Potential Vikings targets that stood out in Indy

Looking at performances from the four position groups that the Vikings should be targeting

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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By Matthew Coller

The Minnesota Vikings have four positions that standout as clear needs in the NFL Draft: Defensive tackle, running back, cornerback and interior offensive line. At the NFL Combine, those position groups showed their depth and versatility. They also had some players that didn’t shine as much as expected. Let’s dive into who might have solidified their stock and who might have hurt it…

*Relative Athletic Scores and NFL Athleticism scores use a combination of the player’s drill results to form 1-10 and 1-100 grades based on percentiles of their position and size*

Top defensive tackles

CJ West (Indiana)

NFL athleticism score: 86

RAS: 9.14

The Hoosiers’ DT came into Indy ranked as DT7 by NFL.com, putting him on the fringe of being drafted in the first round. He was a top-notch run defender by PFF grade (88.1) and improved his pressure numbers in 2024. When he jumped into the Combine drills, he flashed elite athleticism, running under a 5.0 40-yard dash and jumping 33 inches at 316 pounds. He isn’t a pure pass rusher but he might profile as a three-down type impact player.

Darius Alexander (Toledo)

NFL athleticism score: 78

RAS: 9.20

Few players in this draft have made the type of impression that Alexander has over the last couple weeks. He was a standout at the Senior Bowl and then crushed the straight-line speed and explosiveness drills. Add that with his production as a pass rusher over the last two seasons and he might push for a first-round spot. His age will be questioned, though that seems to be less of a factor these days than years past.

Also notable:

— Oregon’s Derrick Harmon didn’t do enough drills to receive an RAS score but ran a sub-5.0 40-yard dash and had a strong showing in on-field drills.

— Kentucky’s Deone Walker entered with a chance to send his stock through the roof and he failed to do that. His explosiveness numbers were ugly and he didn’t run the 40 or other quickness drills.

Top running backs

TreyVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)

NFL athleticism score: 92

RAS: 9.45

It was a little curious when NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah mocked Henderson to the Vikings but he proved to be an exceptional prospect in 2024 with over 1,000 yards at 7.0 yards per carry en route to a national championship. He backed up those numbers with his athletic prowess, which is nothing short of elite. A 4.43 40-yard dash with a 38.5 inch vertical at over 200 pounds rated as one of the best overall performances among RBs.

Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)

NFL athleticism score: 92

RAS: 9.88

No wonder the Buckeyes raised a banner. Judkins, also a 1,000-yard runner, hit under 4.5 on the 40-yard dash at 221 pounds. His 10-yard split time was also among the best. If teams are looking for a little more on the power side than Henderson, they might go with Judkins first. It’s pretty difficult to separate them after the Combine.

Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)

NFL athleticism score: 85

RAS: 9.61

While his 40 time wasn’t the fastest, Hampton’s actual top speed in terms of miles per hour was in the top five. Considering he weighs 221 pounds, that’s pretty darn impressive. Hampton may get more credit from teams as a true bell cow type RB who carried the ball over 250 times in each of the last two seasons in comparison to the duo RBs of Ohio State. If he was a first-round prospect before, he certainly didn’t hurt that status in Indy.

Notable:

— Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo didn’t do enough drills to get a RAS score but he did jump 39.5 inches, demonstrating his explosiveness.

— Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson was underwhelming, running only a 4.57 40-yard dash. However, his 6-foot-1, 224-pound frame is among the largest in the draft at RB.

Top cornerbacks