Minnesota Sports Forum

Pick 37 KJ HAMLER - WR

Overview:
KJ Hamler is one of the most dynamic and electric offensive weapons in the 2020 class. His burst is off-the-charts and he's going to be a difficult cover for NFL defensive backs. He complements his outstanding athleticism with good route running technique and he should have no issues creating separation at the next level. The challenge for Hamler in the NFL is his lack of size which creates restrictions on the field. The physical components of the game will be difficult despite his scrappy mentality and his catch radius is very small. In addition, Hamler's hands need to improve and contested situations will be hard for him to find success in. Hamler has a chance to claim a starting slot receiver role early in his career while also handling punt and kick return duties.

Vikings Outlook:
He would be the guy we would put in motion with 3 WR's on the field and would require the defense to make adjustments on the fly with his quickness and top NFL speed. He shared his GPS readings games in college and compared to the NFL speeds he would have fallen in top 15 players speeds of all last year.
He ran a 4.27 before tweaking his hamstring before the combine.

NFL COMP: Brandin Cooks



A good read on KJ Hamler.
https://www.si.com/college/2019/10/01/penn-state-kj-hamler

bleedspeed177 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

bleedspeed177 wrote:Monster - Gedeon did make it. I should move him to backup MLB. I did have us moving on from Jaleel Johnson. I could do more with the depth chart but thought it would be a good picture of how a draft would impact the roster.


WolvesFan - I am not 100% sure what to think with Hurts. I guess he showed well passing at the combine and he did complete 70% of his passes the last 2 years. I think he is a better passer than Jackson, but not as good as a runner. I wouldn't draft a QB in this draft unless I was trading down. Jordan Love is interesting, but I am not sure he makes it to 22.

Oh Duh sorry I totally missed it. Still I think if he is healthy he is probably higher on the depth chart than you have him. The guy has been a starter even over Wilson the last couple years. If the Vikings move on from Jaleel I think some team would be wise to give up a late round pick to be sure they get him. Decent DT are always cut but I think Jaleel is more than just a space eater. Even if he is just another Shamar type that's a pretty solid guy to have especially depending on your scheme. It will be interesting to see how things play out. Like WR there is going to be a ton of competition at the DT spot. I wonder if Holmes will move outside at all depending on what all they do in the draft etc. it seemed like he did fine his rookie year when he was out there.

As for Hurts I think he is intriguing but I also wonder if he is a fit here in terms of a system. I know you should take a talent not a guy based on system but still I'm not sure I believe in him enough I just take him no matter what. I do think if you are picking in the 2nd round I think Based on my very small research he has the talent I would be interested in taking him...maybe even in this system although I don't know a ton about him. It would be interesting to know what the discussion was when Kubiak and Elway were discussing Younger QBs during their time in Denver.

Jaleel just never produced and PA has dropped hints that he is lazy. That is why I kept him off the team.

The Vikings love Gedeon, but Jordy Brooks is basically a mashup of Eric Wilson and him. He has Wilson's speed with Gedeon's size. Zimmer has played LBs early and he would be a guy we could play and see if we can release Barr in a year or 2.

Interesting stuff on Jaleel. He better not be lazy whenever things start this year or he will he looking for a job. I was listening to Wolfson's latest podcast and he had Weatherly and Ham on there as well as a couple Gophers. Guys are still doing some workouts but nothing like a typical offseason where guys are going to specialized trainers etc. Guys and whoever around them are responsible for staying in shape and being ready. To be honest I know that would be more difficult for me than if I was in some sort of program by the team or a trainer. I think some guys will not do as well and that doesn't mean they are totally lazy but some guys are also going to have more resources available to them as well. It's a really unique situation. Weatherly was a really fun dude to listen to.

Lazy, might not be the correct word, but there was frustration. Paul Allen says things on the radio and they usually are pretty connected. He has talked how he likes KJ Hamler and Bryan Edwards.

I will have to look for that podcast. I can see training being a challenge. I have an awesome setup at home and just can't get it a good workout like I would when I went to the gym. Seeing others around and being somewhere it is the focus helps.

In my eyes you have to justify the resigning of Cousins by giving him better protection and another wr. If Theilen can't stay healthy again who does Cousins throw too? Don't sign a guy and then say it wasn't fair to him becuz he didn't have weapons when he fails. If u make an investment in a player u do what it takes to make him succeed so u don't look like the Texans.

bleedspeed177 wrote:Lazy, might not be the correct word, but there was frustration. Paul Allen says things on the radio and they usually are pretty connected. He has talked how he likes KJ Hamler and Bryan Edwards.

I will have to look for that podcast. I can see training being a challenge. I have an awesome setup at home and just can't get it a good workout like I would when I went to the gym. Seeing others around and being somewhere it is the focus helps.

FWIW a good friend of mine is a psychologist and she believes that there is no such thing as someone being "lazy". There is probably a lot of truth to that stance although I'm not completely on board with it. I do think it's a pretty lazy term that doesn't account for any sort of nuance of possible life circumstances or mental health issues etc.

Anyway I can assume from your report from PA that they want more out of Jaleel and they feel like he isn't maxing out what they feel like he can do. It would be nice to see him break through even if it was just for this season. I'd guess Jaleel's issue is lack of consistency however it is he gets to that point whether it's metal or technique or lack of study etc. It seems like Stephen is here because he does what he is supposed to do all the time with solid results.

FINAL MOCK



I did this with no trades. I tried to focus on needs at CB, OL, DT, DE, & WR

22. Yetur Gross-Matos DE Penn State - Junior - Prospect Grade 6.50
Roster Projection: Starter RDE
6' 5" 266 lbs 34 7/8" Arms
40 Time - NA Bench Press: 20
Long armed DE that would be a great bookend to Danelle Hunter. Excels against the run and needs to work on some more pass rush moves.

25 Kristian Fulton CB LSU - Senior - Prospect Grade 6.29
Roster Projection: Starter CB
6' 0" 197 lbs 30 5/8" Arms
40 Time - 4.46 Vertical - 35.5"
Tall CB that has covered the best of the SEC. Will be our #1 corner day on.

58. Justin Madubuike DT Texas A&M - Junior - Prospect Grade 6.28
Roster Projection: Starter DT
6' 3" 293 lbs 33 1/2" Arms
40 Time - 4.82 Bench Press: 31 Times
Monster DT that will start at 3 technique. Strong and quick.

89. Robert Hunt OT Louisiana - RS Senior - Prospect Grade 6.34
Roster Projection: Starter LG
6' 5" 323 lbs 33 1/2" Arms
40 Time - NA
Big RT/LG is ready to start right away. He is a mauler yet is good in space so he is a zone fit.

105. Cameron Dantzler CB Mississippi State - RS Junior - Prospect Grade 6.26
Roster Projection: Starter CB
6' 2" 188 lbs 30 5/8" Arms
40 Time - 4.38 (pro day) Vertical 34.5"
Had a horrible combine 40 time. Teams didn't bother throwing his direction in the SEC. He would start opposite Fulton and could play nickel too.

132. Cam Akers RB Florida State - Junior - Prospect Grade 6.39
Roster Projection: 3rd String RB
5' 10" 217 lbs 30 5/8"
40 Time - 4.47 Bench Press: 21 Vertical: 34.5"
Bruising back with speed. Average pass catcher. He broke Dalvin Cooks freshman rookie rushing record.

155. Joe Reed WR UVA - Senior - Prospect Grade 5.98
Roster Projection: 3rd WR
6' 0" 224 lbs 31 1/8" Arms
40 Time - 4.47 Bench Press: 21 Vertical: 38"
Do it all WR/KR/RB. He can do the swing pass or get downfield. Good slot option.

201. Alex Taylor OT SC State - RS Senior - Prospect Grade 6.00
Roster Projection: Development LT (practice squad)
6' 8" 308 lbs 36 1/8" Arms
40 Time - 5.02 Bench Press: 21 Vertical: 25"
He is a former basketball player. He will not be a mauler he can be a LT that keeps the QB clean and stays in front of the defense during running plays.

205. Quez Watkins WR Southern Miss - RS Junior - Prospect Grade 5.95
Roster Projection: 5th WR
6' 0" 185 lbs 32 7/8" Arms
40 Time - 4.35 Vertical: 38"
Developing productive WR with size and lots speed. This shows the depth of the draft at WR.

219. Carter Coughlin OLB Minnesota - Senior - Prospect Grade 5.59
Roster Projection: Special Teams & Practice Squad LB
6' 3" 236 lbs 31 3/8" Arms
40 Time - 4.57 (pro day) Vertical - 36"
Was an edge rusher in college and we will see if he can use his speed in coverage.

249. Isaiah Coulter WR Rhode Island - Junior - Prospect Grade 6.0
Roster Projection: Practice Squad WR
6' 2" 198 lbs 31 3/4"
40 Time - 4.45 Vertical 36"
Raw but talented X receiver with NFL-caliber length, speed and athletic ability. He runs a limited route tree and doesn't show enough attention to detail in his route work, but he's loose and fluid with the ability to get that area corrected.

253. Parnell Motley CB Oklahoma - Senior - Prospect Grade 5.43
Roster Projection: Practice Squad CB & Special Teams
6' 0" 180 lbs
40 Time - 4.52 Vertical 30"
He covered #1 from other teams who allowed just 43.4% of the passes thrown his way to be caught. He was heavily tested, seeing 53 targets come his way, and although he didn't have the interception totals of other cornerbacks this year, he truly did limit big plays.

I am curious to watch what happens. My draft focused on rebuilding defense and focusing on 2021/22.