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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

A transfer from Kansas with one career receptions, Jace Sternberger transferred to Texas A&M and took off, compiling a big enough year to head to the NFL Draft as a first-team All-American. Sternberger was the Aggies’ leading receiver by far and scored 10 touchdowns, though was held to a season-low one catch in Texas A&M’s bowl win. He is reportedly adding weight to improve his physicality, which has been questioned by pundits. Didn’t test as well as other pass-catching-centric tight ends so will need to round out his game to make it.

Size

6-4, 251 pounds

Combine notables

40-yard dash: 4.75 seconds
Bench: 17 reps (T6th lowest at position)
Vertical: 31.5 inches (6^th lowest at position)
Broad jump: 113 inches (T5th lowest at position)

What the analysts say

“Despite his experience in-line and willingness to block in Jimbo Fisher’s offense, he has neither the size nor strength to handle those duties as a pro. Sternberger is athletic with above-average ball skills, catch radius and route breaks that help him undercover on the second and third level. His paychecks will be tied to his pass-catching so he’ll need to play stronger through route contact and with better focus when contested.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Physically and athletically, Sternberger is an ideal receiving tight end with good hands and the speed to stretch the field. He’s still growing as a route runner and developing the mental aspects of his game, but few tight ends can make splash plays like he can, both before and after the catch. Sternberger will need to prove he can hang with the big boys as a blocker which could limit his early impact in the NFL, but with his arrow pointing up, I expect he’ll be a late-blooming stud in his second or third year.” – Jon Ledyard, The Draft Network

What PFF says

-8^th in yards per route run
-12^th in lowest drop rate
-1^st in deep passing receptions

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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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