What the Vikings can expect from new LB Chazz Surratt in 2021

Oct 5, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Chazz Surratt (21) tackles Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback James Graham (4) in the first half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Chazz Surratt (21) tackles Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback James Graham (4) in the first half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
3 of 4
Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports) Chazz Surratt

The Bad

Smaller frame

For his aggressiveness and instincts, Chazz Surratt plays like a big dog when his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame doesn’t give him the appearance of that type of player. On a first scan, he might look like he’d be better suited to play safety, but his skill set fits him better for playing linebacker.

While it would be nice to see him as a thumper, the way he is able to maneuver around the field might be impacted by adding about 25 more pounds of mass. It’s a tough balancing act for some NFL players.

A lack of experience

Only having two years as a college linebacker means there is a lot of room to grow and develop, but also means he will probably be taking a lot of lumps at the NFL level. The coaching staff will need to be patient with him as he comes along.

That also means his ability to calculate angles of pursuit and project angles might not be instinctual yet. He can put himself in bad positions due to the lack of experience, taking himself out of a play at times.

Schedule