As a Minnesota Vikings fan, I must say that I am so happy with the draft results for my team. Laquon Treadwell, Minnesota’s first-round pick, is a much-needed player. He is a big target, as well as a great route runner with excellent hands. Treadwell also is the best blocking receiver in the draft, and this shows off his competitiveness and selflessness.
Many people do not like his speed because he ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. I am not concerned by this because a little over a year ago, he broke his fibula, and as a person who has been through a serious sports injury, I am confident he will be faster the more time passes by. It also does not concern me because his college tape is full of his making plays and as they say, the tape does not lie. A player who Treadwell reminds me of is Larry Fitzgerald from the Arizona Cardinals. Fitzgerald is a future Hall of Famer who is not considered a fast receiver but does his job and makes plays for his team. Fitzgerald also ran a 4.6 second 40-yard dash time coming into the league.
I am also very pleased with the second round pick the Vikings made. Mackensie Alexander, who some sports analysts had going off in the first round of their mock drafts. This is the second straight year the Vikings have gotten a first-round talent in the second round of the draft, last year it was Eric Kendricks from UCLA.
Alexander is a smart pick for the future as well as the present. Looking at the future, the Vikings now have three cornerbacks taken in either the first or second round who are all under the age of 26, the other two being Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes. These three players will be the core defensive back group, along with Harrison Smith at safety, for many years to come. Although Alexander is considered a small cornerback, he is a great competitive player. He did not allow a touchdown catch in his past 26 games at Clemson.
Many people have a problem with the number of interceptions Alexander made, 0. I am fine with that for three reasons. The first being that Alexander was a lockdown receiver which allowed less than 40 percent of passes thrown his way to being caught by the receiver he was covering. He was also a lockdown corner who teams would game plan to stay away from. Lastly, he is with Mike Zimmer and has many years to develop. Mike Zimmer is a defensive genius who has transformed the Vikings from being a bad defense to a playoff, maybe even super bowl, caliber defense in just two years. Mackensie has time to work on his receiving and coverage skills as well. I cannot wait to watch these two players grow up and play for the Minnesota Vikings.
