Minnesota Sixth-Round Picks – OL Vederian Lowe & WR Jalen Nailor – Will Bolster Offense

Important NFL Dates
Jan 31, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings helmets and equipment at the Super Bowl LII Experience at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In the sixth, the Minnesota Vikings opted for OL Vederian Lowe from Illinois and WR Jalen Nailor from Michigan State.

Once again, I turn to none other than Dane Brugler of The Athletic, one of the foremost draft experts out there. Take a peak at what he has to say about Lowe:

Lowe is a mature, developed player with the footwork to adjust to targets in space and allow his long arms to work for him. His pad level can get away from him, and he needs to be a more consistent leverage blocker. Overall, Lowe is an average athlete and tends to be over-reliant on his upper half, but he stays under control to square up defenders as a pass blocker or drive them in the run game. He is prepared to compete for an NFL backup job as a rookie.

Being able to provide quality depth is the key for the late rounders. Very seldom do rookie sixth-round picks make a strong impact on the field. Lowe is built like an offensive tackle at 6’5, 314. He’ll compete with depth options like Blake Brandel for backup duties.

Shortly thereafter, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah opted for Nailor. Mr. Brugler has the knowledge:

As an athlete, Nailor is explosive with the natural balance and acceleration to create after the catch or make an impact as a returner. However, he lacks tempo and instincts as a route runner, and NFL quarterbacks will quickly lose trust in him unless he becomes more dependable. Overall, Nailor has the fluid athleticism that creates conflict for defenses, but he is more gadget weapon than polished receiver right now, and you have to be creative in the ways you get him touches. His lack of durability complicates his draft projection.

The receiver depth chart is crowded. The clear-cut top 3 – Jefferson, Thielen, and Osborn – aren’t going anywhere. Ihmir Smith-Marsette will likely be the WR4. In other words, the competition for the final spot or two is going to be intense. Nailor was picked by the current regime, so he has the upper hand on Bisi Johnson, Dan Chisena, and other depth WRs.

The Vikings’ last remaining pick is at 227.





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