5 early contenders to be the Vikings first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Jay Tufele – DT (USC)
As stated previously, the Vikings need to bolster their defense significantly during the 2021 NFL Draft. There isn’t going to be much in the way of financial wiggle room to make any sort of splash during free agency. But they do have enough picks at their disposal to reach for a couple of targets and gamble a little bit more on potential instead of production.
Jay Tufele fits into this category. The USC defensive tackle is seen as a late first-round prospect, but he comes with a substantial amount of upside and an ability to impact the game on a three-down basis.
Tufele’s best asset is rushing the passer from the three-technique. He has a relentless motor that is a nightmare to block and once the prospect fully refines other areas of his game, then someone will have a real player on their hands.
The player bypassed the 2020 season to get ready for the crucial evaluation process amid COVID-19 health concerns. Tufele is a likable character who was loved by teammates and coaching staff alike during his time with the Trojans, so it would be a huge surprise if he didn’t come across well during interviews.
With Michael Pierce returning to Minnesota after opting out in 2020, putting Tufele next to him on the line of scrimmage could improve their fortunes next time around.