Spielman, Vikings Show Extra Interest in BYU Offensive Lineman

Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman has been all over the country over the last month, taking in pro days at different schools as he tries to map out his plan for this year’s NFL Draft. His scouting trips, along with other GM’s around the league, have been extra well-documented this offseason and that’s for good reason. With no combine for general managers and scouts to take in all of the top college football talent in one location, tracking where each GM chooses to spend their pro day time in March could help indicate where their mind might be looking in the draft come April.

Well, Friday was a big day for pro days and Rick Spielman had a lot of possible destinations. Michigan and Virginia Tech were two possibilities locations for Slick Rick, with players like Kwity Paye (DE-MI) and Christian Darrisaw (OT-VT) participating in their respective pro days. But, you couldn’t find the Vikings general manager on either of those campuses.

Where’s Rick

Nope, Spielman was on the other side of the country at Brigham Young University in Utah. And as much as a select group of Minnesota Vikings fans would like to believe he was there to scout QB, Zach Wilson, it’s widely believed that Rick was there to get a long, hard look at one of Wilson’s offensive linemen, Brady Christensen, an offensive tackle who is expected to fall somewhere in the 3rd round next month.

Interesting that Spielman chose BYU’s pro day today over Michigan and Virginia Tech. Keep an eye on BYU OL Brady Christensen and how well he tests. Maybe Rick felt like there wasn’t as much observation that needed to be done on prospects like Kwity Paye and Christian Darrisaw. https://t.co/oysLxSf7jM

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) March 26, 2021

OT Brady Christensen… Whoa

6’6 302lbs
40: 4.89u
Broad: 10’4
Vertical: 34″
Bench: 30 reps

3 year starter at LT
2500+ Snaps
1st Team All-American via @PFF

It’s a deep OT class – but make sure you’re watching them all! Christensen is a stud and perfect fit for a OZ/WZ team

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 26, 2021

BYU OT Brady Christensen with 30 reps on bench pic.twitter.com/HTkGzH5NyE

— Andrew Groover (@APGroover) March 26, 2021

The more I watch BYU LT Brady Christensen – the more he’s turning into a ‘pound the table for’ prospect

One of most athletic OTs in the class!

Run Arc vs Speed ++
Drive Block Movement
Reach/3T Backside OZ
Climb to 2nd Level
Pull to Perimeter
Screen Leak
Sustain Pass Pro Late pic.twitter.com/dOoELPxQsK

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 11, 2021

Brady Christensen is a flat out baller.

So, so impressive. Give me all of his stock. pic.twitter.com/yxUZ64CIGQ

— Ryan Fowler (@FowlerRyan1) March 11, 2021

Vikings material

All you have to see is the few twitter clips sitting above this paragraph and you’ll quickly realize that Brady Christensen is the exact zone blocking scheme offensive tackle that Rick Dennison would love to get his hands on. He’s big and seems to hold up pretty damn well in his pass blocking. But he clearly shines when running and blocking in space.

Seeing a future with Brady out in front of Dalvin Cook becomes pretty easy after watching these highlights. Clearly, Spielman has had those same thoughts because this isn’t the first time Minnesota has taken an extra look at Christensen. According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, Brady was zooming with Vikings coaches just a couple of weeks ago…

Christensen wasn’t the only player performing at the BYU pro day, who Rick Spielman was keeping his eyes on, but Brady does make the most sense for the Minnesota Vikings, given what they are looking for and their obvious interest heading into Friday.

I’m pumped to watch the BYU Pro Day this morning. There are several players to keep an eye on:

QB Zach Wilson
OT Brady Christensen
DT Khyiris Tonga
OG Tristen Hoge

Hoge would be an excellent target for the #Vikings. He impressed me while watching games this year.

— Daniel House (@DanielHouseNFL) March 26, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan