Vikings draft preview: Search for 'the right guy' at strong safety continues
In the days leading up to the 2016 NFL draft, which runs April 28-30, we will break down where the Vikings stand at each position group on the roster. The Vikings have the 23rd overall pick. Today, we continue the series with a look at the defensive backs.
There’s always room for more young talent at cornerback, but the Vikings should be OK there for now since Trae Waynes, last year’s first-round pick, has been fully groomed to step in whenever Terence Newman’s body finally realizes it’s about to turn 38 in civilian years and about 65 in NFL years.
Safety is another story. Strong safety is the one position that’s been in perpetual patchwork mode since coach Mike Zimmer arrived in 2014. He hasn’t been content with anyone who has played there, although there is high respect for Andrew Sendejo’s effort and toughness. Sendejo gives absolutely everything he’s got, but all he’s got is more suited to being a special teams leader and backup safety.
Free-agent acquisition Michael Griffin, a former first-round pick, could be the answer and should be able to overtake Sendejo, although Andrew doesn’t back away from a fight. But one can’t assume that even Zimmer, the DB Whisperer, can restore Griffin to what he once was. Griffin is 31 and was tailing off in the final years of his career in Tennessee.
The Vikings have other intriguing possibilities as the Vikings search for what Zimmer has called “the right guy” to play next to free safety Harrison Smith. Anthony Harris stepped up as an undrafted rookie a year ago. And Antone Exum Jr. has been the preferred candidate for a while, although he’ll lose that title if the Vikings invest a high pick in a safety this week.
Projected starters: LCB Newman, RCB Xavier Rhodes, SS Griffin, FS Smith; Captain Munnerlyn, nickel back.
Don’t forget about: Exum Jr. It feels like he’s been here longer than two seasons. It feels like more than a year that Zimmer and General Manager Rick Spielman have been pleading for him to step up and be the right guy at strong safety next to Smith. But so far Exum hasn’t grasped the defense and hasn’t stayed healthy. He’s got the frame and physical tools to be a contender for the starting job. But will he ever develop the feel and understanding of the defense?
Level of need: Moderate at cornerback. High at safety.
Five prospects to remember: Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia; Jalen Mills, S, LSU; Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Minnesota; T.J. Green, S, Clemson; Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central.
Our best guess: The need at receiver and the inability to address it in any way in free agency will steer the Vikings in that direction in the first round. But the second round is where the safety market will heat up for the Vikings. There could be some good value there. In his three-round mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. believes the Vikings should take LSU safety Jalen Mills in the second round.