BimboColesHair
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With the 48th pick of the 2017 Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select:
Dion Dawkins, OG/OT, Temple
Why:
Vikings spent 38 million guaranteed on 2 tackles in free agency, but still have a glaring hole at RG. Offensive line was, without a doubt, the Vikings worst position group last season, so adding 3 new starters wouldn't be the worst thing they could do. Came down to a decision between Dawkins and Dan Feeney for me, but with questions about Feeney being only a zone blocker, and the Vikings transition into man blocking last season, Dawkins takes the edge for scheme fit. While scouts seem to think he will be better off kicking inside in the NFL, he is also big, flexible, athletic, and long enough to perhaps kick out to tackle down the line, if needed to.
Measurables:
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 314
Arm Length: 35"
40: 5.11
Broad: 106"
3 Cone: 7.30
Bench: 26 reps
Strengths:
Burly upper body and thick calves down below. Has shown enough upper-body strength to muscle his defender around even without using great leverage. Shows a natural amount of core strength to battle against bull rushers. Able to get out of stance and into his kick-slide with pretty good fluidity and quickness. Uses choppy steps to slide and rarely allows his base to get too narrow in pass protection or in the run game. Plays with balance. Uses aggressive, tight settle-step into defender and then fires hands and hips to help generate push in run game. Has experience in zone- and gap-running schemes. Full-time three-year starter at left tackle.
Weaknesses:
Hands are often too wide in pass protection and his punch turns into grabbing. Needs to keep hands quieter and inside pre-punch. Wide punch approach robs him of some of his natural length. Will head-butt into contact in pass pro. Can be a little inconsistent with footwork when attempting to redirect back inside against stunts. Has a little stiffness in his hips that limit his bend and could affect anchor. Gets caught over-committing on twists and will open the door for looping rushers. Needs to work on improving leverage rather than relying on pure power. Plays with inconsistent angles to the linebackers when making backside cut-off blocks.
Bottom Line:
Quality tackle who operates with good balance and solid technique. Shows some good initial quickness and a smooth kick-slide out of his stance, but might be better in short areas as a guard rather than in open space as a tackle. He's athletic enough to operate in space, but power appears to be his calling card. His wide-hand approach in pass protection could be a difficult habit to break, but he has the natural power to withstand bull rush that might come with that. Dawkins is a well-schooled, three-year starter who has chance to transition into an early starter.
@kriegs and the Washington Redskins are on the clock
Dion Dawkins, OG/OT, Temple
Why:
Vikings spent 38 million guaranteed on 2 tackles in free agency, but still have a glaring hole at RG. Offensive line was, without a doubt, the Vikings worst position group last season, so adding 3 new starters wouldn't be the worst thing they could do. Came down to a decision between Dawkins and Dan Feeney for me, but with questions about Feeney being only a zone blocker, and the Vikings transition into man blocking last season, Dawkins takes the edge for scheme fit. While scouts seem to think he will be better off kicking inside in the NFL, he is also big, flexible, athletic, and long enough to perhaps kick out to tackle down the line, if needed to.
Measurables:
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 314
Arm Length: 35"
40: 5.11
Broad: 106"
3 Cone: 7.30
Bench: 26 reps
Strengths:
Burly upper body and thick calves down below. Has shown enough upper-body strength to muscle his defender around even without using great leverage. Shows a natural amount of core strength to battle against bull rushers. Able to get out of stance and into his kick-slide with pretty good fluidity and quickness. Uses choppy steps to slide and rarely allows his base to get too narrow in pass protection or in the run game. Plays with balance. Uses aggressive, tight settle-step into defender and then fires hands and hips to help generate push in run game. Has experience in zone- and gap-running schemes. Full-time three-year starter at left tackle.
Weaknesses:
Hands are often too wide in pass protection and his punch turns into grabbing. Needs to keep hands quieter and inside pre-punch. Wide punch approach robs him of some of his natural length. Will head-butt into contact in pass pro. Can be a little inconsistent with footwork when attempting to redirect back inside against stunts. Has a little stiffness in his hips that limit his bend and could affect anchor. Gets caught over-committing on twists and will open the door for looping rushers. Needs to work on improving leverage rather than relying on pure power. Plays with inconsistent angles to the linebackers when making backside cut-off blocks.
Bottom Line:
Quality tackle who operates with good balance and solid technique. Shows some good initial quickness and a smooth kick-slide out of his stance, but might be better in short areas as a guard rather than in open space as a tackle. He's athletic enough to operate in space, but power appears to be his calling card. His wide-hand approach in pass protection could be a difficult habit to break, but he has the natural power to withstand bull rush that might come with that. Dawkins is a well-schooled, three-year starter who has chance to transition into an early starter.
@kriegs and the Washington Redskins are on the clock
People didn't want to research prospects graded that low to make picks once we got to 100 or so. I encourage the Browns to pick if/when they're on the clock in the 4th.