The Viking Age
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Vikings Draft 2019: A second-round option for each position of need

By Nik Edlund

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Reggie Hemphill-Mapps #17 of the Texas Longhorns is tackled by Darnell Savage Jr. #4 of the Maryland Terrapins in the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Reggie Hemphill-Mapps #17 of the Texas Longhorns is tackled by Darnell Savage Jr. #4 of the Maryland Terrapins in the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) Elgton Jenkins
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) Elgton Jenkins /

Elgton Jenkins – G/C (Mississippi State)

If the Minnesota Vikings address a position other than the offensive line in round one, then the best interior prospect they could see on the board in round two, would be this versatile big man from Mississippi State.

Jenkins is a load standing 6-foot-4 and tipping the scales at 310 pounds. He has a nice long wingspan and is a smart, cerebral blocker, who creates a low and powerful base that is hard for defenders to get around. Jenkins is very powerful and tossed up 225 pounds nearly 30 times at the 2019 combine. When he gets his hands on his man they aren’t going any further and it’s game over.

The biggest plus and one that teams will find very attractive is his versatility. Jenkins played guard, center and both tackle positions at Mississippi State. That’s huge, especially for a team like the Vikings who are thin all across their offensive line and can use these types of swing blockers when the injury bug bites. For Jenkins to be able to play more than one position bodes very well for him and that will help get him drafted sooner than later.

Jenkins does have some issues with his game. He is by no means a mauler. He is more of a latching type of blocker. If he engages his man they aren’t getting past him, but you rarely see Jenkins knock his man on the ground.

He also isn’t a great overall athlete and may have issues playing guard in the pros, as he just doesn’t have the speed to turn and lead a play outside. So he could end up at center or tackle at the next level, and if the Vikings took him, they’d likely put him at center and swing Elflein out to guard.

Elgton is projected to go somewhere in the second half of the second round, so pick No. 50 to Minnesota could be a little rich for him. That being said, he very well could be the best option the team sees at an interior offensive lineman in round two, and with the line of the Vikings being what it currently is, he should be in the mix to start as a rookie.

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