Vikings Combine Review: Five Players Who Got More Interesting

Feb 24, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Justin Hunter runs with the ball during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The combine is in the books. Some guys helped themselves and some guys didn’t. Let’s look at five potential Vikings draft targets who got more interesting over the last few days.

Zaviar Gooden, OLB, Missouri

Gooden had a hamstring problem during his senior year at Missouri. So he had plenty to prove at the combine. He went out and demonstrated that, with his hammy at full strength, he is a terrific athlete. He led all linebackers in 40 time, three-cone drill, short shuttle and long shuttle. He was projected as a 3rd/4th round pick going in but his stock could be rising. He’s a bit of a project but there’s no doubting the talent. The Vikes might look at this guy in the late 2nd.

Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

We already talked about Trufant. This guy is rising into mid-1st territory coming off a great Senior Bowl and great combine. There were questions about his speed but he put those to rest with his 40 times. There may still be questions about his physicality but sometimes guys get a reputation in that area and then they hit the pros and it proves to be false.

Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M

Posted a 4.34 40 at the combine, tying Tavon Austin for second-fastest. Might not be a classic outside receiver at 6-foot but he’s got the quicks, the hands and the toughness to work the middle. He’s gaining comparisons to Eric Decker. If the Vikes don’t go receiver early, maybe they pick this guy up in the 3rd.

Sio Moore, LB, Connecticut

While we’re talking about linebackers, let’s talk about Sio Moore. NFL Draft Zone believes this guy could be a “surprise” first rounder after a terrific combine.

"Always a guy that flashed on film, and produced at UConn, Sio had to take the big stage by storm and show he belonged with the big boys at LB. And he did just that. Moore topped all linebackers in the bench press with 29 reps, logged a 4.65 in the 40 yard dash, and completed the 3-Cone drill in 4.31 seconds."

He certainly turned in a better performance than that guy from Notre Dame.

Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

We haven’t discussed this guy very much. He was downgraded after a 2012 ACL tear but after his great combine performance he’s inching back up into the first round on draft boards. He ran the 40 in 4.44, posted a 39 1/2 in the vertical and an 11-foot-4 broad jump. And he’s 6-4 by the way.

Like The Viking Age on Facebook.
Follow Dan Zinski on Twitter.
Get the all-new FanSided iPhone app.
Subsribe to the Fansided Daily Newsletter. Sports news all up in your inbox.