The NFL draft is known for being a crapshoot. Despite countless hours of scouting and interviews, teams never know exactly what they have until players play in real NFL games. So Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has to feel proud that his 2019 draft class has been a major contribution to the team’s 9-4 record. Despite only one opening-day starter from the class, several picks have played significant snaps and helped compliment a veteran-heavy team that is in the thick of the NFC playoff race.
Strong Rookie Draft Class Has Stabilized the Minnesota Vikings
The Can’t-Miss Prospect
With the 18th overall pick in the draft, the Vikings didn’t get fancy. They drafted North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury and he immediately entered the starting lineup. Despite a rough start to his professional career, his play has improved as the season has unfolded. He has helped keep quarterback Kirk Cousins off of the ground, as Cousins has been sacked only 21 times this season as opposed to 40 times during the 2018 season.
Bradbury’s strength is still run blocking. His ability to move down the line laterally in the team’s zone-blocking scheme has helped pave the way for the league’s fourth-ranked rushing offense. Combine that with his ability to stay on the field all 13 games and Bradbury’s future is bright in Minnesota.
The Unexpected Starter
Inserting a first-round pick into the starting lineup is expected in the NFL. Inserting a seventh-round pick into the starting lineup for an extended time is another. That’s where the 247th overall pick in the draft finds himself. Wide receiver Olabisi Johnson has been lining up opposite star wideout Stefon Diggs since the Vikings’ other star receiver, Adam Thielen, suffered a hamstring injury in Week 8. While unable to replicate Thielen’s explosiveness, Johnson has regularly put himself in places he can succeed. He has caught 26 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns.
One of those touchdowns came on his lone reception last Sunday against the Lions. Johnson worked his way across the field before leaping to make a spectacular reception in the endzone. With Thielen expected to come back this Sunday, Johnson’s snaps will decrease, but he should still see a role as the team’s No. 3 receiver down the stretch.
The Weekly Contributors
Minnesota’s use of heavy personnel throughout the year has led to the use of multiple tight ends on the field at once. With veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph still producing with six touchdown receptions, second-round rookie Irv Smith, the youngest player in the NFL, has carved out a role as the second tight end. While he has only one touchdown so far, he is fourth on the team with 31 receptions for 288 yards.
Third-round running back Alexander Mattison backs up Dalvin Cook. While Cook gets the accolades, Mattison provides depth on the ground and through the air. With 462 yards rushing and an additional 82 receiving, Mattison has proven he can get the job done when the offense’s best player is on the sideline. A spectator may even mistake Mattison for Cook because the two backs’ running styles are similar (although Mattison has taken a liking for hurdling defenders).
The other players to see consistent snaps are sixth-round defensive tackle Armon Watts (who deflected a Russell Wilson pass that resulted in a bizarre Vikings touchdown), seventh-round cornerback and special teams gunner Kris Boyd, and long-snapper Austin Cutting. Head coach Mike Zimmer praised Watts after the team’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks and special teams coordinator Marwan Maalouf recently took time on the Vikings X’s and O’s radio show to praise both Boyd and Cutting for their roles as well in bringing stability to the special teams. Since Zimmer became head coach in 2014, players have been able to work their way into the starting lineup after beginning their careers on special teams.
The Future is Bright for Vikings Draft Class
The Vikings have a promising rookie class doing more than just supplementing their veteran counterparts. If Minnesota wants to make a playoff push, they’ll need their rookies to continue their impressive play. The margin for error will be small, but if this season has proven anything, it is that no moment is too big for these rookies.
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