Photo Credit: Luke Inman
After witnessing last year’s outstanding rookie draft class, fans will have to be careful with their expectations this season for the Vikings’ first-year players. With an already-deep roster and a number of free agents added to the fold, there likely won’t be bountiful contributions – at least at first – from the eight-man draft class.
On top of that, there haven’t been many scintillating performances from the team’s draftees that would propel anybody up the depth chart, though some have shown better than others.
Here are the Vikings’ draft class power rankings through Saturday night’s scrimmage.
(Keep in mind that these rankings are more greatly based on performance versus expectations, rather than pure talent. For example, Laquon Treadwell will probably have a more impactful season and career than David Morgan II, but may not have had as good a camp. In short, these rankings are quite fluid.)
TE David Morgan II (6th Round)
The long-haired (sometimes man-bun-wearing) tight end has come in and been exactly what Vikings’ fans expected: Rhett Ellison 2.0. With Ellison likely starting the season on the PUP list due to a patellar tendon tear, Morgan could serve as his understudy quite nicely. He’s gotten plenty of reps with the 1’s, especially in run sets. He’s also shown a surprisingly good knack for catching the ball, despite amassing just over 1,100 yards receiving in his college career. “He has little subtleties in his game that help him to get open,” said head coach Mike Zimmer. “He catches the ball good, especially in traffic, and he’s been a solid steady blocker, and that’s kind of why we were attracted to him because of his blocking ability.”
The word from the coaching staff is that Ellison may have a competition on his hands to steal playing time away from Morgan once he returns. That’s a huge compliment, considering Ellison has been the team’s best blocking tight end for several years now.
S Jayron Kearse (7th Round)
At 6-foot-4, the team’s final draft pick Jayron Kearse towers over his fellow safeties. His outlandish length made him an intriguing prospect this spring, and his play during camp has turned even more heads. “He’s a specimen,” said safety Harrison Smith.
Kearse can close passing windows quickly with long strides and even longer arms. Zimmer has talked about the importance for Kearse to remain fairly upright and not dip down at the waist before breaking, to which Kearse seems to have responded well. He’s been playing substantially with the second team and has a great chance to make the roster at the expense of Antone Exum, Jr., and possibly veteran Michael Griffin, since his upside and long-term outlook is higher than both. “Somebody go out there and take the job,” Zimmer has said concerning the safety competition.
DE Stephen Weatherly (7th Round)
Weatherly has had a relatively quiet camp, often playing with the third team when reps are less under the microscope, but the Vanderbilt alum has shown well. The question is: Will the Vikings keep nine defensive ends as they did last season? The 2015 defensive line only had two sure things with Everson Griffen and Brian Robison, while Scott Crichton, Danielle Hunter and Justin Trattou were question marks. Now, Hunter is established as a fierce pass rusher and Trattou popped as a depth D-end last season, giving the defensive line more certainty with its top two backups. This could force Weatherly to the practice squad, where he can develop and perhaps join the 53-man next season. “He’s come in and bought into what we are trying to do, and guys can see the potential,” said defensive coordinator George Edwards. “He’s got a chance to help us, and he’s working diligently.”
LB Kentrell Brothers (5th Round)
It’s very unlikely Brothers sees much time at the Mike linebacker spot this year (barring injuries), but as a special teams player, he could be valuable considering his vision, blocking and tackling ability. The Vikings may have to keep seven linebackers to ensure Brothers’ inclusion, however, since their top six appear to be solidified with Emmanuel Lamur and Audie Cole having nice camps. Seven would be more than they’ve kept in the past, but not inconceivable.
The Vikings have hinted that Eric Kendricks may someday move outside, which could open up a spot for Brothers in the middle down the road. That won’t happen this year, though. Brothers probably won’t see many defensive reps.
WR Laquon Treadwell (1st Round)
The high expectations for Treadwell have not quite been met in this camp, which is discouraging but not the end of the world. The rookie wideout has still shown tenacity as a blocker, not to mention a fiery personality in general that led to an altercation with Jabari Price. He made a pair of fine catches in traffic during Saturday night’s scrimmage, which may be a sign of improvement.
Those catches haven’t been regular occurrences, unfortunately. Treadwell hasn’t seen a high percentage of balls tossed his way during 11-on-11 drills, a sign that he’s not creating great separation. Most of the targets his way have been well contested, and he’s been unable to win any of those 50/50 balls. He’s also been drop prone during individual drills, especially when balls have been thrown imperfectly but still in his catch radius.
I’m anticipating Charles Johnson to be the Week 1 starter unless a flip switches in Treadwell when the preseason games begin.
G Willie Beavers (4th Round)
The Western Michigan product has been spotty at camp with some very nice days and some others rather disappointing, but after the Twitter public basically gave up on Beavers after seeing his dismal college rankings, he’s come to Mankato and looked capable at times, especially early on – not great, but more like a viable swing guard in the future. The fact that he’s been able to hold his own at all against the Vikings’ spectacular second group of defensive tackles is uplifting news. “Everybody that I’m going against now is good,” said Beavers, “and it’s just getting me better and I love the competition.”
Beavers has raved about how smart Tony Sparano is as a coach and how he’s helped him out with technique. That’s encouraging to hear, considering the Vikings will likely be without Mike Harris when the season begins. In all likelihood, the team will keep two depth guards. One will be Joe Berger, and the other may be Willie Beavers, though our guy Arif Hasan argues here that Austin Shepherd is a much better alternative. He was also listed behind Zac Kerin on the team’s first depth chart. The decision will be fascinating.
WR Moritz Boehringer (6th Round)
To this reporter’s eye, the Vikings’ German import has vastly improved his play from OTAs when he frequently dropped passes and got turned around in his routes. That gets him out of the power rankings basement. Will that improvement be enough to sneak onto the practice squad? Unlikely. “It’s a big change, the physical part,” said offensive coordinator Norv Turner on Monday morning. “The physical presence of the defensive players, it’s a big change from what he’s experienced.”
The speed of Boehringer doesn’t appear very distinguishing now that he’s playing against NFL defenses. It’s also evident that he’s still trying to figure out the mental side of the game, which in his defense can’t be easy, since football lingo is sometimes tough to track even if English is your first language.
I expect Boehringer to be cut, but he deserves props for elevating his game after a rocky spring.
CB Mackensie Alexander (2nd Round)
Don’t sound the alarm bells because Alexander is last on the list. He’s still a terrific prospect, but mastering the nickelback position is something that’s never done overnight. Alexander won’t be nearly as active this year as last year’s second-round pick Eric Kendricks was in his rookie season, and that’s OK. If Alexander can have a season like Trae Waynes did last season – occasional doses of playing time without any long-term responsibility – it would be the best thing for him.
Zimmer has taken a personal interest in grooming Alexander, often pulling him aside to hone his footwork. Those are the little things that often get overlooked by a player who is still trying to recall techniques from the meeting room and transfer them to the field.
Seeing Waynes’ growth in Year 2 under Zimmer’s tutelage, it’s easy to be hopeful about what Alexander can become. He’s just not there yet.
