5 candidates to be the Vikings third starting linebacker in 2021
By Adam Carlson
Chazz Surratt
If the Minnesota Vikings can look past experience and instead want to focus on potential, Chazz Surratt could open some eyes during training camp and preseason and force himself into the starting lineup.
Surratt was a third-round selection of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2021 NFL Draft. While at North Carolina, he turned some heads thanks to a great combination of playing sideline to sideline football and dropping back into coverage well.
Between the 24 games played during this 2019 and 2020 campaign, he racked up 206 combined tackles with 22.5 of those being for a loss and 12.5 resulting in sacks. When you add in the five pass defenses and two interceptions, you have a complete performance on the college level.
As with all rookies, it is hard to know how long they will take to develop and how they will adjust to the NFL level. If Chazz Surratt can come along quickly and use his speed and athleticism well, he has the potential to be a day-one starter.