Strong combine performances from interior D-linemen who could be on Vikings’ radar
The Minnesota Vikings are heading into free agency and the draft with only Linval Joseph and Jaleel Johnson as their only interior defensive linemen. Naturally that pushes D-lineman up toward the top of the most likely positions the Vikings will address at No. 30 overall – even if they do re-sign free agents Tom Johnson and/or Shamar Stephen.The defensive line class was on display in Indianapolis on Sunday and the top players did what they were supposed to do – with the exception of Michigan’s Maurice Hurst, who was a likely late-first but went back to Michigan to address a heart condition discovered at the Combine.
Here are the top names (outside of the No. 1 interior D-lineman Vita Vea, who is a NT) and how they stood out in Indy:
On Sunday he ran an impressive 4.91 40-yard dash with a second 10-yard split faster than Joey Bosa and close to Solomon Thomas.
Payne’s Combine performance combined with his excellent college football playoff might push him up too far up the board for the Vikings to have a chance.
Taven Bryan, Florida
Bryan may fit the mold of a three-technique DT that the Vikings are looking for. He is under 300 pounds and is known for his athleticism and explosiveness. Mayock has made comparisons to JJ Watt. He ran a sub-5.0 40-yard dash, ranked sixth among defensive linemen in the bench press and fourth in the broad jump.
Harrison Phillips, Stanford
Unlike Payne and Bryan, Phillips did put up numbers in college, totaling 14.5 sacks and 27 tackles for loss in the last two seasons for the Cardinal. On Sunday, Phillips out-lifted Vita Vea, benching 42 reps. At 6-foot-4, 307-pounds, he might not fit the typical profile of a Vikings three-tech, especially with a 5.2 40-yard dash.
Rasheem Green, USC
Green is a fit if the Vikings want to replace Tom Johnson, weighing in at 275 pounds with a 4.73 40-yard dash – the fastest of any DT. But there are concerns about whether he can fit as an interior defensive lineman.
The bottom line
While the Vikings will be looking closest at an impressive offensive line class, the defensive line group will have a number of prospects who could be available at No. 30 or in the second round. They will still likely have to look at D-line in free agency even if there are plans to draft a player in that spot.
Entire Article Here:
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.