The Minnesota Vikings have used a somewhat strict policy of creating workout thresholds for potential rookies at the combine and various pro days and might do so again. A number of teams do so to cut their board down from 300-plus players to 150 – the Patriots board is often 75 players – and though the Vikings have moved on from their old models, they may be implementing a new set of thresholds when selecting their players.
We don’t know the new set of thresholds the Vikings have implemented over the last two years, but we may be able to reasonably guess.
For linebackers, there aren’t strict guidelines — they have moved outside of their established trends in the recent past, and could very easily target a linebacker that doesn’t fit the pattern.
For now, we’ll highlight linebackers who ran faster than average in the 40-yard dash (4.75 seconds), ran quicker than average in one or both agility drills (4.33 seconds in the short shuttle and 7.17 seconds in the three cone) and leaped further than average in both explosion drills (33.5” in the vertical leap and 9’8” in the broad jump).
Check out which players at other positions have tested like Minnesota Vikings
Honorable Mentions
Not everyone completed enough of the drills to qualify, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t do those drills at their respective pro days or that they’re struck from the Vikings’ board. A number of high-level linebackers could be in the Vikings’ plans even if they didn’t participate in agility or explosion drills.
The top two linebackers in the draft are almost certainly on the Vikings’ radar, even if they likely will pursue other options in the first few rounds. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that Tremaine Edmunds — who has drawn comparisons to Anthony Barr — and Roquan Smith — an apparent Eric Kendricks clone — are almost certainly high on the Vikings’ board.
Aside from the 40-yard dash, Edmunds only completed the broad jump and doesn’t have other scores to test against the model. Roquan Smith didn’t even do that much. Their pro days are a week apart, on March 14 and March 21, respectively.
Small-school linebacker Darius Leonard from South Carolina State may not have caught the attention of most draft media, but the 234-pound linebacker made a huge impact for his alma mater, playing all over the field in off-ball and rush linebacker roles. Leonard is likely not happy with his already faster-than-average 40-yard dash (4.70 seconds) and will probably perform the full gamut of drills at his pro day — traditionally held late in the draft process; South Carolina State was one of the last ones to hold one last year.
Malik Jefferson gained preseason steam for Texas, but he never developed into a top-tier linebacker with the program. Nevertheless, he should possess the physical tools to wow NFL evaluators.
Without having run agility drills at the combine, we don’t know if he passes the workout thresholds for the Vikings. On March 28, we may find out. There’s a very good chance that he does, at which point the Vikings will have to determine whether or not his problems reading offenses are worth a draft pick.
There’s no question that Shaquem Griffin is the story of this year’s combine. After losing a hand to a congenital condition, Griffin’s story has captivated even casual fans who don’t pay much attention to the NFL in the offseason. His 20 bench reps seem impossible, and his 4.38 40-yard dash at 227 pounds was stunning — a time that would be impressive for a wide receiver weighing 40 pounds less.
Unfortunately, he cramped up after his historic run — the fastest for a linebacker in at least 15 years — and did not perform the rest of the drills. Central Florida’s pro day on March 29 will give us a more complete athletic profile of the inspiring linebacker.
The quickest three cone of any linebacker, and the fourth-quickest of any performer thus far, Dorian O’Daniel has significant upside as a coverage linebacker and weakside run defender.
He was an inch away from qualifying in the vertical leap, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Vikings waived that threshold for a phenomenal three cone performance — or if O’Daniel re-jumped at Clemson’s pro day.
Position Converts
Sometimes, players convert from the edge rusher position to play a more traditional linebacker role, like Anthony Barr did in Minnesota or Jamie Collins in New England. There are a few players at the combine who regularly play a rush linebacker role for their colleges but performed in drills well enough to qualify as potential linebacker candidates in the NFL.
There is virtually no chance that Harold Landry converts to off-ball linebacker given that he’s the top edge rusher prospect on the board for many teams and NFL media.
Still, Anthony Barr was a top-tier edge rusher in the class, and they both share a resume of 20+ tackles for loss and 13+ sacks in their junior seasons. Landry, who won’t be in the range of the Vikings if public draft boards are correct, ran a 4.65 40-yard dash and posted the second quickest three-cone score at his position, 6.88 seconds.
His explosion and agility scores match what the Vikings do at linebacker, and if we’re going to mention other such prospects, Landry definitely deserves to be noted.
At 235 pounds, Marquis Haynes is unlikely to develop as a defensive lineman or a consistent presence on the line of scrimmage. Instead, he may be converted to an off-ball role as a traditional linebacker, where his athletic profile checks out.
Like Dorian O’Daniel, his vertical is just a little off of what the Vikings traditionally prefer for the position, but could re-jump at Mississippi’s pro day on March 23.
Lorenzo Carter was always considered a rangy, gifted athlete when he was recruited to Georgia, but he never blossomed into an elite NFL prospect on the edge. His frame, which makes him look more like a safety and he can’t generate consistent power against SEC tackles.
But, if he has the capability to move backward and flip his hips, he may end up being a better linebacker than edge defender. His extraordinary jump scores — a 36” vertical and 10’10” broad jump — bode well, but he had issues turning the corner as a pass rusher and may not have the fluidity to play off the ball. Georgia’s pro day will certainly be interesting.
He hasn’t run a three-cone yet, and Josh Sweat will almost certainly play defensive end in the NFL, but so long as we’re considering edge defenders who fit the profile of potential converts, he fits the bill. He passes the agility test and aces the explosion drills with a 39.5” vertical and a 10’4” broad jump. He has demonstrated fluidity in college and might be able to transition if he absolutely needs to.
A little light for an edge rusher, Leon Jacobs cruised through drills in a world where he’s an off-ball linebacker. Unfortunately for him, a 7.14-second three cone isn’t great for a 246-pound defensive end, even if it’s pretty good for a big linebacker.
His issues bending around the edge won’t help him as he rushes the passer, but if he can consistently read keys on a defense, he can develop as an athletic backup linebacker with special teams potential. He’s already shown some skill in coverage at Wisconsin and could develop that further with the right coaching.
Like Josh Sweat, Peter Kalambayi is almost certainly going to spend his NFL career as a defensive end. He didn’t take to Stanford’s otherwise excellent coaching very well, and has issues reacting to what he sees in front of him. Nevertheless, he tested extremely well and fits the athletic profile of a linebacker.
Now, to the real linebackers.
Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
A one-year starter, Vander Esch burst onto the scene as a dominant force in the Mountain West. He works best as a blitzer through open lanes and despite the fact that he’s best on a track while also only playing one year as a starter feels like a red flag, he really is an instinctive player.
Lance Zierlein’s scouting report on NFL.com has a choice quotation that drives this home: “Vander Esch is a loose-hipped, instinctive linebacker who played in 2017 like he had a GPS tracker on the football.”
Esch was one of the two dominant testers at this year’s combine, and his workouts compare favorably to super-athletic edge rushers, like Von Miller, T.J. Watt and Tyus Bowser.
Fred Warner, BYU
Warner had an excellent combine with nearly no mention of his more-than-capable performance. A broad jump of 9’11” and a vertical of 38.5″ would be excellent in any year — even a year that features the most athletic linebacker class in recent history — but pairing it with a sub-7.0 second three cone and 4.28-second short shuttle really drives home how good his performance was.
As a coverage linebacker, Warner may end up being one of the best in the class. His instincts against the pass are excellent, while his easy fluidity and excellent range allow him to cover the field without much trouble. He has issues closing down in the run game despite excellent reaction skills, and could add more strength.
Micah Kiser, Virginia
Micah Kiser suffered an MCL injury at the beginning of the college season that limited his mobility, and he was forced to play largely by instinct more than with sideline-to-sideline speed. After a medical check at the Combine — the results of which are different for all 32 teams — Kiser demonstrated that he at least has regained the athleticism that made him a three-star recruit in the first place.
That athletic ability is critical given that it is perhaps his biggest knock as a linebacker who otherwise diagnoses well and plays with great instincts. We don’t know if he’ll be able to put it all together, but his combine results are a good first step for him to recast his draft stock.
[This section has been updated with new information about Kiser’s injury history]Oren Burks, Vanderbilt
Having played multiple positions — inside and outside linebacker, as well as safety — Burks demonstrates the advantages and drawbacks to that experience.
He’s clearly multi-capable and has the range to do anything asked of him, but he also clearly doesn’t know the nuances of playing linebacker. While he could have instant special teams value, he will take some time before he can integrate into a defense.
Genard Avery, Memphis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzDnDMFjGL0
Another position-less player, Avery has played as both an off-ball and rush linebacker. In a former life, Avery was a powerlifter and that strength shows on the field.
Unfortunately, he loses a lot of leverage with his technique and has a lot of problem finishing tackles. He doesn’t move as fluidly on the field as his combine scores seem to indicate but he does demonstrate surprising range for someone with his build.
Matthew Thomas, Florida State
Thomas missed most of his early opportunities to make an impact because of shoulder surgeries and a death in the family. He ended his career with a great performance but he hasn’t shown much consistency from game to game, perhaps due to strength issues. He does have problems anticipating and reacting to developing plays, but the biggest issue might be because of his limited strength to take on blocks.
Thomas’ potential has been tempting for Florida State fans, and his clear agility and movement skills seem like a great asset, but his injury problems kept him off the field for too long.
Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Western Kentucky
The Vikings often hunt for special teams linebackers late in the draft — players like Brandon Watts, Edmond Robinson, Elijah Lee and Kentrell Brothers seem built for special teams performance and Joel Iyiegbuniwe could be the next iteration.
An experienced and successful special teams player, Iyiegbuniwe also has coverage upside with significant range. While his run defense isn’t quite up to par, he does have the inherent athletic profile to roll his hips through blocks successfully if he takes to coaching.
