These 3 Potential Vikings Draft Targets Won’t Work Out at the NFL Combine
Josh Frey
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This week, the NFL scouting combine is set to get started in Indianapolis as more than 300 prospects descend on Lucas Oil Stadium.
Not only will the prospects have their medicals evaluated and get a chance to interview with teams, but beginning on Thursday, they will showcase their talents out on the field by going through testing drills. However, there are a few prospects who won’t go through these workouts over the week. Here is a look at three potential Vikings draft targets who won’t work out at the combine.
CB Cooper DeJean
Cooper DeJean was a strong cornerback for the Iowa Hawkeyes throughout his collegiate career, holding down the boundary for an elite defensive unit. DeJean has outstanding athletic ability along with a 6’1″ frame that allows him to blanket wide receivers downfield.
However, he won’t put those skills on display this week as he continues to rehab from injury. Dane Brugler of The Athletic tweeted, “Sources: #Iowa CB Cooper DeJean won’t test at next week’s Scouting Combine as he works his way back from his late-season leg injury (which is a bummer because he’s one of the freakiest guys in the draft). DeJean plans to work out for NFL teams closer to draft weekend.”
Not only is DeJean a great player in the secondary, but he was a terrific punt returner for Iowa over his collegiate career as well. This could allow him to fill multiple needs for the Vikings with Brandon Powell hitting free agency.
QB Caleb Williams
It’s a longshot that the Vikings would be able to select Caleb Williams, but still, there remains the outside chance that he could fall a touch further down the board, allowing Minnesota to trade up and snatch him.
Williams is an elite improviser at the quarterback position, consistently able to make plays either with his arm or legs when things break down around him. As a result, he has widely been considered the QB1 of this class.
However, Williams won’t be participating on the field this week. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweeted on Sunday, “Potential top overall pick #USC QB Caleb Williams will wait until his Pro Day to throw and workout for scouts, sources say. He’ll be in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, but not throw for teams.”
QB Jayden Daniels
While the Vikings likely don’t have much of a chance at Williams, Jayden Daniels is a QB prospect who could certainly be available at No. 3 overall or perhaps even a touch further down the board. This would give Minnesota an opportunity to trade up and select the LSU product.
Daniels has some elite arm strength, allowing him to push the ball downfield. On top of that, he is a wizard as a runner out of the backfield, totaling well over 1000 rushing yards along with 10 rushing TDs this past season.
However, Daniels is another prospect who won’t throw at the NFL combine. Rapoport again had the scoop, tweeting, “LSU QB Jayden Daniels, one of the NFL Draft’s top QBs, plans to throw at his Pro Day rather than the NFL Combine, sources say. He’ll be in Indy for interviews and meetings, but not work out.”
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Sports Reference CFB.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.