Who is Minnesota Vikings rookie offensive lineman Danny Isidora and what are the positive things and concerns he brings to the team from the Hurricanes?
This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings were serious about upgrading their offensive line. The team spent big money in free agency grabbing two of the best offensive tackles available and spent their 3rd round draft pick to improve the interior of the line.
But the team wasn’t done there. In the 5th round, the Vikings selected guard Danny Isidora from the Miami Hurricanes to provide depth, youth, and competition to the grouping headed into the 2017 season.
We at The Viking Age reached out to Alan Rubenstein from FanSided’s Hurricanes site Canes Warning to find out more about Isidora, his positives and negatives, as well as some inside information on him.
What are some of the positive things that Danny Isidora will bring to the Minnesota Vikings?
“Isidora was a three-year starter who started the last 39 games of his career at Miami. As a Senior he was the most experienced player on the offensive line. He provided experience last season on an offensive line that struggled with consistency,”
Are there any major reasons the team should be concerned about this pick, on or off the field?
“Isidora has been praised for his athleticism and lateral quickness. Most of the postseason observation at the Senior Bowl and on Pro Day have centered around his struggles against the bull rush. There have not been any published off-the-field incidents regarding Isidora.
He has enough talent to become a starter. His game is more suited to run blocking than pass blocking.”
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Overall, what kind of player did the Vikings get in the fifth round by selecting Isidora?
“He is more of an athletic lineman than one that is going to lineup and dominate his opponent through sheer power. For a fifth round pick, the Vikings got a steady, consistent performer that has stayed healthy the last three seasons of his collegiate career.”
What are some things about Isidora that Minnesota fans might not know, but should?
“That he was a three-year starter.”
Do you feel Isidora will succeed at the professional level with the Vikings?
“Isidora is a player that will have to work hard to get where he is. Being a fifth-round pick means it could go either way. His athleticism should play well as a lineman on special teams.”
Next: Vikings 2017 schedule breakdown
Huge thanks to Alan Rubenstein from Canes Warning for taking the time to answer these questions about Danny Isidora. Plus, congratulations go out to the Minnesota Vikings for drafting what sounds like a solid young offensive lineman.