CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF
The NFL Draft season is officially underway with the start of the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
Nowhere in the country or on the draft calendar will coaches, general managers and scouts alike have an opportunity to deep dive into potential prospects both on and off the field quite like this. Jim Nagy offers two teams, consisting of 110 players, at the fingertips of all 32 franchises to start their interview process to gather as much information as they can before heading to Indianapolis for the combine.
Here are five under-the-radar targets for the Minnesota Vikings to get a head start on in Mobile.
Logan Stenberg, OG, Kentucky
It’s no secret the Vikings will look to improve the talent and depth on their offensive line, specifically the interior that was exposed during their final game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Stenberg was voted “Mr. Nasty” by fellow players as a guy who resembles a junkyard dog in the trenches. He’s a guy who both physically and verbally is working 24/7 between his non-stop-motor and possibly non-stop trash talking well after. More impressive was the fact Stenberg allowed just one pass pressure all season, showing off a great balance of run- and pass-blocking abilities.
With his ultra-aggressive mindset does come too many penalties as he racked up a gaudy 24 over a two-year span. If coaches can ever teach him how to let up after the play is over, Stenberg could be a great addition to an offensive line that could desperately use more nastiness in its identity.
Nice power from @UKFootball OL Logan Stenberg. Feet keep churning. pic.twitter.com/DcSQ9Vedgw
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) December 30, 2017
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
After an outstanding career, Jones could cement himself into a top-20 pick with a great week in Mobile. A rare blend of size (6’7”, 315) and freaky athleticism, Jones offers teams not just a raw ball of clay, but a high-end prospect with a solid body of work at Houston.
He’s another offensive lineman to keep a close eye on during Senior Bowl week. In fact, it could be argued that nobody has more to gain this week than Jones — who just might require the Vikings’ 25th overall pick on Day 1 of the draft.
Jauan Jennings, WR, Tennessee
Here’s another junkyard dog to add to the mix. Nobody in the country broke more tackles than Jennings, who broke his way out of nearly 40 attempted takedowns.
A former dual-threat quarterback as a freshman for the Vols, Jennings moved to wideout but kept the play-making mentality with the ball in his hands. While more explosive route runners and accelerators typically stand out in Mobile during one-on-ones, Jennings may get lost in the mix in a loaded class of wideouts, offering tremendous value for some lucky team early on Day 3.
The Vikings may have found a good developmental passing target in last year’s draft with Bisi Johnson. However, he seems better suited as a great No. 4 option than a limited No. 3. Adding Jennings to the mix would give the Vikings the depth they desperately need if and when their star two weapons get dinged up.
Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
One of the most talented cornerbacks out of high school, Holmes was a five-star recruit who failed to live up to the hype. The reason why, however, seems to be pointed at more of a coaching and environmental problem than anything else.
Holmes can flat out fly and showed great versatility inside and outside as a more-than-capable cover corner. With Mike Zimmer’s pedigree at maximizing his talent at the position, Holmes could be a perfect fit and value on Day 2 with big names like Mackensie Alexander, Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes potentially on the way out.
With boatloads of wide receiver talent in Mobile, Holmes has a huge opportunity to solidify his stock and reestablish a name for himself in the football world once again.
Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
Every year people ask where to find the next Danielle Hunter in the draft. It’s easier said than done, but Lewis might be the first dart I’d throw up on the board. While he has the Alabama name, Lewis is far from a sure thing or safe bet in NFL circles due to injury history and a lack of technique.
Terrell Lewis: “I want to play. I want to have a legacy when I leave Alabama.”#RollTide pic.twitter.com/LQVZVirc6u
— Alabama DieHards (@AlabamaDieHards) December 27, 2018
Enter Andre Patterson, who has helped mold and develop raw defensive linemen into starters. Lewis is yoked up with long arms and NFL size (6’5”, 252), handing all the physical tools needed over to Patterson to work his magic once again.
Between his high intensity, physicality and length, Lewis could be a player we look back and ask how he lasted as long as he did late on Day 2.
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF
