Quotulatiousness

May 1, 2016

Minnesota Vikings 2016 draft – third day

Filed under: Football — Tags: , , — Nicholas @ 10:53

Coming into the third and final day of the 2016 NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings started the day holding the following picks:

  • Fourth round: 23rd (121st overall)
  • Fifth round: 23rd (160th overall)
  • Sixth round: 5th (180th overall, from San Francisco)
  • Sixth round: 11th (186th overall, from Miami)
  • Seventh round: 19th (240th overall, from Buffalo)
  • Seventh round: 23rd (244th overall)

And here’s how the last day of the draft played out for Minnesota:

Fourth round, 121st pick overall: OL Willie Beavers, Western Michigan.

Willie Beavers

Ben Goessling on the pick:

The Vikings need tackle depth with Matt Kalil, Phil Loadholt and Andre Smith all set to become free agents after this season. In Beavers, they’ll get an agile lineman who could be able to play left tackle in the future if he gets stronger. Beavers, who ran a 5.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and a 4.75 short shuttle at his pro day, could also wind up as a guard. His feet might be his best attribute, and while he’ll need some refinement in the NFL, he’s starting from a good place athletically. It behooves the Vikings to add young linemen that can take a year to develop, and that will likely be their plan with Beavers.

Fifth round, 160th pick overall: LB Kentrell Brothers, Missouri.

Kentrell Brothers

Austin Bellisle reports on Brothers for Viking Territory:

Brothers will immediately add depth at linebacker, but has a chance to contribute right away for the Vikings, and not on the defensive side of the football. When asked if Brothers is a considered a two-down linebacker, Stephenson emphasized the importance of special teams.

“People say that, and maybe so, but we think he gives us value because of his special teams as well.” Last year, the 6’0″, 245-pound linebacker blocked three field goals and projects to be a “core teamer” for the Vikings in 2016 and beyond.

The rookie linebacker joins a crowded group that includes Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Emmanuel Lamur, and Chad Greenway at the top of the depth chart. Stephenson called Brothers a mike, but he does have the versatility to play in the middle or on the strong side of the defense.

Sixth round, 180th pick overall: WR Moritz Boehringer, Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (German Football League).

Moritz Boehringer

Boehringer faces an uphill struggle to make the final team roster, and is apparently the first German player ever selected in the NFL draft. Daniel House looked at how Boehringer got on the Vikings’ radar:

He first started playing football competitively in 2013 and most recently played for the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League. In 2015, he hauled in 70 passes for 1,461 yards, and 16 touchdowns. Additionally, Boehringer was named the German Football League’s Rookie of the Year in 2015.

At 6’4″, 229 pounds, Boehringer brings size and playmaking ability to the Vikings’ wide receiver group. Early in the draft process, Minnesota attended his pro-day at Florida Atlantic and met extensively with him. Boehringer ran an impressive 4.4 40-yard dash and tallied a 39″ vertical. All while having a massive frame and overall body structure. He is very confident in his skills and had a quick response when asked to describe how he plays the game.

“Big, physical, fast guy with good hands,” said Boehringer.

Sixth round, 186th pick overall: Traded (back) to Miami.

Sixth round, 188th pick overall: TE David Morgan, UTSA.

David Morgan

Pro Football Focus says:

Morgan was easily the highest-graded run blocking tight end in 2015, not only among the draft class, but in the entire nation. No. 2 tight ends don’t have a ton of value in today’s NFL, but he is an ideal one that can block and also contribute as a receiver. His 1.65 receiving yards per route run ranked seventh in the TE class.

Seventh round, 227th pick overall: DE/OLB Stephen Weatherly, Vanderbilt.

Stephen Weatherly

At The Viking Age, Dan Zinski says this about Weatherly:

With the 227th overall pick, the Vikings drafted Vanderbilt pass rusher Stephen Weatherly. Though Weatherly played linebacker in college, he projects as a defensive end with the Vikings. […] The 6-4, 267-pound Weatherly seems like a classic Mike Zimmer project. Long and tall, Weatherly has the makings of a solid nickel pass rusher at the next level. He possesses good measurables but scouts say he needs to work on developing more pass rush moves.

Seventh round, 240th pick overall: Traded to Miami.

Seventh round, 244th pick overall: S Jayron Kearse, Clemson.

Jayron Kearse

Pro Football Focus says:

Jayron Kearse is a player that PFF had a fourth-round grade on, and was actually the best-graded player in the Clemson secondary this past season. He had solid grades against both the run and pass and even featured on the blitz, posting the fourth-best pass rushing productivity among safeties in this class for his work on the blitz. Very solid selection for the Vikings this low down at safety.

In addition to the draft picks, the team has 11 roster spots to fill with undrafted free agents. Despite early reports, UDFA contracts are not confirmed until after the team physicals. The team will officially announce those signings on Monday.

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