4 offensive sleepers for the Vikings to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine
By Luke Parrish
Lynn Bowden Jr. – WR (Kentucky)
This was one of the best stories in college football last year. Lynn Bowden Jr. entered the season as Kentucky’s top receiver and a focal point of the offense.
He was a dynamic receiver and an electric kick and punt returner. However, injuries at quarterback put Bowden as the signal-caller for the final eight games of the season. Bowden won six of those final eight games and he carried the Wildcats to a Bowl game victory.
His talent as a ball-carrier was clear as a quarterback. He ran for 1,468 yards, including four games with at least 196 yards on the ground. He had three more games with over 100 rushing yards as well.
The Vikings desperately need a dangerous threat on offense. Their offense stalled far too many times in 2019. When things get difficult, they do not really have someone who can make plays happen from nothing.
Bowden can carry the ball, create after the catch, and bring life in the return game. After the disaster with their returners for Minnesota in 2019, Bowden could be a real option as their return guy in 2020. He averaged 22.1 yards per punt return during his career at Kentucky with two touchdowns.
His lack of film lining up at wide receiver may hurt Bowden a bit in the draft. However, he has a chance to shine in Indianapolis at the Combine this week and prove that he can be a receiver at the pro level.
He needs to show he can run effective routes and run a blazing fast 40-yard dash. Bowden will probably be selected in the middle rounds of this year’s draft and some lucky team will get a steal. Let’s hope it is the Vikings.