Defensive end Kenny Willekes is Michigan State’s all-time leader in career tackles for loss with 51. He had 16 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks for the Spartans in 2019.
Despite this, Willekes fell to the seventh round of the draft — where the Vikings took him at No. 225.
Our friends at Draft Wire tabbed Willekes as Minnesota’s biggest steal in the NFL Draft.
Looking at the advanced analytics for Willekes, this pick makes sense. Next Gen Stats listed the defensive end out of Michigan State among a group it called Day 3 Hidden Gems.
Next Gen Stats included Baylor defensive lineman James Lynch, who the Vikings also drafted, as a hidden gem on day three. Despite being late-round picks, both Lynch and Willekes have a chance to compete for roles high on the depth chart.
Some have predicted that Lynch will be the starter at the three-technique defensive tackle position for the Vikings. While not many have speculated about Willekes taking the starting defensive end position that is opposite to Danielle Hunter, Willekes can still earn a big role after reserve defensive end Stephen Weatherly’s departure in free agency.