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TOP 40 PLAYERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
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INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION

As a four-year contributor at Notre Dame, Jerry Tillery, 22, overcame some attitude concerns early in his career to become a feared 3-technique for the Fighting Irish. Tillery compiled 11.5 sacks in his final two seasons, forcing three fumbles, and was part of the Bednarik and Outland Watch Lists. May not quite have the length desired for a player of his height and weight but is still mobile enough to unravel protections. Struggled as a run-stopper in college, per Pro Football Focus metrics.

Size

6-6, 295 pounds

Combine notables

40-yard dash: 4.93 seconds (8^th at position)
Bench: 23 reps
Vertical: 32 inches
Broad jump: 115 inches
3-cone drill: 7.45 seconds

What the analysts say

“Tillery is a projection-based prospect with first-class traits and dominant potential, but he’s still searching for more consistency from game to game. While his frame is suited for a role as an end in a classic 3-4 scheme, he has plenty of tape showing he shouldn’t be scheme dependent on the next level. Scouts would like to see more dominant tape considering his size and power, but if he takes coaching and learns to unleash his hands, he could become an unruly interior force and good three-down starter.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“The Jerry Tillery that took the field in 2018 was light years beyond the player that suit up for the Irish the seasons prior, showing improvement in key areas like his pass rush plan, hand usage and pad level at the point of attack. He’s not perfect, as there are a couple reps every game that he takes the worst of an exchange in the run game, but he’s certainly not a liability in run defense, and his pass rush ability makes him a potential high-impact interior defensive lineman in the NFL.” – Jon Ledyard, The Draft Network

What PFF says

-5^th in pass-rush productivity
-Bottom 25 percent in run-stop percentage (3.6 percent)
-18^th in snaps per outside pressure

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CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE
ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE

TOP 40 PLAYERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL (PODCASTS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES)
INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION

Sam Ekstrom

Sam Ekstrom is an executive producer and host at Locked On Sports Minnesota. He's previously covered the Vikings for 105 The Ticket, Zone Coverage, Purple Insider, and the Associated Press. He grew up in Vermillion, S.D. rooting for the USD Coyotes (not SDSU) and graduated from Dordt (not "dork") University in Sioux Center, Iowa.

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