Minnesota Vikings 2017 NFL draft recap with grades and analysis
By Jordan Reid
"With the 120th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select Ben Gedeon, linebacker, Michigan."
This off-season the Minnesota Vikings lost Audie Cole to the Jacksonville Jaguars and long-time legend Chad Greenway. With massive holes at outside linebacker, the position needed to be addressed. Emmanuel Lamur was the only reliable starter left on the roster, and depth was an issue.
Spielman took a leap of faith selecting former Michigan linebacker Ben Gedeon. Only a one-year starter at Michigan, Gedeon played primarily middle (MIKE) linebacker. Patrolling the middle of Jim Harbaugh’s defense, he had a lot of responsibilities and he proved to be up to the task.
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Gedeon is an above average athlete with good instincts. He is a linebacker that trust what he sees in front of him and attacks it. He is a terrific downhill player, with natural tackling ability.
His coverage skills are below average, and his struggles were apparent on film. They’re not completely awful, but its something that’s going to keep him as strictly a Mike LB.
Where Gedeon’s value will come from early on is special teams. Despite only starting his last season in Ann Arbor, he was a routine performer on all special teams units for four years.
The selection of Gedeon was a round or two earlier than you would have, but overall it wasn’t bad. His responsibility will be strictly to fill the Audie Cole void. He will come on and provide depth at LB and on every special teams unit, which is very important.