The Viking Age
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Minnesota Vikings 2016 rookie review: How did they do?

By Adam Patrick

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Laquon Treadwell (Mississippi) after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the number twenty-three overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Laquon Treadwell (Mississippi) after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the number twenty-three overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Jayron Kearse (27) recovers a fumble in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Jayron Kearse (27) recovers a fumble in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Jayron Kearse, safety

Despite being one of two rookies to start a game for the Vikings in 2016 (Treadwell started in the Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Detroit Lions), Kearse’s future on the roster is still a bit of a mystery. At 6’4 and 220 pounds, he has the size to matchup well with some of NFL’s biggest receivers today. But his coverage and tackling abilities are still a bit lacking.

His inexperience reared its ugly head during Minnesota’s game against the Chicago Bears back in Week 8. Kearse took a bad angle when trying to make a tackle and it led to a 69-yard gain by Bears running back Jordan Howard.

Those are the types of mistakes that have to be fixed if the safety has any hopes of becoming a starter on the Vikings’ roster in the near future. The best case scenario for Kearse is likely another year as a backup and then an opportunity to start on the team’s defense in 2018.

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