4 Vikings rookies who need to shine most at 2021 minicamp
By Dean Jones
Which Minnesota Vikings players need to shine most when they take the field for rookie minicamp?
With the 2021 NFL Draft firmly in the books, attention has already turned to those selected by the Minnesota Vikings taking the field in an NFL environment for the first time. The eagerly anticipated rookie minicamp will run from May 14-17, feature 11 selections made by those in power, as well as a further 11 undrafted free agents who failed to hear their name called over the three-day period.
This should ensure that the competition is fierce as first-year players look to stamp their authority from the outset. It’s a crucial time of year for some as you only get one chance to make a good first impression, so it’s vital they acclimatize quickly before joining more senior members of the Vikings roster later on this offseason.
Some will be counted upon more than others during the 2021 season. However, those that show out throughout individual and team drills in the weeks and months ahead might see them surge up the depth chart and make surprising contributions from the word go.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at four rookies who need to shine more than most when Minnesota’s minicamp kicks off.
Player No. 1
Janarius Robinson – DE/OLB
The Minnesota Vikings need some additional pass-rushing options opposite Danielle Hunter next season, and they acquired a couple of intriguing options in the draft who could become solid NFL players with a little more refinement. Janarius Robinson falls into this category, and how he performs at rookie minicamp will ultimately answer some questions about what Minnesota can expect from the player in the short and long term.
Robinson might be best suited to being a stand-up rusher from outside linebacker due to his size. The explosiveness was there for all to see during his time at Florida State, where he drew comparisons to Brian Burns, who was taken in the first round by the Carolina Panthers in 2019.
While expecting Robinson to be anything like Burns initially is unrealistic, the prospect does have some likable physical attributes that will be of use on a rotational basis in 2021. Whether that’s what he’ll have to settle for next season remains to be seen, but a strong camp could elevate his status in no uncertain terms.