The Viking Age
FanSided

Minnesota Vikings Draft 2017: Final rankings and grades – Defense

By Jordan Reid

Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; General view of the Minnesota Vikings logo at midfield during a NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; General view of the Minnesota Vikings logo at midfield during a NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) scores on a pick 6 during the 2nd half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) scores on a pick 6 during the 2nd half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
Prospect Name School Rank Height Weight Round Grade
Malik McDowell
Michigan State 1 6-6 295 1
Jonathan Allen Alabama 2 6-2  286 1
Solomon Thomas Stanford 3 6-2 273 1
Chris Wormley Michigan 4 6-5 302 2
Larry Ogunjobi Charlotte 5 6-2 305 2
Caleb Brantley Florida 6 6-2 307 2-3 (pre-incident)
Jaleel Johnson Iowa 7 6-3 310 3
Dalvin Tomlinson Alabama 8 6-3 310 3
Carlos Watkins Clemson 9 6-3 305 3-4
Nazair Jones North Carolina 10 6-5 295 4
Montravius Adams Auburn 11 6-3 309 4
Davon Godchaux LSU 12 6-4 293 4-5
Elijah Qualls Washington 13 6-1 321 5
D.J. Jones Ole Miss 14 6-0 319 5
Tanzel Smart Tulane 15 6-0 296 5-6

  • Malik McDowell – Michigan State

The ultimate wildcard prospect of the entire draft is McDowell. His final season at Michigan State was one of the most put under the microscope. At times, he looks like a top five prospect, but other times he looks like one who gives low effort.

His performance last season against Notre Dame was one of the best tapes for a defensive lineman in this draft. There are questions about the consistency of his motor and effort.

McDowell’s draft stock is an unknown, as he reportedly didn’t help himself in combine interviews at all. As a player there are many tendencies he must fix. His pad level, and high reliability on spin moves in the interior are two that must improve. Overall, no one knows where McDowell will be drafted, but he is an ultimate “boom or bust” prospect.

Age: 20  (6/20/1996)

NFL Comparison: David Irving

  • Larry Ogunjobi – UNC Charlotte

Leverage. It’s the one word that describes Ogunjobi. He wins at the point of attack by keeping his pad level low and generating constant penetration. Finishing as one of the best run stopping interior lineman in the country, Ogunjobi makes his money by constantly creating havoc, while maintaining great gap discipline against the run.

Not being blessed with an overly long frame, he understands how to use his below average length and has outstanding short area quickness, which enables him to be a disruptive run defender and also be able to push the pocket against the pass.

Age: 22  (6/3/1994)

NFL Comparison: Geno Atkins

  • Jaleel Johnson – Iowa

One of the better one-techniques in this draft is the former Iowa defensive tackle. He excels against the run, where he is a frequent run lane clogger. Johnson’s biggest knock is that he doesn’t create havoc consistently as a pass rusher, but he was the first defensive tackle to lead the Hawkeyes in sacks since Mike Daniels in 2011.

He possesses a plethora of moves, including excellent usage of his hands. He’s constantly disruptive, but he just doesn’t show it down in and down out as much as you would like. His testing at the combine was among the worst out of his entire group, but he is a prospect that has high production, so many scouts may believe the tape outweighs his below average testing.

Age: 22  (7/12/1994)

NFL Comparison: Kawann Short

  • Carlos Watkins – Clemson

Crunched in the middle of a talented Tiger defensive front was Watkins. He didn’t receive the notoriety that many other players received on their national championship winning defense, but he was a key piece of their winning run. Watkins has the nasty attitude and mean streak you love to see in defensive lineman, but the downside to that is that it is known to quickly fizzle out.

He has the athleticism, but you would like to see him use it more consistently as he relies a lot on just strictly that. He’s raw overall as a pass rusher and will need lots of coaching to improve his technique and establish moves that he utilizes to consistently win at the next level.

Age: 23  (12/5/1993)

NFL Comparison: Bennie Logan

Home/Minnesota Vikings News