Minnesota Vikings full 2016 NFL Draft class
By Adam Carlson
Round 7: S Jayron Kearse, Clemson
Safety was an area of need for the Minnesota Vikings, but it didn’t get addressed until the team was on the clock with their 227th overall pick. Even then, Kearse isn’t the kind of guy that will be a day one starter or possibly even a guy that has a bright future in the NFL.
He’s one of the most raw players in the 2016 NFL Draft but he’s got long limbs and speedy acceleration. He’s not the most instinctual player and he doesn’t have a lot of the techniques down pat, but he should be considered a blank slate for the coaching staff to develop into the kind of player they want in their defense.
Kearse checks a majority of the physical boxes that teams look for in a safety. He’s got the size and ability, but needs to be more physical and aggressive as well as learn to diagnose plays and react quicker. The Clemson safety should be considered a project for the Vikings, but one that could be fun to watch develop.
"“He’s a big guy, but he just doesn’t make many plays. You see him out there just drifting around sometimes and you just wish he had the same attitude and fire that the rest of that defense has because he could be so much better.” – NFC Southeastern scout on NFL.com"
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