Minnesota Vikings: Prospects to watch at the 2019 Senior Bowl
By Joe Kipp
The Minnesota Vikings should keep an eye on these prospects, particularly on the offensive line, during the 2019 Senior Bowl.
The 2018-19 NFL season isn’t officially over yet. But for Minnesota Vikings fans and the other of 29 teams who won’t be participating in the Super Bowl, the offseason has already started. The annual Senior Bowl is a great way for fans to get to know incoming college prospects as we start to focus more on the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Vikings ended the 2018 season with one glaring need – offensive line. Additionally, outside linebacker, defensive tackle and wide receiver could become other needs this offseason, depending on how free agency shakes out.
For now, though, the offensive line remains a clear-cut need. Both guard spots and a backup swing tackle are the biggest points of emphasis. Luckily for the Vikings, this year’s NFL Draft has a decent crop of talent on the frontline. Some of that talent will be on display this Saturday, Jan. 26 at the 2019 Senior Bowl.
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Divided into two separate teams — North and South — the Senior Bowl allows college seniors (and some special exceptions) to showcase their talents in a week’s worth of practices and drills, capped off by an actual game at the end of the week.
Vikings fans may remember current star safety Harrison Smith participating in the 2012 Senior Bowl. Other notable recent participants include Dak Prescott, Bobby Wagner, Richard Sherman, Aaron Donald, Jimmy Graham, Russell Wilson, Von Miller and many more.
If seeing those names isn’t convincing enough to watch the game, take a look at this statistic. Nearly 30 percent of the NFL is comprised of Senior Bowl participants, according to the Senior Bowl’s website. “To have 500 former players on active NFL rosters emphasizes the fact that each year the Senior Bowl features the future stars of the league,” said Senior Bowl Executive Director Phil Savage.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at a few names along the offensive line that the Vikings should have their eyes on during the 2019 Senior Bowl:
OT Max Scharping, Northern Illinois
OT Dalton Risner, Kansas State
OG Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
OT Kaleb McGary, Washington
OG Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
OG Javon Patterson, Ole Miss
OG Ben Powers, Oklahoma
OG Dru Samia, Oklahoma
OT Andre Dillard, Washington State
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This offensive line group is loaded at talent, particularly from Oklahoma. Both Ben Powers and Dru Samia were All-American selections in 2018. Max Scharping, a four-year starter at Northern Illinois, started 49 consecutive games and didn’t miss a snap in 2018. Dalton Risner from Kansas State poses excellent versatility.
Each guard from Wisconsin was a four-year starter with a minimum experience of 49 games each. Minnesota Vikings scouts will undoubtedly have their eyes on the names above.