5 defensive prospects for the Vikings to watch at the 2021 Senior Bowl
By Nik Edlund
Shaka Toney – DE (Penn State)
Like the safety position, the Vikings should also be drafting multiple pass rushers in 2021. Their depth behind Danielle Hunter is shaky at best and they should be having an open competition for their other starting defensive end spot.
One guy who should come off the board smack dab in the middle of this year’s NFL Draft is former Penn State defensive end Shaka Toney.
Toney is a little undersized at 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds, but that didn’t slow him down during his four-year career with the Nittany Lions.
Toney was the definition of “consistent” in college as he averaged five sacks per season. He does it with a non-stop motor and impressive quickness. Toney is tenacious and he never gives up on a play, going until the whistle blows or the quarterback is on the ground.
Toney would be a great fit on Minnesota’s defensive line and they could ease him in as a situational pass-rusher in 2021. His explosion and tenacity would be a breath of fresh air and it would be reminiscent of a similar-sized Everson Griffen during his prime years with the Vikings.
Toney is probably a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick this year. Minnesota has plenty of selections in that area and they should watch this cat closely to see if he’s worth drafting.