Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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The start of June signals the first wave of NFL minicamps, with the Vikings scheduled to hold theirs next week.
ESPN wrote that fans are excited this time of year about the performance of their teams’ respective draft picks, “especially the first-rounders.” With that in mind, ESPN’s reporters gave early impressions of how each team’s first-round picks are looking through spring practices.
Courtney Cronin wrote the following of Vikings center Garrett Bradbury, drafted 18th overall:
One position battle appears to already be solved in Minnesota with Garrett Bradbury in line to become the Day 1 starter at center. He’s the right fit for the position with his athleticism, power and feel for an offense that runs an outside zone scheme. Plus, plugging Bradbury in at center allows the Vikings to move Pat Elflein to left guard, which seems like it will be a better fit. Bradbury has a lot on his plate, and it’s not always easy for a rookie center to shoulder the responsibility of calling an entire game. But, he can lean on Elflein, and quarterback Kirk Cousins is eager to perfect their communication from the jump given how many centers he worked with last year. “I just tried to set that vision for him to say, ‘You be the guy here for the next 10 years, and let's not have to worry about having anybody else snap for the quarterback,’ ” Cousins said. “He’s got a long ways to go to do that, but he’s got all the right stuff, and we’ll just keep stacking days on top of one another to get him where he needs to be.”
NFC North rival Chicago did not have a first-round pick this year. Detroit drafted Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson eighth overall, and Green Bay selected defensive end Rashan Gary (12th) and safety Darnell Savage (21st).
ESPN’s Michael Rothstein wrote the following of Hockenson, whom the Vikings are scheduled to face in Weeks 7 and 14:
It’s tough to get a true gauge on Hockenson – or any rookie – until training camp, but even more so at tight end because of the breadth of what they are asked to do. That said, he’s looked good so far in the limited amount of time the media has been able to watch him. His coaches have been impressed with how he’s picked up the offense, and they know he has the capability to do a lot. It’s just going to take some time, particularly in a new offense for every player, for that to truly be realized.