Raequan Williams – DT (Michigan State)
In 2019, the Vikings rolled with Linval Joseph and Shamar Stephen as their starting defensive tackles. They are both great run stuffers and can eat up blocks that free up the linebackers. They don’t, however, provide much interior pressure.
Minnesota doesn’t have a true three-technique defensive tackle on the roster. Rookie Armon Watts was probably the closest thing to that this season and while he was impressive at times, it’s unclear if he’ll actually develop into a starter. So the Vikings should be in the market for an interior penetrator during the 2020 NFL Draft.
A guy who fits that mold who’ll be playing in the East-West Shrine Bowl is Raequan Williams of Michigan State. He’s a big and powerful beast who can burst through the line and blow up the timing of plays.
Williams has violent hands that he uses to fight off blockers and get to the ball carrier. He does have some issues, primarily when he sometimes comes off the ball too high. That puts blockers right in his gullet and neutralizes his effectiveness as a pass rusher.
There is plenty to like about Williams and if he can work with a defensive line coach like Minnesota’s Andre Patterson who can get him to play with better leverage, he could be a real factor as a rookie.