With the 170th pick in the NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings have selected Rodney Adams, wide receiver from South Florida.
Adams will likely be competing for a kick returner spot with the Vikings, and he averaged 24.3 yards per kick return in his final year (with a 29.1-yard average the prior year and a 24.8-yard career average).
He was a recruit for the Florida Gators, but changed his mind when the recruiter, receivers coach Aubrey Hill, resigned. He committed to Toledo, but transferred to South Florida when his mother died and he became the legal guardian for his brother.
Adams’ athletic profile is relatively unique, as he has excellent speed, length and a broad jump but lacks nearly everywhere else, he clearly needs help to learn how to jump higher:
I haven’t seen enough of Adams to make strong conclusions on him, so I’ll quote what Nolan Nawrocki has written in his draft guide, one put together after extensive conversations with NFL scouts and scouting departments.
STRENGTHS: Good length. Nifty runner with the vision, patience and body control to be effective on jet sweeps, reverses, bubble screens and in the kickoff return game. Sets up blocks and has a knack for slashing through creases. Lulls cover men to sleep with his smooth stride off the line — a glider who flashes the ability to create vertical separation. Competitive with the ball in his hands.
WEAKNESSES: Has small, inconsistent hands and a very lean frame with a thin lower body that could be more susceptible to injury — has missed time each of the last three years with lower body injuries. Needs to refine his route-running and learn how to stem and set up defensive back and more precisely come out of breaks (tends to round). Likes to body catch instead of extending outside his frame. Flags the ball too much in the open field and needs to secure it better. Limited strength as a blocker to get in the way. Tied for the fewest bench-press (8) among receivers at the Combine.
FUTURE: Very lean, rangy slot receiver with natural run skills and functional kickoff return ability. Could end for a job as a no. 5 receiver if he is able to earn a role in the return game.
PROJECTION: Priority free agent.
They quite likely over drafted this player, but if one can get a decent Cordarrelle Patterson replacement it is better that it isn’t a first-round pick.
