Vikings Connected to Rookie with “Rare Athleticism”
The middle rounds need love, too.
Vikings Connected to Rookie with “Rare Athleticism”
That’s the word from Pro Football Focus this week, an outfit that named ideal team fits for rookies outside of Round 1. The 2025 NFL Draft is about two weeks away, and the Minnesota Vikings will pick at least four times during the three-day period.
And per PFF, Minnesota should do its homework on defensive tackle JJ Pegues, a man with “rare athleticism” from Ole Miss.
PFF’s JJ Pegues Endorsement for Vikings
The current Minnesota defense, led by boss Brian Flores, often embraces player versatility — men who can play more than one position. Safety Josh Metellus can attest.
So, PFF’s Mason Cameron wasn’t shy about calling Pegues, a versatile defensive lineman, a fit for Minnesota. He wrote, “Versatility is Pegues’ calling card. He took snaps all over the defensive line, as well as in goal-line packages on offense, in college. The Ole Miss fan-favorite is a relentless, high-energy player, evidenced by his high-percentile grades as a run defender (87th) and pass rusher on true pass sets (84th).”
“Given the creativity of Brian Flores and Kevin O’Connell, there’s no better landing spot to make full use of Pegues’ skill set.”
Vikings fans often pour all attention in Round 1 of the draft instead of the whole process, but outside of the 1st-Round, Pegues would indeed make sense for Flores’ defense.
Pegues lives on the Consensus Big Board at No. 141 as of April 9th, meaning Minnesota could pluck him in Round 5 or 6.
Already a Mock Draft Connection
PFF’s Pegues-to-Vikings angle isn’t the first mention of the draft cycle. CBS Sports mock-drafted him to Minnesota earlier this week.
Although CBS Sports‘ Cody Benjamin “reached” for Pegues in his Vikings mock — he chose him for Minnesota in Round 3 — the connection is there, nevertheless.
“The Vikings committed big bucks to Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave on the defensive interior, but both veterans are over 30. And incumbent starter Harrison Phillips isn’t far off. In other words, Brian Flores’ front could use some developmental pieces,” Benjamin explained.
“Pegues had inconsistencies at Ole Miss, but his superpower is his versatility, offering both the compact size (6-2, 309) and quickness to move along the defensive line.”
Georgia safety Malaki Starks represented Minnesota’s 1st-Round pick in Benjamin’s mock, a semi-popular theory with the draft 15 days out.
JJ Pegues’ Scouting Report
Pegues is 6’2″ and 310 pounds, a former tight end turned defensive tackle. He’ll need pass-rushing refinement — hence the non-Round-1 stock — but the Vikings’ coaching staff could obviously help with that.
NFL Draft Buzz describes his scouting report: “A powerful interior defender with rare athletic traits, Pegues transitioned from tight end to defensive tackle after transferring from Auburn to Ole Miss in 2022. His movement skills and explosiveness immediately stand out on film, particularly in his ability to fire off the ball and penetrate the backfield. The former skill position background manifests in his exceptional lateral mobility and pursuit ability, traits that separate him from traditional defensive tackles.”
“Working primarily from 0 to 3-technique alignments, Pegues displays natural leverage and the functional strength to hold his ground against single blocks while showing development against double teams.”
Vikings fans have sought impactful three-technique DT prospects for years. Pegues, at least as a mid-round option, would inspire some long-term hope.
“His initial quickness and agility allow him to defeat zone blocking schemes, though his hand technique remains a work in progress. In the run game, he consistently maintains gap discipline while demonstrating the lateral quickness to work down the line and make plays outside his primary gap,” NFB added.
“What sets Pegues apart is his proven effectiveness as a short-yardage specialist on offense, where his athleticism and instincts have made him a consistent threat in goal-line situations.”
Planning DT for the Future
Minnesota certainly hasn’t ignored the defensive tackle position this offseason. In March, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah reconstructed the interior of his defensive line by signing Jonathan Allen from the Washington Commanders and Javon Hargrave of the San Francisco 49ers.
Adofo-Mensah also re-upped with upstart DT Jalen Redmond, who performed wonderfully in 2024 following a stint in the UFL.
Alas, the defensive tackle position has been prioritized after years of mediocre solutions. Pegues would represent the next step, a youthful one.
Other Mid-to-Late-Round Options?
If the Vikings indeed seek the middle section of the draft for iDL aid but don’t draft Pegues, these men are also options after Round 3:
- Vernon Broughton (Texas)
- Jamaree Caldwell (Oregon)
- Howard Cross (Notre Dame)
- Cam Jackson (Florida)
- Rylie Mills (Notre Dame)
- Aeneas Peebles (Virginia Tech)
- Elijah Roberts (SMU)
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