Down Draft Gophers May Look Good in Purple
The Minnesota Gophers will have a player taken in the top two rounds for the sixth consecutive year. Offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery is that good, and he could realistically go in the first round. After an impressive Pro Day on Wednesday, though, it’s clear that P.J. Fleck’s team has more to offer.
Down Draft Gophers May Look Good in Purple
Every single NFL team had representation at Athletes Village, and more than 70 NFL personnel were in person for the festivities. Ersery and a host of other Gophers didn’t need to prove much after showing out at the NFL Combine. Still, plenty made waves that could have an impact in later rounds of the NFL Draft.
Arguably, the most impressive athletic feat was cornerback Ethan Robinson’s 42-inch vertical jump. He showed well in drills and could be a depth addition at a position Minnesota should still focus on.
Cody Lindenberg is a local kid looking to follow in the footsteps of Blake Cashman. His collegiate career has included multiple injuries, but he continues to rebound and produce every time he is on the field. Linebacker help next to Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. makes sense even with Eric Wilson returning.
I’m not certain how high Daniel Jackson goes in the NFL Draft, but Minnesota may have interest in additional wide receiver talent even after signing Rondale Moore. Jordan Addison is likely to be suspended at some point next season, and more talent for J.J. McCarthy isn’t a bad thing.
The Vikings have employed some depth at tight end in recent seasons and now have seen that fade. Nick Kallerup is a name to watch there, and his athleticism shined at multiple points in the Gophers offense this past season.
Unquestionably, the biggest name on the field outside of Ersery was quarterback Max Brosmer. He definitely showed that he was worthy of being drafted, and Kevin O’Connell could bring him in as a depth project. The Vikings still need to find a veteran quarterback behind McCarthy, but they’ll also have a third in the organization.
Right now, Brett Rypien is holding that spot. Rypien has played NFL games and has a level of experience. There’s a real argument to be made that Brosmer represents a higher ceiling, and he definitely put himself in the conversation to avoid little more than an undrafted free-agent priority.
Minnesotans always love a good one of us story, and the next from the Gophers program could soon come to fruition.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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