BleedGopher
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per Schad:
With 20 days remaining until the 2020 NFL Draft, mock drafts have continued to flood the internet. As the popularity of “Build Your Own Mock Draft” machines have increased — especially with many confined to their houses — there seems to be a consensus around everyone that has conducted a mock for the Minnesota Vikings.
That is, taking Tyler Johnson in the fourth or fifth round.
Just like Sonny Weaver Jr. was obsessed with Vontae Mack in Draft Day, Vikings fans are enamored in keeping the Minneapolis native at home. Part of that is the numbers he put up in his senior season with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, leading the Big Ten with 86 catches and 1,318 yards while adding 13 touchdowns. It may also be a leftover wave of euphoria since Minnesota’s best season in nearly a century.
But Johnson’s emergence as an NFL Draft prospect coincides with a need for the Vikings heading into the draft. The Vikings jettisoned Stefon Diggs in a trade with Buffalo and even after the signing of Tajae Sharpe, they have just Adam Thielen, Olabisi Johnson and Chad Beebe on the roster.
An influx of talent is needed and as other mocks have chiseled Justin Jefferson in stone, Johnson could be a cheaper alternative later in the draft, allowing the Vikings to spend their early picks on a cornerback or the offensive line. But will he actually be there by the time the Vikings are on the clock? And could he be available much later than many anticipate?
The answer lies in what Johnson does well as a wide receiver. Pro Football Focus gave him the highest receiving grade (92.2) of anyone in this year’s class and his 3.64 yards per route run ranked fifth in the nation among receivers with over 300 snaps.
zonecoverage.com
Go Gophers!!
With 20 days remaining until the 2020 NFL Draft, mock drafts have continued to flood the internet. As the popularity of “Build Your Own Mock Draft” machines have increased — especially with many confined to their houses — there seems to be a consensus around everyone that has conducted a mock for the Minnesota Vikings.
That is, taking Tyler Johnson in the fourth or fifth round.
Just like Sonny Weaver Jr. was obsessed with Vontae Mack in Draft Day, Vikings fans are enamored in keeping the Minneapolis native at home. Part of that is the numbers he put up in his senior season with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, leading the Big Ten with 86 catches and 1,318 yards while adding 13 touchdowns. It may also be a leftover wave of euphoria since Minnesota’s best season in nearly a century.
But Johnson’s emergence as an NFL Draft prospect coincides with a need for the Vikings heading into the draft. The Vikings jettisoned Stefon Diggs in a trade with Buffalo and even after the signing of Tajae Sharpe, they have just Adam Thielen, Olabisi Johnson and Chad Beebe on the roster.
An influx of talent is needed and as other mocks have chiseled Justin Jefferson in stone, Johnson could be a cheaper alternative later in the draft, allowing the Vikings to spend their early picks on a cornerback or the offensive line. But will he actually be there by the time the Vikings are on the clock? And could he be available much later than many anticipate?
The answer lies in what Johnson does well as a wide receiver. Pro Football Focus gave him the highest receiving grade (92.2) of anyone in this year’s class and his 3.64 yards per route run ranked fifth in the nation among receivers with over 300 snaps.
Should the Vikings Take a Chance on Tyler Johnson? - Zone Coverage
Zone Coverage's Chris Schad examines why it might be a good idea for the Minnesota Vikings to draft hometown product Tyler Johnson.
zonecoverage.com
Go Gophers!!
