Minnesota Sports Forum

* Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (6-foot-2, 304 pounds) tore up one-on-one pass-rush drills during Tuesday's practice. Rankins has the quicks off the ball, the counter moves to disengage and the grown-man power to win consistently up front. This is a guy with first-round talent and the scheme flexibility to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 front. (Would add great depth)

* North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz has lived up to the hype. With a big frame for the position (6-foot-5, 233 pounds), solid footwork in the pocket and legit arm strength, Wentz can sling the ball all over the field. He's for real. A first-round prospect who can throw the deep out and comeback all day.

* Oklahoma wide receiver Sterling Shepard (5-foot-10, 193 pounds) doesn't have elite, top-end speed, but his stop-and-go ability is ridiculous. Shepard is super quick coming out of his breaks, and he will earn his money working out of the slot at the next level.

* Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland is a prime fit at the ILB position in a 3-4 front. At 6-foot-1, 259 pounds, Ragland has downhill power and the athleticism to win in space. He looks the part of a first-round prospect in the middle of the defense. (fills a need)

* Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman hasn't checked off enough boxes during practice. At 6-foot-7, 269 pounds, Oakman has an extremely athletic build, but I haven't seen the defensive end flash on the field yet.

* Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon is the top player at his position in Mobile. With a legit pro frame (5-foot-10, 215 pounds), speed through the hole and pass-catching ability out of the backfield, Dixon is an ideal fit for today's NFL offenses. He accelerates with the ball in his hands and has the route-running ability to separate from linebackers. (RB depth)

* Boise State safety Darian Thompson should be climbing up draft boards. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Thompson has the pro size that scouts want at the position, along with the footwork/range to make plays as a defender in the deep middle of the field. Thompson finishes every play on the practice field, and he will deliver a blow. This is a physical prospect. (could he be the answer at SS?)

* Alabama running back Kenyan Drake (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) still has to answer some questions on his ability to consistently block in pass protection, but he brings some serious speed and matchup ability out of the backfield.

* Iowa's Austin Blythe (6-foot-2, 291 pounds) is a true technician with the flexibility to play both center and guard. Blythe displays the footwork and hand placement to win against bigger defenders inside. (OL depth?)

* Center Jack Allen (6'1 ½", 297 lbs, Michigan State) stood out during North practices by smothering two good defensive tackles to the ground during one-on-one drills. Allen mauled Adolphus Washington of Ohio State and Matt Ioannidis of Temple, both of whom have looked impressive in other drills. Allen handles quickness well and can engulf a defender when he gets control of him. (sounds like a fit for us)

* Ohio State WR Braxton Miller showed great play, speed and savvy. He can still work on getting a cleaner release against press coverage, but he really caught the ball -- even when the throws were off-target. And you saw his ability to create big plays after the catch.

* The defensive tackle group is absolutely stacked this year. A guy who can really help himself this week is BYU's Bronson Kaufusi. He put on 25 pounds (up to 281) and showed great athleticism for a guy his size. He used his length well at the point of attack. He has an enormous ceiling.

* South Carolina TE Jerell Adams has added 22 pounds since spring practice last year -- and it showed on the field. He looked a lot stronger as a blocker in one-on-one drills, and he played with an edge. That's a good sign for a player who already had upside as a pass-catcher.

* Alabama RB Kenyan Drake looked natural catching the ball. He could be one of the bigger steals in the draft, especially if he can improve in pass protection.

* Texas Tech OT Le'Raven Clark got a lot of buzz in scouting circles this fall. We found out why on Tuesday: You can't teach this kind of arm length (36.2 inches). Yes, he needs to be coached up, but he has good feet and a big frame (6-foot-5], 312 pounds).


http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2016/insider/story/_/id/14661738/braxton-miller-shows-rare-skill-set-senior-bowl-nfl-draft

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2611662-2016-senior-bowl-scouting-notebook-is-sheldon-rankins-the-next-aaron-donald

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2611687-winners-and-losers-from-day-2-at-the-senior-bowl

Smith plays SS, and I like moving Newman to FS and either signing and drafting a CB. Actually, make that two, because they should let Sherrels walk and have CP/Diggs return punts. Actually make that three, because Zimmer is not a fan of Robinson.

Note: I am not suggesting the Vikes draft 15 players. I understand that math of 8 picks (BUF's 7th in the Cassel deal, SF's 6th in the Hodges deal, but traded their 6th to SD for that Center). Some of these could be FA's as well as draft picks.

I like the idea of using a lot of picks on OL, but I would also like a WR to replace Wallace. I have family in North Dakota who say Wentz is absolutely the real deal, but they are not using their first on him and he won't be there when its their turn in the 2nd. The wildcard is Oakman. I can absolutely see Spielmann taking him.

8 picks (what I would look for)
-Long-term Answer at Safety opposite Smith
-Defensive Tackle (depth)
-MLB to stuff run on short yardage
-Pair of OL
-WR
-Pair of CB's