Vikings Draft 2021: Four-round risk-reward mock draft
By Luke Parrish
Fourth Round (Pick No. 134)
Jamien Sherwood – S (Auburn)
When the Vikings added Xavier Woods in free agency, it was not a move that should have left fans pleased with the state of the secondary. Woods is a good player with a lot of speed and range, but he is not someone I would trust as the clear starter heading into the season. The team needs to bring in competition to find the next suitor next to Harrison Smith.
Jamien Sherwood is not getting a ton of attention this year despite a relatively quiet safety class, but he has a lot to like. He has the longest arms of any defensive back in the last 15 years, measuring at 34 inches. His length and size will make him a fun weapon if used properly in the defense, similar to how Minnesota used Jayron Kearse a few years back.
Pass coverage is not going to be in Sherwood’s favor in the NFL. He lacks the lateral agility and deep speed to be a coverage safety and is not polished in coverage to be trusted against tight ends right away. However, his length will help him match up with tight ends and make up for some of his athletic concerns.
He only snagged one interception at Auburn but will make a name for himself as a run-stopping safety with some pop. If the Vikings want to run three safeties and let Woods play deep with Smith and Sherwood playing closer to the line, they could have some fun. That’s unlikely, but it would fit what Sherwood brings to the table as a late safety option.