The Vikings Met with a 6’2″ WR Boasting “Legit Speed” and Nastiness
Online discussion of the Vikings draft targets usually comes around to the opening round. But, to be sure, there’s much to be said for what takes place afterwards.
Check out Minnesota’s legendary 2015 draft haul. Stopping at the 1st-Round selection — CB Trae Waynes — would mean arriving at a shoulder shrug. Kicking out the parameters to include the later rounds — LB Eric Kendricks, EDGE Danielle Hunter, and WR Stefon Diggs — means stepping away far more impressed.
Don’t tune out after Thursday, April 23rd. What takes place then will be vital. So, too, will there be some critical decisions afterwards, making a recent update intriguing.
Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network clarified the details last week: “Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling is on a Top 30 visit with the #Vikings today, source said, one of his 7 scheduled visits. Stribling had back-to-back 800 yard seasons.”
Vikings Draft Prep Loops a Speedy & Brawny WR into Mix
Start off with some of the basics.
De’Zhaun Stribling offers an imposing build, coming in at 6’2″ and weighing close to 210 pounds. He ran a blistering 4.36 forty. More broadly, Mr. Stribling’s athleticism is impressive, boasting a RAS Score coming in at 9.88. He therefore offers more athletic promise than the overwhelming majority of receivers.
Similarly of note is that he’s a willing blocker, a detail that will delight every coach.
Check out how Lance Zierlein assesses the young receiver: “Long-striding, vertical-access wideout with steady play and production. Stribling has good size and early acceleration to climb over the top of coverage but lacks short-area quickness to gain separation underneath. His downfield ball skills are above average but he struggles to consistently carve out catch space and fight through contested-catch contact for tight-coverage wins. He has legit speed after the catch once he finds open grass. He’s also one of the most competitive run blockers in the WR class. Stribling projects as an immediate WR4 who could eventually work his way into a starting role.”
Digesting the paragraph above may involve noting some of the athletic promise while still acknowledging that he needs to do a better job when fending off sticky coverage. What adds onto the upside is that he’s “one of the most competitive run blockers in the WR class.” That’s a sneaky detail that really matters.
Oftentimes, the difference between a 7-yard run and a 17-yard run is the effort (or lack thereof) from the receivers. Demolishing defensive backs will ignite a run game while leading to no shortage of praise in the film room during the week. Partnering that blocking mentality with an ability to win deep? Well, that’s someone who is worth drafting.
Last year, Jalen Nailor was the WR3. He offered neither the size nor the speed of Stribling, but he did come to training camp noticeably more muscular. Again, come back to what the Vikings wanted out of its WR3: someone to shake loose down the field and to bully DBs. Nailor did well, but there’s now a need for someone new to jump into the job for the Vikings.
Quite possibly, Minnesota leans on Tai Felton for the assignment. Speed isn’t an issue for the sophomore. And while he’s not a huge guy, he is feisty. Few, if any, are as ferocious when lined up at gunner. He’s the leader in the clubhouse as it relates to the WR3 competition.
In all likelihood, the Vikings will be hesitant to sink its 2nd into De’Zhaun Stribling. The roster offers far more pressing needs than receiver. Being able to snag him in the 3rd — the Vikings are sitting on No. 82 and No. 97 — could be the sweet spot.
Stribling is 23.
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