Written By Sam Ekstrom
Most of the time, the Minnesota Vikings fan community has the depth chart figured out immediately following the NFL Draft. With a new crop of players entering the fold, each rookie’s role is quickly determined, several Steals of the Draft are identified, and the Rookie of the Year murmuring begins for at least one of the first-year talents.
The problem is: Once the coaches get their hands on them, things can change in a hurry. Depth chart projections get shattered in a flash, the positional merry-go-round begins and Steals of the Draft fade into obscurity.
Take these current Vikings, for example. Some pundits had three starting spots automatically filled with rookies before OTAs began: Trae Waynes at corner, Eric Kendricks at middle linebacker, T.J. Clemmings at right guard. Now, it’s possible that none will come true.
Here are the Draft Class Power Rankings, in this writer’s estimation, as of August 7.
10. B.J. DuBose (6th round)
DuBose has had a quiet camp. The Louisville graduate hasn’t received any criticism that would put him in the Power Rankings basement, but he finds himself in a cramped situation already with a deep defensive line, and a recent injury to his left leg isn’t helping matters.
The Vikings are eight deep on the D-line with starters Brian Robison, Sharrif Floyd, Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen, as well as backups Danielle Hunter, Shamar Stephen, Tom Johnson and Scott Crichton. DuBose will be competing with the more experienced Justin Trattou to snag the ninth spot, assuming nine DLs are kept.
9. Austin Shepherd (7th round)
Shepherd hasn’t exactly been a standout at camp, but unlike DuBose, he’s playing at a position group that lacks certainty. Behind an experienced starting five on the offensive line, there is a whole lot of rawness. The line depth currently consists of Carter Bykowski, David Yankey, Tyrus Thompson and T.J. Clemmings – none of whom have played NFL snaps – with only one veteran: Joe Berger. Shepherd has some work to do to move his way up the depth chart, but at least there’s an open door for him.
8. Edmond Robinson (7th round)
The Vikings like the versatility and athleticism of Robinson, who came out of Division II Newberry. Though the NFL learning curve has provided some challenges, Robinson may possess higher upside than special teamer Michael Mauti, CFL defector Brian Peters or even last year’s seventh-round experiment Brandon Watts. Plus, free agent signee Casey Matthews has already been ruled out for the season with a hip injury. Robinson could be the logical choice for the team’s sixth linebacker.
7. T.J. Clemmings (4th round)
It’s not like Clemmings is tripping over his own feet out there, nor is it his fault that people were penciling him in at right guard, but now that he appears to be a backup in Season 1, his stock has dropped. Clemmings had never played right guard, so the prospect of the Pittsburgh grad fitting there was a long shot anyway. He’s since returned to his natural right tackle position to play behind Phil Loadholt, who enters a contract year in 2016. Clemmings shapes up to be a sensible replacement for Big Phil, whether it’s next year or the year after.
6. Tyrus Thompson (6th round)
While Loadholt would appear to be entrenched at right tackle barring injury, the right guard position could be more of a revolving door. Veteran Mike Harris is starting against Pittsburgh on Sunday and has taken all the first team reps at camp because of his history with Norv Turner in San Diego. Thompson could threaten him with a strong preseason, but it’s not surprising the Vikings prefer veterans at the position tasked with protecting the franchise quarterback.
5. Eric Kendricks (2nd round)
Similarly to Clemmings, Kendricks hasn’t latched onto the starting role most had him pegged for. Fourth-year linebacker Audie Cole is shaping up to start at the “Mike,” but Kendricks has drawn rave reviews for his intelligence and ball skills early in camp. “He gets his hands to a lot of balls, gets in a good football position, understands good angles and those kind of things,” said defensive coordinator George Edwards. Perhaps the Vikings feel like they owe Cole a shot after three years in the shadows, or maybe they prefer his size to Kendricks’. Whether Kendricks starts this year or not, Mike Zimmer has stated they’d like the rookie to eventually move to the weak side – presumably to replace Chad Greenway in 2016.
4. Trae Waynes (1st round)
More than anything, it’s become evident just how solid a player Terence Newman is, which temporarily blocks Waynes from making a huge impact. This wasn’t meant to be a Chris Crocker situation where Zimmer brought in his old pupil to give a few lessons and then leave. Newman’s going to start on the outside.
The Vikings did, however, try Waynes in the nickel while Captain Munnerlyn dealt with a minor injury. It’s not likely Waynes will start Week 1 at San Francisco, but the Vikings are grooming him to be a versatile backup this season. It’s just a matter of how quickly he catches on. “We’re asking him to do a lot of different positions, playing a lot of different coverage,” said Zimmer during OTAs, “but as far as technically, he’s improved in his transition out of breaks quite well. I think he’s starting to understand things better.”
3. MyCole Pruitt (4th round)
Tight ends must love getting drafted by a Norv Turner offense. Turner loves athletic tight ends and utilizes “12” personnel (1 running back, two tight ends) as much as anybody in the league. Pruitt has the best speed of the team’s tight ends, as well as some great hands that caught a conference record 211 balls at Southern Illinois. “He’s got great ball skills,” said tight ends coach Kevin Stefanski. “He ran real fast at the combine, so he’s got some speed, and he’s not 230 pounds — he’s a big man.”
Pruitt is a jack of all trades who can catch, run and lead block. If he’s not the no. 2 tight end this year, he certainly will be in 2016.
2.Danielle Hunter (3rd round)
The vibe surrounding Danielle Hunter has been nothing but positive since camp began. “He’s a lot less raw than we thought,” said Zimmer of the former LSU Tiger. “He’s really been impressive, honestly.” That was the stigma surrounding Hunter after his college career: Raw. Now the buzzword around Hunter is arms. Or, more specifically, his “very, very,” “veiny,” “long” arms, as Zimmer and Everson Griffen expressed. With Zimmer hinting at a defensive end rotation once again, Hunter could be utilized in pass-rushing situations from the start.
1. Stefon Diggs (5th round)
If you had to label a camp MVP, it’s probably Stefon Diggs. While his punt return technique still needs some work, Diggs has made up for it as a receiver by exhibiting incredible hands, concentration and adjustments on the ball. “He runs great routes, has got excellent speed, catches the ball as well as anybody I’ve ever seen,” said Zimmer, who doesn’t think Diggs will be limited to the slot.
With Cordarrelle Patterson a huge question mark and Jarius Wright’s future uncertain after this season, don’t be surprised if Diggs becomes the third most impactful receiver on the Vikings by season’s end.
Photo: Luke Inman (@Luke_Spinman)
Sam Ekstrom is a staff writer for Cold Omaha at 105 The Ticket and a play-by-play broadcaster in Burnsville, Minn. Hear him on 105 The Ticket Sunday mornings from 8-11 a.m. on “The Wake Up Call.” Follow him on Twitter @SamEkstrom for further insights.