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

Jeffery Simmons – DT (Mississippi State)

Jeffery Simmons is an interesting prospect. Talent wise this guy should be a top 15 pick. He is the absolute definition of a disruptor. Simmons is extremely quick off the snap and can either bull rush his man using his immense power, or use his hands and upper body strength to throw him off, and then get to the backfield.

Simmons isn’t just a disruptor though, he’s also very good versus the run game. He uses his long arms to keep his blocker off him and then works his way through the trash to find the ball carrier and closes in quickly.

The Vikings lost Sheldon Richardson in free agency this year and Simmons would be the perfect replacement. He could come in and line up next to Linval Joseph with the one goal of creating havoc to opposing offenses and blowing up their timing.

There are a couple of issues with Simmons that could allow him to be available in the second round this year. First of all, is his injury. While training for the combine back in early February, Simmons tore his ACL.

He did make it to Mississippi State’s Pro Day and was able to be measured and met with teams. His availability for the 2019 season is in question though and that won’t help his draft stock.

Every year we see players fall in the draft because of injuries. Even if it’s an injury that they can recover from, teams shy away like the player has the plague.

Secondly, Simmons was arrested for domestic violence in his past. When he was a senior in high school he was trying to break up a fight between his sister and another woman and he struck the woman multiple times.

In a league that is trying to clean up its image, and hold its players responsible for their actions, this isn’t good. Simmons has shown remorse and has since stayed out of trouble, so maybe it’s an isolated incident that he’s learned from.

Like stated previously, Simmons on the field is easily a top 10 talent. He’s unblockable at times and will be a huge asset for a team that runs a 4-3 front and needs a penetrator.

His injury and his off-the-field issues will negatively affect his stock, to the point where he could be available when the Vikings are on the clock at pick No. 50. If he is, then Minnesota could take him and let him heal up for the better part of the season, before unleashing the beast in 2020.