Vikings in attendance to watch Supplemental Draft prospect’s workout
By Adam Patrick
The Minnesota Vikings had at least one scout watching the pro day workout of former Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal on Thursday.
Since the franchise was established in 1961, the Minnesota Vikings have added a player from the Supplemental Draft just once. This came in 1988 when the Vikings gave up a 1989 fifth-round draft selection to acquire South Carolina wide receiver Ryan Bethea.
But since then, Minnesota has not selected a player in any other Supplemental Drafts. Could that change this year?
It seems like the Vikings are at least interested in one of the four prospects who are expected to be available when the draft takes place in July.
On Thursday, former Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal held his pro day workout and at least one scout from every NFL team was in attendance to watch. Which means at least one scout from Minnesota was there to watch as well.
Beal is regarded by some as the top prospect available in this year’s Supplemental Draft and a player who could be selected with the highest bid since the Cleveland Browns used a 2013 second-round pick to acquire Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon in 2012.
The young corner’s workout apparently went well on Thursday, at least according to NFL Media’s Gil Brandt.
Official pro day numbers for @WMU_Football CB Sam Beal:
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) June 28, 2018
Height: 6-0 7/8
Weight: 178 (187 in spring)
40: 4.47/4.55
Vertical: 37
Broad: 10-6
Short shuttle: 4.09
3-cone: 7.11
Bench: DNP
Had very good workout. Expected to be highest sup draft pick since Josh Gordon in 2012.
In 10 games at Western Michigan last season, Beal finished with 22 total tackles, 10 pass breakups, and two interceptions.
The corner became ineligible to play for the school in 2018 due to academic reasons, which is why he entered himself into this year’s Supplemental Draft.
It would be a bit of a surprise if the Vikings tried to add Beal to their roster. Their defensive backfield is already pretty stocked full with young talented corners and using a draft pick to add another just does not seem necessary.
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At the same time, Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer does love himself some corners and he said back in April that his defense can never have enough. So with Zimmer leading the way, there is at least a slight chance that Beal could end up with the Vikings.