After taking a break for a whopping 69 picks, the Minnesota Vikings selected Walter Rouse, an offensive lineman from Oklahoma in the sixth round. Rouse stands at 6’6″, weighs 322 lbs., and played four years at Stanford before transferring to Oklahoma. Rouse primarily played left tackle in college for the Sooners and Stanford, and in his final season he impressed by allowing zero sacks on 481 pass-blocking snaps.
The Vikings are already set at tackle; both Brian O’Neil and Christian Darrisaw are two of the best at their positions. Rouse will serve as a backup with Blake Brandel, the former left tackle backup, slotting into the starting left guard spot.
Here is a quick look at Rouse and what he accomplished in 2023.
ESPN’s Steve Muench noted, “Rouse started 52 games at left tackle in college. He’s quick to diagnose games and pressures in pass protection. Rouse has good size and tends to hold his ground when edge rushers try to go through him. This positional blocker can cover up defenders in the run game.”
Bleacher Report’s scouting department created a player profile on Rouse that praised both his experience and length. However, they pointed out that Rouse tends to be too stiff in his lower half and also struggles to redirect and change directions in pass coverage.
With their second pick in the sixth round, the Vikings selected kicker WIll Reichard from Alabama.
Reichard was one of the premier kickers in college football and was clutch for the Crimson Tide in big spots. Reichard made all five of his 50-plus-yard attempts and ended up surpassing both the NCAA and SEC all-time points record.
Reichard will walk into a kicker battle this preseason with former XFL kicker John Parker-Romo.
Steve Muench said Reichard is “accurate and consistent on field goal attempts inside 40 yards, plus he has the leg strength to connect from long range.”
