2021 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings seven-round mock draft
By Ian Higgins
Minnesota Vikings 2021 mock draft: Round Three
Scouting Report. College Stats. S. UCF. Richie Grant. 79. player. 60
With the potential impending loss of standout safety Anthony Harris, the Minnesota Vikings will likely have to dip into the 2021 NFL Draft’s collection of safety prospects in order to retain an effective secondary led by Harrison Smith.
Lacking standout cornerbacks to run a conventional man-defense, continuing the trend of high-value safeties will offer the Minnesota Vikings an effective alternative in coverage.
Having filled nearly every role in coverage during his time at UCF, safety Richie Grant is potentially the most versatile safety of the 2021 NFL Draft with his ability to play in both single-high coverage as well as match slot receivers in press coverage.
Possessing the dimension of coverage to complement Harrison Smith, Grant can allow his running-mate to roam freely in the defensive front.
Still lacking refinement in his tackling technique and ability to play the angles against ballcarriers, Grant can offer impressive coverage capability for his draft position and save cap space following the loss of Anthony Harris.
Rashad Weaver. 91. Pittsburgh. College Stats. EDGE. player. 60. Scouting Report
A lean six-foot-five, 270-pound defensive end out of Pittsburgh with day one value in run defense, Rashad Weaver is a sufficient plug-and-play solution on the defensive line capable of smoothly adopting the role of a conventional 4-3 defensive end.
With 7.5 sacks through nine games in a shortened season, Weaver elevated his ability to rush the passer with adequate suddenness and impressive functional strength funneled through his nearly 83-inch wingspan.
Able to outreach many well-measured offensive tackles at the point of contact, Weaver manages to implement an effective bullrush despite being sub-300-pounds.
Playing in a mold reminiscent of Hunter and Griffen, Rashad Weaver is a perfect scheme-fit found in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft who can play above his draft selection when placed into the correct role, capitalizing on his ability to wrangle ballcarriers in run defense.