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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

An experienced four-year starter at Northern Illinois, Max Scharping might be the best prospect nobody’s talking about. He showed durability with 53 college starts, versatility with the ability to play right and left tackle, and productivity as he allowed just one sack in his final three seasons (vs Iowa, 2018). Scharping takes up a lot of space at 327 pounds but didn’t seem hampered in his movement ability at the combine, which finished middle of the pack (did not run the 40). Could switch to guard in the NFL.

Size

6-6, 327 pounds

Combine notables

Bench: 27 reps
Vertical: 28 inches
Broad jump: 108 inches
3-cone drill: 7.77 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.69 seconds

What the analysts say

“Ascending tackle prospect with impressive combination of size and functional athletic ability. Scharping has the ability to handle bull-rushers and finds ways to recover and get guys blocked after getting beat early. However, NFL rushers will look to exploit the inconsistent footwork and balance that shows up when his pass sets become hurried and unfocused against true edge speed. He might get a shot at left tackle, but might be best-suited on the right side where he has the potential to become an above-average starter.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Max Scharping may be disqualified from playing offensive tackle for some teams given his wingspan, but he’s actually pretty effective. With his foot speed there’s no question he’ll be better suited at guard, but he can be a starter in a gap/power type system with a little bit of patience. Scharping needs to dial in his lateral mobility to really enhance his functional power and allow him to win blocks at all angles instead of ones that only drive him forward out of the gate.” – Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network

What PFF says

-10^th in pass-blocking efficiency
-9^th in run-blocking success
-1 penalty, 0 QB hits allowed in 2018
-1 sack allowed in last three seasons

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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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