The Minnesota Vikings’ defense is slowly taking shape as the offseason rolls along. Patrick Peterson will be back patrolling the top cornerback spot, and Minnesota opted to keep Danielle Hunter up front. They scooped up Za’Darius Smith in free agency to bolster the defensive front, and Harrison Phillips will help the interior push from the middle of the defensive line.
Still, there are plenty of needs they can address in the draft. The Vikings may put safety on the back burner with the always-reliable Harrison Smith in the frame. But Smoke Monday is an exciting prospect the Vikings should take a look at.
Monday played college ball at Auburn and is the definition of a dude who just loves football. He has an alpha personality and carries himself with abundant confidence on the field. While he isn’t projected to be a first- or second-round selection, that could play into Minnesota’s hands.
The Vikings have other prominent needs they could address early in the draft. Once those middle and late rounds roll around, teams start taking flyers on certain players. Monday could be one of those guys.
Monday is projected to go somewhere in the third or fourth round, and for good reason. He’s been susceptible in the passing game, primarily in man coverage and on play-action, and his hip movement has been labeled as “stiff” by many scouts. However, while he’s limited — or at least appears to be — in that area, he’s tremendous when he’s hovering around the line of scrimmage.
The gears really start turning when Monday is up near the ball at the line. He’s excellent at diagnosing run plays and where they are headed. He’s also great at pursuing the quarterback and ball carriers. Monday’s nine tackles for loss last season alone were critical for Auburn’s defense.
He also has big-play ability. Monday intercepted a pass and took it back to the house for six three times at Auburn. What he lacks in the passing game with fluid movement he makes up for — at least partially — by making huge plays for the defense.
It’s hard to argue against a guy who just loves getting out on the field and playing the game. Per NFL.com, one NFC executive took notice.
“When all his teammates were opting out of their bowl game, Smoke opted in because he couldn’t imagine not playing in an extra game. I want those kinds of guys on my field.”
Every team could use more of those types of players.
Minnesota doesn’t have a desperate need at safety. But drafting someone like Monday would open up an array of packages that he could plug in during his rookie campaign to try and make those game-altering plays or come up with a massive stop in the run game. It’s what he excels at, and a team like the Vikings wouldn’t expect him to start right away and play every snap.
Monday would have time to adjust and get a little comfortable as the Vikings find ways to sprinkle him into the game plan. He’s a different type of safety and almost a throwback. But Monday could carve out a huge role in the next decade with whatever team drafts him.
Giving him time to hone his coverage skills and develop could help his game blossom down the road.
Via USA Today, Monday’s leadership and tackling stick out on the resumé in a major way.
“Perhaps the most noticeable part of Monday’s game is his passion and leadership. Whichever team drafts him will immediately add a quality leader to their locker room.
Another clear strength is Monday’s tackling ability. Monday does not shy away from contact and does an excellent job of delivering a hard hit and rarely misses a tackle.
Lastly, Monday is a playmaker, he had a pick-six in each of the past three seasons, and has experience playing special teams.”
Smoke Monday is one of those intriguing prospects that won’t go until the middle rounds, but once those rounds are up, he’ll stand out compared to many of the others still on the board. He makes game-changing plays, loves to put the helmet on and get on the field, and can deliver bone-crushing hits. There are certainly elements of his game that need fine-tuning, but that’s the beauty of players taken in the middle of the draft.
Monday is far from a perfect prospect, but he could boost the Vikings’ defense in a spot role in his rookie season while elevating the rest of his game.
