Three College Football Players the Vikings Should Be Watching This Weekend | Vol. II

Hi, my name is Zack Patrow and, along with writing for MinnesotaSportsFan.com, I also have my own NFL Draft website, DynastyDraftRoom.com. Weekly, I will write about THREE players the Minnesota Vikings and their fans, should be scouting for the 2021 NFL Draft that weekend. You can find Week 1’s HERE.

Oofta. Last week, the Minnesota Vikings played the Green Bay Packers and it was a tough one to watch. The Vikings secondary failed their first test of the season, against Aaron Rodgers. Offensively, receivers failed to create separation for their quarterback.

There’s no time to dwell on last week when you’re in the NFL. Instead, it’s time to look ahead… all the way to next off-season. With the struggles the Vikings had on defense, and at receiver, let’s look at a few players that the Vikings could look at in the 2021 NFL Draft that could help us next year.

Tylan Wallace vs. Tulsa – 11:00am

WR – Oklahoma State | 6-0 | 185-pounds

I think it’s time to admit to ourselves that Stefon Diggs was a big part of why our offense was successful over the past few years. His shiftiness and ability to create separation made his route running second, to just about no one in the league. With Diggs now in Buffalo, the Vikings are already missing that speed/route running combo he brought..

First-round pick, Justin Jefferson from LSU, is still getting his feet wet in the league. After an off-season like none other, I wouldn’t blame the Vikings for load up on wide receiver talent.

Tylan Wallace is a player who could step in and fill that outside receiver role, Diggs once held. Wallace drew comparisons to Diggs last year because of the shiftiness in his routes and home run speed.

Unfortunately, Wallace tore his ACL last year and never opted for the 2020 draft. He enters the 2020 season as a guy the Vikings could target in day-two of the 2021 draft.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah vs. South Florida – 1:30pm

LB/S – Notre Dame | 6-2 | 216-pounds

The Minnesota Vikings currently lack versatility on defense. Honestly, it’s something they’ve been missing for some time. They just haven’t had that guy who can play the deep middle, down in the box, cover the slot, and/or blitz off the edge. That kind of chess piece can be a game-changer.

That’s exactly the type of player Owusu-Koramoah will bring to a defense. He started his career as a safety, but now has moved into more of a linebacker role (that will occasionally cover the slot). Owusu-Koramoah would be a perfect fit next to Barr and Kendricks.

Eric Wilson struggled for most of the game last week. It’s quite possible the Vikings have squeezed the best out of him already. Owusu-Koramoah would be a breath of fresh air and can can slide into certain blitz or drop back into coverage.

Alim McNeill vs. Wake Forest – 7:00pm

IDL – North Carolina State | 6-2 | 320-pounds

The Vikings defensive line struggled to create pressure on Aaron Rodgers. Their interior looks a lot different without Linval Joseph and opt-out Michael Pierce. They need a guy who has the versatility to come in and play nose-tackle or slide to the 3-technique.

That’s McNeill. He’s a big, versatile athlete with quickness and power. He can defeat double teams with ease and uses his size to gain the advantage. He’s listed at 320-pounds but plays like his high school weight of 260. He moves effortlessly with gap penetrating power and elusiveness.

He could instantly step up into a starting role on day one, to help what could be a scary defensive line that could use a talented (and cheap) rookie to paste it all together.

Zack Patrow | Minnesota Sports Fan | TDDR