With seven Minnesota Vikings players counting for eight-figure salary cap hits in 2019 — and theoretically 11 players scheduled to make that much in 2020 — the pressure has been turned up on the team’s front office and coaching staff to develop cheap talent from the coffers of the NFL Draft.
While the 2019 class isn’t producing any rookie of the year candidates — only first-round center Garrett Bradbury has started all 14 games — it’s provided numerous role players that have stepped up to supplement all three phases.
In recent weeks, sixth-round pick Armon Watts and seventh-rounder Kris Boyd have begun to emerge, providing further hope that the Vikings are sitting on one of their best classes since 2015, which produced Trae Waynes, Eric Kendricks, Danielle Hunter and Stefon Diggs.
‘NO LONGER A ROOKIE’
For a short spell, it appeared as if Watts may not make the Vikings’ 53-man roster due to a crowded position group with other D-line prospects like Jalyn Holmes, Jaleel Johnson and Hercules Mata’afa blocking the way, but the Vikings opted to keep them all, giving Watts a chance to observe and develop. But it didn’t end up being a redshirt season for the Arkansas rookie.
With Linval Joseph out after undergoing knee surgery before the Vikings’ Week 10 game at Dallas, Watts got his first gameday activation and quickly recorded his first half-sack on Dak Prescott. He’s played in every game since, totaling 59 snaps over the past five weeks, playing a career-high 19 snaps at Los Angeles in Week 15. His batted pass against Russell Wilson in Week 13 also led to Anthony Harris’s interception return for a touchdown.
“I think I was just 100 percent assignment-wise, technique-wise and also while doing that I made a few plays here and there,” Watts said, when asked why he thinks he earned this opportunity. “That’s what coaches look for first. They look for technique and assignment, if you’re 100 percent. If you’re not 100 percent, then they can’t trust you, know what I’m saying?”
According to his head coach, Watts has passed the rookie threshold. Considering Watts only played significant reps in one year of his college career, when he recorded seven sacks for the Razorbacks, he might’ve been a candidate to spend his rookie year absorbing knowledge and working on fundamentals. But Watts was a quick study.
“We have some young defensive players that are still rookies, and then we have other guys that have advanced,” Zimmer said. “Watts, he’s advanced to where he’s been playing a little bit more.”
Those aren’t cheap words coming from a perfectionist like Zimmer, who has held off on playing even higher defensive draft picks their rookie seasons. Watts has rotated in behind Joseph at nose tackle as part of the Vikings’ robust interior rotation that includes Jaleel Johnson, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Stephen Weatherly and Shamar Stephen. He’s also learning from the Vikings’ Pro Bowl caliber defensive ends. While Watts was being interviewed, Danielle Hunter jokingly came to Watts’ locker and leaned over his teammate’s shoulder to hear what was being said. But usually it’s Watts who is doing the listening.
“Really just learning behind Linval, Danielle, Everson. They’ve been to Pro Bowls,” Watts said. “They’ve got the blueprint of what it’s like to be successful in this league. I just try to take as much information from them as possible.”
FLASHING ON SPECIAL TEAMS
Boyd is another first-year player who has advanced beyond the rookie stage, at least in one phase of the game.
“Boyd on special teams, he’s probably not a rookie there,” Zimmer said, “but he might be rookie out at the backend.”
The seventh-round cornerback out of Texas flashed early on in OTAs, experienced a lull in training camp after missing time with an injury, but eventually did enough to make the Vikings roster. While he’s only played 47 defensive snaps, Boyd has become a kick and punt coverage stalwart with a team-high nine special teams tackles while playing a team-high 257 special teams snaps.
[videopress JswEbnRd loop=”true” autoplay=”true”]The niche for Boyd is reminiscent of former first-round pick Trae Waynes, who led the Vikings with 14 special teams tackles his rookie season in 2015.
“Typically, the guys that have played really good on special teams when they’re younger, they usually turn into good position players,” Zimmer said. “Kris is a guy that has been playing really, really well on special teams. Gives me hope for him as a position player down the road. But he’s got a lot of really good qualities, he can really run, he understands what we’re trying to do on special teams.”
Boyd is the latest in a long line of successful Vikings punt gunners, from Cordarrelle Patterson to Waynes to Marcus Sherels. He’s brought a visible energy to the coverage teams that have arguably been the strongest aspects of the Vikings’ special teams units.
“Ain’t nothing new,” Boyd said. “It’s just the dedication and the work you’re willing to put into it. Special teams is a role I also played in college. I actually enjoy it, look forward to it, just getting better every day, every chance I get.”
His chances on defense have been rarer, but they’ve still popped up from time to time. Boyd has appeared in five games — all blowout wins by the Vikings. While there could be shuffling at the cornerback position next season that would open the door for a greater role, Boyd’s standout special teams play has earned his coaches’ respect.
“He’s an unbelievable guy,” said special teams coordinator Marwan Maalouf. “He’s come a long way for a rookie. … He’s really honed in his technique a lot, and he’s bought into it since Day 1.”
