Vikings Day 3 NFL Draft selection can make immediate impact with specific role in Brian Flores' defense
The Minnesota Vikings entered day three with only two picks, but they made the most out of them. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah turned picks 139 and 142 into three NFL Draft picks and a trade for their backup quarterback, acquiring Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks. The maneuvering from Adofo-Mensah was brilliant in more ways […]
The Minnesota Vikings entered day three with only two picks, but they made the most out of them. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah turned picks 139 and 142 into three NFL Draft picks and a trade for their backup quarterback, acquiring Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks.
The maneuvering from Adofo-Mensah was brilliant in more ways than one. They needed a backup quarterback and got one that is young, has a good skillset for a backup, and they didn't have to give up a draft pick for. Plus, they got a couple of interesting pieces with the first coming at the top of the fifth round.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins can be a weapon for Vikings DC Brian Flores
The first pick for the Vikings on day three was one of their 30 visits in Georgia defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. He was one of four Bulldogs to visit the Vikings and the second player to be drafted after having visited.
He's somewhat of a tweener at 6'5 and 275 lbs, but the athleticism for his size is tremendous. The big thing is that he needs to figure out how to harness his ability, because Ingram-Dawkins isn't all the way there yet.
The big thing about selecting a player like Ingram-Dawkins is having a plan to both utilize and develop him. The Vikings seem to have a vision with his development, as Senior VP of Player Personnel Ryan Grigson highlighted after his selection.
"You have to be able to play the run for Flo. But, he's going to utilize and adapt to a player's best traits. The body type itself isn't always easy to come by because he can use that length not only on the edge, and he does have speed off the edge for a guy who is 280 lbs, but you bring him inside, and it's hard a lot of times for the bulk of guards in the NFL to athletically match what he can do athletically as a rusher. You have to deal with his length, his bend, his upfield speed, and his power and punch in his hands. We think he can be a handful inside, and running games and twists is another component Flo could utilize him with and get the best out of him. We feel like he's above the line in a lot of the areas that are a requirement at multiple spots."
Reading between the lines, Grigson is highlighting a role that is similar to the one that Jihad Ward had last year. He was an edge rusher, but weighed 285 lbs. With the NASCAR package the Vikings liked to use last year, they would put Ward in at nose tackle to gain an element of quickness on the interior. That's exactly what Ingram-Dawkins brings to the Vikings. He can be everywhere on the defensive front, which is incredibly intriguing.
Now, none of this means that Ingram-Dawkins is going to work out. He is a fifth-round pick. However, good coaching should be able to turn him into a very servicable player for years to come.
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