Fansided
Fansided

Minnesota Vikings got a UDFA steal in WR Jake Wieneke

By Sayre Bedinger

FORT WORTH, TX - SEPTEMBER 3: Jake Wieneke #19 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits is brought down by the TCU defense after a long reception during the second half on September 3, 2016 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX - SEPTEMBER 3: Jake Wieneke #19 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits is brought down by the TCU defense after a long reception during the second half on September 3, 2016 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Minnesota Vikings got a steal in undrafted free agent wide receiver Jake Wieneke out of South Dakota State University…

The Minnesota Vikings stole Adam Thielen in undrafted free agency a few years ago, and Thielen now looks like one of the best young wide receivers in the NFL.

Is it possible they have struck gold again with undrafted free agent wide receiver Jake Wieneke of South Dakota State?

Wieneke was overshadowed in this year’s draft class by another one of his teammates at South Dakota State, tight end Dallas Goedert, who ended up being the top pick of the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Side note: The Eagles seem to have a pipeline coming from the Dakotas in recent years with the additions of Goedert, Carson Wentz (North Dakota) and Nate Gerry (South Dakota native).

At any rate, the Maple Grove, Minnesota native Wieneke has likely long dreamed of playing for his home-state Vikings.

Now, he will get the chance, and he’s in a very good situation.

More from NFL Mocks

The 6-foot-4 Wieneke checked in prior to the draft at 221 pounds and ran a 4.67 40-yard dash. That 40 time is likely what contributed to his being undrafted, because it certainly wasn’t for a lack of production as a member of the Jackrabbits.

Wieneke said he loved Randy Moss growing up, and when you watch him play, it’s easy to see where he picked up some of his habits, especially in red zone work.

Over the course of his four seasons with SDSU, Wieneke racked up 59 receiving touchdowns and nearly 18 yards per reception. He was a big play threat who could win with route running ability and exceptional length.

Wieneke’s 33-inch arms and 34-inch vertical jump have helped him compensate for that lack of elite long speed, and he knows how to pluck the ball out of the air and make contested catches.

The Vikings may have themselves another player to develop and bring into the fold fairly quickly. Wieneke’s ability to win inside the red zone could make him stand out this offseason and into the preseason.

He might not be lighting it up on Sunday’s right away in 2018, but this is a name to bookmark for some point in the future.

Home/NFL Draft