptions and 1000 yards receiving in their career. Recently, on Path To The Draft, both Bucky Brooks and Mark Ross gave him high praise, with Ross even saying he may be drafted in the 1st round with this strong tight end class. Daniel Jeremiah currently has him at number 32 on his top 50 board and climbing.
Cameron Skattebo, RB
Arizona State
(Late 2nd – Early 4th round)
The main term you’ll hear from draft speculators is “workhorse”. Skattebo did it all for the Sun Devils out of the backfield. He ran it up the middle, to the outside, and is an extremely adept pass-catcher.
He has shifty feet, tremendous balance, and excellent vision that makes him an exciting back to see running, but he doesn’t have long downfield speed. At the NFL level, other players will catch up to him. However, that might be a painful mistake for them as Skattebo will make them pay for it. He’s not a “bowling ball” running back; he’s a cannonball blasting through defenders and clogged lines. He is a punishing running back with the aforementioned skills to make him more than one-dimensional.
He won’t step out of bounds but will instead crush anyone who might want to escort him in that direction, a la Adrian Peterson. Daniel Jeremiah gave him a significant endorsement when he pointed out on the 40s and Free Agents podcast that no other players from the team were invited to the combine. He got there on his own.
Darius Alexander, DT
Toledo
(Late 3rd – 5th round)
While he isn’t as flashy as the guys that will go before him, he definitely can be a problem for offenses at the next level.
In the last two seasons, he racked up 76 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks with 7 pass breakups. He has the physical tools to be a solid player but will need some refinement, as most in the mid-rounds do. It adds some depth to a position and some youth for the future. With this position so deep, don’t be surprised to see him pushed down the draft as players like Shemar Turner jump up after recently being cleared from a previous injury.
Alexander can play all 3 defensive line positions in a 3-4 and hold up against the run or get after the quarterback. He’s not getting much attention right now, but he could definitely be an option when the Vikings are on the board.
Jake Majors, C
Texas
(6th round)
Center is not a deep position in this draft, nor are there any high-end prospects this year. Some project Grey Zabel as one, but his primary position will be guard with center flexibility.
Majors is listed as the best center in this draft but not expected to go until around the 6th round. Some reports I’ve read say that he might be better than most give him credit for. He is a smart, tough, reliable player with shorter arms than most would like in the NFL.
However, if a veteran like Ryan Kelly can coach him up, he might be able to use that high IQ to overcome his weaknesses and become a starter in the NFL.
Cody Lindenberg, LB
Minnesota
(Late 6th round – undrafted FA)
At this point of the draft, you aren’t looking for starters but potential backups or special team players. Lindenberg is one of those players that Brian Flores likes because he’s smart. He makes up for his weaknesses with that IQ and tenacity you saw on the field while playing with the Gophers.
In the NFL, he may never see the field as a starter, but he could carve out a solid career as a special teamer. When you look at his stats this last year, he put lots of great stuff on tape with 94 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, an interception, and 6 pass breakups. He was Honorable Mention All-Big 10 in 2022 and First Team in 2024.
In 2023, he suffered a leg injury but still racked up 31 tackles, 3.6 for a loss, and had a forced fumble in only 4 games. If Flores can unlock his strengths, he could show up in spot duty.
Longtime Viking Got His Wake-Up Call
You must be logged in to post a comment.