Minnesota Vikings: 4-Round 2019 mock draft following free agency
By Joe Kipp
Round 3, Pick 81: Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota
After taking two offensive pieces in rounds one and two, the Vikings elect to dip their toes into the defensive side of the ball with pick No. 81. In this scenario, the Vikings take Blake Cashman, a known commodity around the area. Cashman was a walk-on for the Minnesota Gophers from Eden Prairie, MN, just minutes outside Minneapolis.
Cashman wowed everyone at the NFL Scouting Combine with his unknown athleticism. Although he possesses average length and size (6-1, 237 pounds), he posted a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, 37.5-inch vertical leap, 124-inch broad jump and 6.95-second 3-Cone drill. All were among the best at his position.
"“A relentless defender, Cashman’s intensity on the field is indicative of a guy who went from preferred walk-on to team captain. He’s an urgent player with quick processing skills and the athletic ability to win in coverage while making plays from sideline to sideline.” – The Draft Network’s Joe Marino"
Cashman told The Draft Wire that he has a visit with the Vikings set up for sometime in early April. RIck Spielman’s son, J.D. Spielman, who plays for Nebraska, was high school teammates with Cashman. Minnesota’s GM undoubtedly knows a thing or two about the linebacker and could be looking to shore up the Vikings special teams unit and overall depth by drafting him.