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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

Considered the nation’s top defensive back by virtue of winning the Jim Thorpe Award in 2018, Deandre Baker, 21, will look to overcome some size concerns in the NFL. At less than six feet and under 200 pounds, Baker’s coverage skills will be of utmost importance. He played best on the outside in college as he amassed seven interceptions and 23 passes defended over the last three seasons and earned first-team All-American honors as a senior. Had an interception in Georgia’s heartbreaking championship loss to Alabama in 2017-18. Was analytically terrific in college but had a non-descript combine. We’ll see where his status falls once teams examine the tape and weigh it against his measurables.

Size

5-11, 193 pounds

Combine notables

40-yard dash: 4.52 seconds
Bench: 14 reps
Broad jump: 118 inches (3^rd lowest at position)

What the analysts say

“Pesky press corner who has proven he can thrive against man-to-man challenges in a competitive conference. Baker isn’t a burner, but has good play speed and the foot quickness and pattern recognition to stay tight in his coverage. The biggest issue teams might have with Baker is determining whether or not he can give up 30-plus pounds against bigger, outside receivers and still hold up.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Deandre Baker projects favorably as a press man corner in the NFL. If allowed to play within the contact window and disrupt route releases, Baker can be an impact starter from the get go. With some concerns centered around his long speed, Baker is a more favorable fit in a Cover 2 heavy defensive system, where he can be afforded deep help to ensure he’s not compromised vertically in the event he misses his jam at the LOS. Baker can make an immediate impact in the NFL.” – Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network

What PFF says

-5^th in force incompletion percentage
-Zero TDs allowed in coverage last two seasons
-3^rd in yards per cover snap
-149^th in yards per cover snap from slot

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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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