5 Vikings players who have raised their stock this summer
By Nik Edlund
LB Brian Asamoah
Reactions were a bit mixed when the Minnesota Vikings used a third-round pick on the undersized but speedy linebacker out of Oklahoma. His athletic ability was never questioned but some wondered if he had the size to hold up in the NFL. After watching Asamoah this preseason, those fears should be extinguished.
Asamoah has proven to be a flat-out beast on the field. He is lightning quick and gets to the football so fast it is almost like he’s teleporting. He also is much more physical than his size would indicate, laying big hits and putting his body in harm’s way. He plays the game with extreme aggression and that is a breath of fresh air for a defense that needs an injection of energy.
Asamoah’s stock is definitely shooting up this summer. While he isn’t going to unseat Eric Kendricks or Jordan Hicks in the middle of the Minnesota Vikings’ defense, he definitely should be the next man up if either should get bitten by the injury bug. He will be a core special teamer right out of the gate, and hopefully lays some hits that energize the entire team.