The Viking Age
FanSided

5 prospects the Vikings hope fall to the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft

By Nik Edlund

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Jayson Oweh #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 16, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Jayson Oweh #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 16, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) Jay Tufele /

Jay Tufele – DT (USC)

Defensive tackle isn’t a huge need for the Vikings following the signing of Dalvin Tomlinson but the concern now is the depth behind him. The Vikings have to have that interior pressure to make Mike Zimmer’s defense work and if Tomlinson were to miss time with an injury, there isn’t any other defensive tackle on the roster who could be counted on to provide it.

Tufele is exactly what the Vikings what out of the three-technique defensive tackle position. He’s dynamite off the snap with a quick burst and plenty of power to drive through blockers.

Tufele is a high-energy player who gives it his all snap after snap and keeps fighting until the play is over. He’s also a stout run defender who has long arms to wrap up defenders and get off blocks.

The biggest knock on Tufele is his overall lack of experience. He’s only started 18 games and then opted out of the 2020 season. This could be the reason he falls down the board on draft day and lands in an ideal situation in Minnesota.

He can be worked in the rotation slowly as he learns from Andre Patterson, and then can take over for Tomlinson when his two years are up.

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