Vikings hosting dominant trench player on top 30 visit, primed to be a target with a trade down
The players that the Minnesota Vikings are bringing in for their top 30 visits are starting to leak out and we are starting to see what the Vikings are trying to learn. The latest player is Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea, according to The Draft Network's Ryan Fowler. Vikings hosting Arizona OL Jonah Savaiinaea on […]
The players that the Minnesota Vikings are bringing in for their top 30 visits are starting to leak out and we are starting to see what the Vikings are trying to learn. The latest player is Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea, according to The Draft Network's Ryan Fowler.
Vikings hosting Arizona OL Jonah Savaiinaea on a top 30 visit
The Vikings will be hosting 30 different players plus local players who don't count toward that total. The list is relatively small so far.
- Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona
- Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
- Jacob Bayer, C, Arkansas State
- Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
- Zion Childress, DB, Kentucky
- Jalen Travis, OL, Iowa State
Only one of those players is from a group of five school, which is noteworthy considering general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's NFL Draft history. It also means that the Vikings will likely take one of those players or a teammate of theirs.
The latest addition being Savaiinaea, who our own AJ Schulte wrote about in his draft profile.
I enjoyed Jonah Savaiinaea's tape, but it was evident early on that his best position for the next level is inside at guard. While there are things that can suggest he could play tackle at the next level, it's not ideally suited for him and wouldn't be where he is best at.
However, there's a quality starter in Jonah Savaiinaea, in my opinion. I'm optimistic about his growth year over year, and his hand placement, play strength, frame, and awareness give him a great floor as an NFL offensive lineman.
Savaiinaea played mostly tackle in his career at Arizona, but the profile does fit better at guard, as his power is excellent. Schulte even compared him to New England Patriots guard Michael Onwenu, who is a guard/tackle hybrid. That could be a huge benefit to the Vikings.
Savaiinaea likely wouldn't be a target for the Vikings in the first round, but they could very well target him in round two or three with a trade down.
However, don't be surprised if the Vikings are bringing in Savaiinaea and Croskey-Merritt to potentially scout wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
If Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan falls to the Vikings, they should recreate three-deep with Justin Jefferson
Everybody loves three deep and the Vikings could recreate it
Vikings NFL Draft History: Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s past decisions in Round 1 leave plenty of breadcrumbs for future picks
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s process has evolved through the first three seasons as general manager
