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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
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL (PODCASTS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES)
INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION

After backing up Saquon Barkley at Penn State, Miles Sanders, 21, got his chance in 2018 and ran with it, leveraging a 1,200-yard rushing season into a likely spot on an NFL roster in 2019. Sanders averaged 5.8 yards per carry and scored nine touchdowns last season for the Nittany Lions while catching 24 passes as well. Has experience as a kick returner, but mainly during his true freshman year. Sanders tested well at the NFL Combine, especially in the 3-cone drill (best at position).

Size

5-11, 211 pounds

Combine notables

40-yard dash: 4.49 seconds (T6th at position)
Bench: 20 reps
Vertical: 36 inches (T6th at position)
Broad jump: 124 inches (6^th at position)
3-cone drill: 6.89 seconds (1^st at position)
20-yard shuttle: 4.19 seconds (3^rd at position)

What the analysts say

“Miles Sanders is a player who likely would have benefitted from returning to school, to develop as a player, but you can understand why he decided to declare and get his. In his first year of starting, Sanders illustrated the body control, effortless explosive cuts, and penchant for stringing moves together that reminded Penn State fans of Saquon Barkley, who they lost last season. However, even where Barkley was lacking in terms of vision and decision-making, Sanders has more significant issues. He struggles to interpret zone flow, manipulate second level defenders, and make split-second decisions when faced with backside pursuit. His eyes and his mind are not yet in perfect tune with his body, which is why his tape is peppered with one electric long run for every two plays that could have been so.” – Benjamin Solak, The Draft Network

What PFF says

-28^th in elusive rating
-Top 50 percent in missed tackles forced per attempt
-Bottom 50 percent in pass-blocking efficiency

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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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