5 players rising up the Vikings draft board after the 2021 Senior Bowl

Grant Stuard – LB (Houston)

Grant Stuard plays linebacker and the Vikings don’t have a huge need there. The team is probably going to lose Eric Wilson in free agency this year, but they have a couple of studs in Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks still on the roster. Minnesota also has Troy Dye returning for year two and some decent depth behind those three.

Where the Vikings could really use a player like Stuard is on special teams. Stuard was flying all over the field during the game on Saturday. He almost had a blocked punt and he was often the first man down the field making the tackle on punts.

The guy has flowing locks and he looks like a wild-man on the field and he plays that way as well. Minnesota’s special teams unit is going to have an overhaul this offseason and Stuard could be a key part of that revamping.

He’d also provide decent depth at linebacker in addition to his primary role as a special teamer. He will likely come off the board sometime on the draft’s third day. It’s unclear where the Vikings would’ve had him ranked prior to the Senior Bowl. But after his performance in the game, his stock is definitely shooting upward.