Which college prospects with boom-or-bust potential might the Minnesota Vikings gamble on during the 2021 NFL Draft?
It’s been a frenzied period of free agency activity from the Minnesota Vikings this year. Despite having little in the way of financial resources at their disposal heading into the offseason, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has once again worked his magic to give the team a fighting chance of making a return to the playoffs next season after missing out in 2020.
Minnesota’s primary focus has been improving from a defensive standpoint, which is understandable considering how much they struggled in this area last time out. The likes of Patrick Peterson, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Mackensie Alexander are huge additions, with the impending returns of defensive line duo Michael Pierce and Danielle Hunter being another significant positive that shouldn’t be overlooked.
With plenty of 2021 NFL Draft picks at their disposal, things might be looking up for the Vikings during a critical campaign for head coach Mike Zimmer. If Minnesota can get the majority of their selections right, then a place in the playoffs won’t be far behind.
With this in mind, who are some of the boom-or-bust prospects the Vikings might gamble on over the all-important draft weekend next month?
Gregory Rousseau – DE (Miami)
Although there is a lot to like about the physical attributes Gregory Rousseau brings to the table, the Vikings might want to think twice about taking him at No. 14 overall.
He has plenty of work to do from a technical standpoint. Once the defensive end gets to the next level, and considering how Minnesota needs immediate assistance from their first-rounder, this is an obvious red flag.
However, if Rousseau has been working on this over the last year after opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 health concerns, then there is a real chance the Miami star could hit the ground running.
He showed up to the Senior Bowl in tremendous shape without taking part, but nobody will know for sure just how much the prospect has developed until he gets to camp.
Simply put, it could go either way where Rousseau is concerned, and unless the Vikings trade back, the edge rusher would be a reach.
Caleb Farley – CB (Virginia Tech)
There is just no telling how good Caleb Farley is going to be as an NFL cornerback. The impact he made at Virginia Tech in 2019 was eye-catching and his physical attributes might see him taken in the top-10 if another team becomes enamored with the player.
If he falls to the Vikings, it would be a luxury pick. They spent two draft selections last year on Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler – who showed plenty of promise during their rookie campaigns – with All-Pro Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander also arriving in free agency to further strengthen the unit.
Farley has all the tools needed and may get even better when one considers his lack of experience at the position after transitioning from a wide receiver in college. However, there are some injury red flags to consider before any team takes the plunge.
The corner is expected to be back for training camp after an upcoming microdiscectomy procedure, which follows on from a torn ACL in 2017 and missing two games with back spasms in 2019. Considering how high Farley is expected to be drafted, this is a situation that warrants more than a second look from any interested parties.
As for the Vikings, they have more pressing needs than cornerback after being active in free agency bolstering their options in this area and they should give Farley a wide berth.
Jayson Oweh – DE/OLB (Penn State)
Plenty of 2021 NFL Draft prospects are enhancing their stock at various pro days up and down the country. Jayson Oweh fell into this particular category thanks in no small part to a jaw-dropping 40-yard dash time for a player his size. But the Vikings should approach the former Penn State standout with caution before deciding to pull the trigger.
Oweh may have outstanding physical traits to serve him well in the pros. However, there is a lot for the prospect to work on and he is coming off a season where he failed to record a single sack for the Nittany Lions in 2020.
His five sacks playing opposite Yetur Gross-Matos in 2019 – who was drafted by the Carolina Panthers at No. 38 overall last year – was the highest number of his three-year college career and there is also the riddle of just where Oweh is best suited to play in the NFL.
Many experts are projecting him to be a stand-up edge rusher in a 3-4 base scheme, while others expect him to operate as a 4-3 defensive end. While this versatility is helpful for some, it can also bring some complications during their transition.
Much will depend on where Oweh gets drafted. The Vikings have a pressing need for another option opposite stud pass-rusher Danielle Hunter, but they would be taking a considerable gamble if they chose to go in this particular direction.
Mac Jones – QB (Alabama)
There is little disputing the fact that Mac Jones is one of the more polarizing NFL Draft prospects entering the league this year. The former Alabama standout enjoyed a phenomenal 2020 season where he emerged out of Tua Tagovailoa’s shadow en route to yet another National Championship for the Crimson Tide. However, many are skeptical about whether he can become a starting-caliber quarterback at the next level.
Jones is never going to blow anyone away with elite quickness and mobility, that’s not his game. He is a smooth pocket passer who possesses accurate distribution and intelligence that already appears NFL-ready, so once the top-four prospects are off the board, then his name will likely be the next called for players at the position.
The Vikings currently have Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback, who played well in 2020 following the bye week despite what some who have it out for him would have you believe. But with just two years remaining on his deal, the time might be upon the front office to start looking at a potential replacement down the line.
Getting quarterbacks that develop over time hasn’t been successful for Minnesota of late. So even though they have more pressing priorities, the chances of them picking this high next year are slim.
4 mid-round draft prospects the Vikings could steal in 2021
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Jones is a feast or famine proposition for any team, of that there is little doubt. If the Vikings end up taking the signal-caller, let him learn behind Cousins until his time comes, it could be the making of him.