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Vikings sign...UDFA

SemperFeist

By SemperFeist
in Minnesota Vikings

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Klomp

Klomp

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Updated list, after some additional research of my own (sorry, took a nap after our last pick)

DE/LB Hercules Mata'afa
CB Holton Hill
WR Jeff Badet
WR Korey Robertson
OLB Garret Dooley
RB Kamryn Pettway
WR Jake Wieneke
S Tray Matthews
RB Roc Thomas
RB Mike Boone
WR Armanti Foreman
TE Tyler Hoppes
RB Kobe McCrary (minicamp invite)
DB Kunle Ayinde (minicamp invite)
QB Matt Linehan (minicamp invite)
QB Pete Pujals (minicamp invite)

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ArcticNorseman

ArcticNorseman

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Mitty . . . lighten up, son.  The Jacks only beat the Yotes by 3 last year . . . so I know it's tough being 2nd fiddle, but USD is improving.  LMAO.  GO JACKS!!!!!

As for the UDFA's . . . WHAT A CLASS!  I realize there are only so many who can be drafted, but wow, getting Hercules (an absolute Tasmanian devil) and my favorite small school WR in JW  . . . that's amazing.  

SKOL!

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Klomp

Klomp

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2 hours ago, mitty18 said:

Jake Wieneke went to high school in Maple Grove, MN.  Went to a small college, UDFA to the Vikings.  Anyone else getting an Adam Thielen vibe?

I see a big difference in athletic testing. Thielen a mid-4.4 guy. Wieneke ran a 4.67.

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Klomp

Klomp

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Pro Football Focus had labeled him a top-60 prospect in the draft, equating to a second-round selection, and Chad Reuter of NFL.com projected that he’d be drafted in the fifth round. ESPN’s Todd McShay rated him No. 140 on a list of the top-300 prospects.

If teams were hesitant to take a chance on Mata’afa, it was likely because of his “tweener” status. Mata’afa played with a hand in the ground at the college level, usually as a defensive tackle, but he probably lacks the size and strength to do so at the next level. The Lahaina, Hawaii, native will likely move to a rush linebacker or interior linebacker in the NFL, but having strictly played on the D-line at WSU, he’d not had any experience at either spot.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/apr/28/minnesota-vikings-take-washington-states-hercules-/

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Klomp

Klomp

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More importantly, his experience as an undersized tackle has showcased his strength, toughness, and ability to overcome physical limitations. Further boosting his stock is the fact 2018’s draft class isn’t deep with pass rushers; a needy team may be willing to overlook his shortcomings in order to focus on his production. A utility player with a knack for getting to the quarterback is a valuable thing — especially if an enterprising defensive coordinator can carve out a niche for a player praised for his leadership.

He believes another transition won’t be a problem, even if finding an opportunity might.

“That’s the aspect of my game that I don’t think anyone else in this draft can match,” he wrote for CBS New York earlier in April. “That experience of rushing the passer from every angle and every technique. I hope people see that in me and give me that chance to prove what I can do, because that’s all I need: one chance.”

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/4/18/17199814/hercules-mataafa-defensive-tackle-nfl-future-linebacker-2018-nfl-draft

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Klomp

Klomp

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At the NFL Combine, Hill backed up his high school testing numbers with a performance that boosted his draft stock — a 4.49 40-yard dash and a 4.15 shuttle. Given that he posted a 36.3-inch vertical in high school, his 31-inch vertical at the Combine may have been a result of physical fatigue from the testing.

On the field, Hill doesn’t lack for physicality — he’s capable of taking on and defeating blockers and is a strong open-field tackler who isn’t overmatched by opponents. Hill is scheme versatile and took on the challenge of facing off against some of the Big 12’s best receiver last season. Notably, he held Oklahoma State star James Washington to four catches for 32 yards, so he doesn’t have any major issues with his technique as a cornerback.

https://www.burntorangenation.com/2018/4/26/17286704/holton-hill-scouting-report-2018-nfl-draft-texas-longhorns

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Krauser

Krauser

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Mata’afa is wayyy smaller than a “tweener” — Jalyn Holmes is a tweener at 280. Mata’afa is barely bigger than Ben Gedeon. 

I’m also a big fan, and agree that he’s an incredibly interesting player. He’s unconventional, but really effective. It’s hard to know how to use him — I don’t think he’s athletic or long enough to survive as an edge rusher for Zimmer. He’s too small to play inside full time. And playing him off the LOS would kill his strength, which is that incredible quickness and leverage off the snap. 

I think Mata’afa would be best as a nickel pass rush specialist, lined up at DT. Get him in an A or B gap in a 3 point stance, and let him try to knife into the backfield before the play even gets started. 

Zimmer also likes to stunt the nickel DT (previously Robison), and Mata’afa is really good at stunts, because he runs such a tight arc with a low pad level. 

He should also be able to contribute on special teams, or take occasional rotation / depth snaps at DE. But he might dress mostly to play 10-15 plays per game in nickel and obvious passing situations, just to jump the snap and wreak havoc. 

Between Holmes and Aruna and Mata’afa, this is a very exciting group of new DL / pass rushers. 

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