PJD is on vacation. During this time, we’ve decided we’ll take a quick look at potential Minnesota Vikings draft picks for the second or later rounds. With so many needs and so many draft picks to get this team back to a place where we can at least pretend they are respectable, we’ll have plenty of ground to cover. Let us know what you think of each prospect in the comments, and whether or not they’d be a good fit or impact player, and of course if you can think of a funny nickname for them.
Today, we look at Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler, who might be German, although I cannot verify that by being lazy.
From ESPN’s draft analysis, which is as insightful as asking a dyslexic kid about Zeitler:
Overall Football Traits
1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal Offensive Guard Specific Traits
1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal |
You would be hard pressed to find a Vikings fan who would argue that the offensive line isn’t one of the top needs for the Vikings to address this offseason. We all know we need a left tackle after Bryant McKinnie was let go to eat more cheeseburgers and Charlie Johnson played about as effectively as his name would indicate. That’s where USC tackle Matt Kalil comes in, who is the overwhelmingly supposed pick for the Vikings at #3. But, offensive line casualties may also include bearded legend Steve Hutchinson AND funny man Anthony Herrera. If both individuals were cut, the Vikings would likely be looking for cheaper help somewhere else. Now, if the Vikings were to draft a player like Zeitler, who probably won’t last past their 2nd pick (MAAAYBBBEEE 3rd, but I would doubt it) as he’s rated 54th overall by ESPN, it’d be interesting to see what his role would be on the team. Likely Kalil will start from day one, moving Charlie Johnson to left guard and leaving a hole at right guard. Would the team start another rookie when center John Sullivan occasionally needs help as is, and Phil Loadholt is essentially a walking baby woolly mammoth? It’d be dicey, but has been done before (Steelers and 49ers recently, I think?), but to mixed results.
Either way, Zeitler looks like he’ll develop into a solid interior guy, and is definitely someone we could use on the team. Even if he DID play at Wisconsin, which should ensure him living a terrible life if this were a just world.
What say you?
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!