Former NFL DB Pegs Vikings as Best Fit for Dynamic College Safety..
The NFL Draft is less than a month away, and the Minnesota Vikings have so many options. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s big free agency moves have the roster in a great spot before rookies arrive. However, they don’t even need to make a pick in the first round. The Vikings have a major lack of draft capital, and trading out of the first round could recoup some of those picks.
Kevin O’Connell is categorically an offensive-minded head coach, and one of the best in the NFL. He also employs Brian Flores, who is among the best defensive coaches around. After addressing both sides of the ball in free agency, there isn’t any specific glaring weakness, which means that Minnesota could opt for the best player available, regardless of position.
Former NFL defensive back Matt Bowen is now an analyst at ESPN. His seven year career had him lining up in multiple secondary spots, and that’s something he may find intriguing about Flores’ scheme flexibility. When trying to tab a perfect fit for Minnesota, he chose someone in that like him, owns the secondary.
Nick Emmanwori an ideal fit for the Minnesota Vikings
The safety position is one where the Minnesota Vikings have a level of current, and future, uncertainty. The ageless Harrison Smith is back for his 14th season, but he’ll have to eventually hang up the cleats. Last years starting free safety Cam Bynum left for Indianapolis. Which leaves Metellus, and Theo Jackson, who signed an extension.
No amount of current talent on the Vikings roster stopped Bowen from salivating over the thought of Nick Emmanwori coming to Minnesota. He loves the physical traits of the player, and how he would work in Brian Flores’ defense.
“Emmanwori has great size, 4.38 speed and rare physical tools, so he’d be able to play a disruptive role in Brian Flores’ defense, which is built on creating chaos. Emmanwori has the split-field range to play top-down in Cover 2, plus he can spin down to play an enforcer role in the underneath zones. And with the ability to match tight ends in coverage or create pressure out of Flores’ multiple blitz packages, Emmanwori would be in a position to make splash plays as a rookie. He had four picks last season, and he returned two for TDs.”
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If the Vikings are going to stick and pick at 24th overall, then a talent like Emmanwori would represent good value. The former South Carolina safety has 37 games of college experience, and truly balled out as a senior. His 88 tackles were a career-best and he also grabbed three behind the line of scrimmage. Emmanwori also picked off four passes last season, and he housed two of them.
Similar to Metellus, Emmanwori would give Flores a talent that could wreak havoc all over the field. He doesn’t need to stay stuck in the traditional deep back role, and possesses the athleticism to assert his presence in various scenarios.
The curious part here is depth. Minnesota has been steadfast in their belief that Jackson is a starting safety and ready to go. If that’s the case, there’s might be no immediate role for Emmanwori. Similar to Dallas Turner a season ago, it would be difficult to see an impact pick used on a guy that ultimately sits on the sidelines.
If a safety was the best value at 24, then the Minnesota Vikings are probably better off dealing the pick and stacking assets. Some mock drafts haven’t considered it a position, and it would probably create a surplus instead of addressing an actual current need. However, if Brian Flores thinks that a pick at safety is worth it, we should probably trust him.
Don’t rule out secondary help for MN Vikings
Though choosing a safety might seem curious, Minnesota shouldn’t overlook the need for secondary help at a different position. Byron Murphy Jr. is back to start at one cornerback spot, but he could certainly use more help. Isaiah Rodgers is a fine addition, but former No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah doesn’t move the needle.
The Vikings lost both Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin from their starting defensive alignment last season. That meant the cornerback room was all but barren heading into free agency. They have addressed it so far, but adding another high-ceiling option makes a lot of sense.
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Texas’ CB Jahdae Barron is another guy who could bolster the Minnesota Vikings’ secondary as a versatile and dynamic addition. His skill set aligns well with the team’s needs, particularly in a defensive scheme that thrives on flexibility under coordinator Brian Flores. Barron played in 57 college games and led the SEC with five interceptions last season. The All-American has played at an incredibly high level and could be long gone by the time Minnesota is on the clock.
If he’s still around, or someone like him at the cornerback position, then Adofo-Mensah would need to seriously consider adding on defense.
