Apparently daily, a new simulated draft is released by a semi-credible source, and the interest of the Minnesota Vikings is piqued in 14th position. Minnesota ended 2020 with a record 7-9, allowing the franchise to reach an unusual high in the draft in April of this year.
Senior NFL columnist Pete Prisco of CBS Sports rejected the last significant draft on Tuesday. In this edition, he sends an EDGE / Linebacker to the Vikings – one who is descended from a Nigerian king.
His name is Azeez Ojulari. He is a sophomore linebacker (probably EDGE by the current NFL definition) at the University of Georgia, and his stock is steadily rising.
Prisco said of Ojulari’s attack on the Vikings:
“This team needs to have an explosive tip player to go with Danielle Hunter. Ojulari is that type of player, although he needs to reinforce some in his scheme. “
The automatic conclusion in this mock draft is that Ojulari would be a “reach” selection for Minnesota. This means that it can be kept for later use in the 1st or 2nd round. Otherwise, the Vikings will choose him anyway and will be applauded by non-checkers in draft skill – if Ojulari is phenomenal.
We are far from judging this matter.
In any case, Prisco is a trusted NFL mind – for the most part – and this is yet another simulation sketch that features Vikings getting ready for a pass-rusher.
A 3-4 Scheme EDGE LB – but how are you?
First, the strange part about Prisco de Ojulari’s prognosis to Vikings: Ojulari was presented in Georgia in a 3-4 save. Vikings don’t have one of these. In fact, Mike Zimmer is famous for clinging to his 4-3 scheme, while other NFL teams tend to versions 3-4.
This does not mean that Ojulari cannot be carved out of clay. If the talent is undeniable, Prisco is right, and general manager Rick Spielman enters the Ojulari draw, so this is a total green light.
In a vacuum, however, Ojulari is best used immediately as a pass-rushing linebacker in a 3-4 defense as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used to abuse Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl LV A Zimmer traditionally opts for robust defensive purposes. Ojulari is not overly burly. It is built as a linebacker-linebacker. His height and weight measurements are similar to Tim Tebow’s a decade ago.
It is sad to admit: Ojulari is more of a pass-rusher similar to the Green Bay Packers. He is stylistically reminiscent of Preston Smith.
Vikings usually employ DEs, not LBs at EDGE
Again, the Vikings could snatch Ojulari and take him to stardom. Zimmer is usually considered a defense genius. You shouldn’t be surprised if Zimmer turns Ojulari into a maniac on the pitch.
But in the past decade or so, Vikings have generally avoided the linebackers who attack the passer. Zimmer implements a quick pass with his grandfather’s defensive style. See: Everson Griffen, Brian Robison or Danielle Hunter. The analogy may be a little fragile for Hunter because he could probably get up and play the linebacker cunningly.
Overall, however, Zimmer likes brute force defensive purposes – not those with “LB” next to their names. Do you know how Vikings enthusiasts believe each season that “this will be the year” that Anthony Barr will line up to terrorize the defenders? And then, every year, doesn’t it happen? Think about this when trying to understand why Minnesota doesn’t really employ linebackers as defensive purposes.
Ojulari First no Paye or no Rousseau DE for MIN
The overall conclusion of Prisco’s simulated draft is in the general direction that experts are dragging the Vikings. Experienced NFL minds believe that Minnesota will remedy their recent problems with a high draft choice. 2020 proved that a pair of Ifeadi Odenigbo and Jalyn Holmes may not be the future. Furthermore, Vikings do not have the funds to upgrade through a free agency from a pass-rush standpoint. They can probably find a bargain player, but that theoretical man will not inspire enthusiasm like Kwity Paye, Gregory Rousseau or even Ojulari.
This simulated draft is one of the first that the Vikings caught a “stranger” not called Kwity Paye or Gregory Rousseau on the defensive line. Prisco considers Ojaluri the 58th best candidate in the NFL’s 2021 draft, so this selection is curious.
Be prepared for that. It is simulated recruiting season, and this will not be the last jigsaw to hit the internet with Minnesota choosing someone unknown to the majority.
