Tag: Myles Dorn

Vikings elevate S Myles Dorn from practice squad for Sunday’s game

The move likely signals that the rookie first-round pick will miss Sunday’s game against the Packers

With Lewis Cine having been on the injury report the last two days, the Minnesota Vikings made the move to elevate safety Myles Dorn from the practice squad.

This doesn’t 100% confirm that Lewis Cine will be out on Sunday but it sends a strong signal that he will miss the season opener against the Green Bay Packers.

Cine has been dealing with a knee injury that he aggrevated this week. It is something that hopefully won’t impact him long term and this could likely be a precautionary measure.

Dorn had a fantastic final preseason game against the Broncos and seemingly earned himself a roster spot but they gave it to Metellus over him due to his special teams acumen. Barring something drastic, Dorn will be active against the Packers on Sunday.

Vikings top defensive PFF grades vs Denver Broncos

After an up and down game, the Vikings had some wide-ranging PFF grades on defense

The Vikings lost a tough game on Saturday night 23-13 to the Denver Broncos.

Not playing 33 players – including all starters – the Vikings took the opportunity to look at all their depth players to make roster cuts just a little bit easier.

There weren’t a lot of obvious standout performances but players did acquit themselves well on Saturday night.

With the offensive PFF grades from Saturday night’s game live, here are the defensive grades.

Instant analysis from the Vikings 23-13 loss vs the Broncos on Saturday

The Vikings lost a tough game to the Broncos, dropping them to 0-3 in the preseason

The Minnesota Vikings played well at times but lost a tough game to the Denver Broncos 23-13.

The focus was on the quarterbacks, as the Viking acquired Nick Mullens from the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday morning. He did not get into the game, so we got Sean Mannion in the first half and Kellen Mond in the second half

Both guys struggled throughout the game. Mannion went 9-of-16 for 121 yards and had the worst play of the game for the Vikings. He was strip-sacked and Baron Browning took it for what ended up being the game-winning touchdown.

When Kellen Mond took over in the second half, things didn’t get any better. He finished 10-of-17 for 102 yards while looking lost and uncomfortable in the pocket during the entire half.

The biggest takeaway regarding the quarterback position is it shouldn’t have either Mannion or Mond rostered as neither has proven that they can be a quality NFL quarterback.

Running back Ty Chandler looked like the best Viking on the field, showcasing his elite burst and speed with great vision. He finished the day with five rushes for 44 yards at a staggering 8.8 yards per rush.

The defense had a lot of ups and downs. Some of that was due to the injuries that the unit sustained. They also got caught over pursuing consistently, including on a reverse touchdown for Montrell Washington.

Myles Dorn was the highlight of the defense. He was all over the field on Saturday night with six tackles and two passes defended. With Metellus getting injured early on, Dorn might have earned himself a roster spot.

Now that the preseason is done, the Vikings look toward two dates: cut down day on August 30th and week one against the Green Bay Packers on September 11th.

Finishing winless in the preseason isn’t ideal, but the development of players and talent evaluation is more important. The Vikings have a lot of decisions to make over the next 72 hours and you can keep track of all those decisions here.

Vikings make a couple roster moves

The Vikings made some moves.

With Minnesota’s safety depth in question, the Vikings made a sensible practice squad elevation.

The team elevated S Myles Dorn via COVID-19 replacement. The Vikings also elevated DT T.J. Smith. Minnesota ruled safeties Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus questionable for the Week 12 game, which it announced on Friday.

The Vikings are shoring up depth at a key position by signing DT T.J. Smith. Minnesota had to place DT Dalvin Tomlinson on the COVID-19/Reserve list earlier this week. He has yet to be activated off the list.

The Vikings need Armon Watts to have a big day in the absence of both Tomlinson and Michael Pierce. Sheldon Richardson could also use a breakout performance in San Francisco.

Both the Vikings and 49ers are 5-5. Minnesota is an underdog heading into the matchup. But the Vikings have pulled off upsets before. Just look at the last two weeks.

Three undrafted free agents on the Vikings who could become contributors in 2020

Despite the obstacles in their way, these three undrafted free agents on the Vikings could still become contributors in 2020.

Minnesota, like all NFL teams, will need to cut its roster to 80 before August 18.

That cut can affect the fringe players on the team, who in a normal offseason would have had more time to compete for spots. Based on many of the cuts already, it seems like undrafted free agents will be hit pretty hard by this decision.

But there are bound to be some undrafted free agents who have the potential to not only make the team, but be big contributors in 2020, especially on the Vikings.

From wide receiver Adam Thielen to safety Anthony Harris to plenty of others, Minnesota is pretty good at finding talent in the rookie class after the draft is over.

Who are some of those Vikings players who can do that this year, despite the unprecedented obstacles in their way?

Here they are:

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2020 NFL Draft: Giants could target these Day 3 prospects

With the 2020 NFL Draft just around the corner, here’s a look at several Day 3 prospects the New York Giants could target.

There’s not much to do these days except analyze the upcoming NFL Draft and what we’ve done here is line up some possible Day 3 candidates for the New York Giants.

In both of the scenarios below, the Giants did not land Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons. In the first scenario, we passed on him at No. 4. In the second, he was gone before the Giants were on the clock.

Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator, here’s how the 2020 NFL Draft played out for the Giants.

Day 1

  • Round 1, Pick 4: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Analysis: Wirfs is a versatile, athletic lineman the Giants sorely need. They have a lot invested in Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley and they need some talent up front to help stabilize the trenches.

Day 2

  • Round 2, Pick 36: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
  • Round 3, Pick 99: Nick Harris, C, Washington

Analysis: Queen would be a steal here and more than make up for passing on Simmons in the first round. Queen next to Blake Martinez in a 3-4 would be a nice tandem. Harris is a down-and dirty interior lineman cut from the Richie Seubert cloth. Giant fans will love him.

Day 3

  • Round 4, Pick 110: Julian Blackmon, S, Utah
  • Round 5, Pick 150: Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State
  • Round 6, Pick 183: Antoine Brooks Jr., S, Maryland
  • Round 7, Pick 218: Calvin Throckmorton, OT, Oregon
  • Round 7, Pick 238: Carter Coughlin, LB, Minnesota
  • Round 7, Pick 247: Levonta Taylor, CB, Florida State
  • Round 7, Pick 255: Mitchell Wilcox, TE, South Florida

Analysis: Blackmon is a pretty good fourth round find. I feel he’d start for the Giants right away. Hodgins was a sleeper, but his name has been rising. Not sure he’ll be around at No. 150. Brooks is a physical safety the Giants will find many uses for. Throckmorton would have to excel in camp to make the roster, but he’s got some ability. The final three players are all boom or bust types, but are all good athletes with solid football acumen.

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Full Cardinals mock draft simulation after DeAndre Hopkins trade

See who the Cardinals get in this draft now that they don’t have a second-round pick.

The Arizona Cardinals no longer have a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft and have an extra fourth-round pick, as a result of the trade for receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

What might the Cardinals’ draft look like? Here is the latest simulation I ran.

Round 1: Alabama OT Jedrick Wills

 (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

CeeDee Lamb went surprisingly high and Tristan Wirfs is also off the board, as well as Isaiah Simmons. I decide between Wills and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton. Wills has good size and is athletic enough, but the tape and the consistently winning one on one is the sell. Becton has the potential to be better but Wills should be very good and is the safer bet.

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10 Combine snubs the Lions should keep on their radar

Identifying 10 players from the 2020 draft class that were not invited to the NFL Combine but should still be on the Detroit Lions radar.

The NFL has released the 2020 NFL Combine participants list, and despite it containing 337 players, there were a few notable names not invited to Indianapolis for the event.

Just because a player didn’t receive an invite doesn’t mean the NFL isn’t still paying attention to them. Last year, players such as David Blough, Kevin Strong, and C.J. Moore were not invited to the 2019 NFL Combine, yet still earned a spot on the Detroit Lions active roster and contributed in significant ways throughout the year.

Here are 10 players who were snubbed from the 2020 NFL Combine that should still be on the Lions radar.

Reggie Corbin, RB, Illinois

After a 2018 season that saw him average an astounding 8.5 yards per rush and eclipse 1,000-yards rushing, Corbin saw his production drop in 2019, which likely let to him being left off the invitation list.

Corbin’s (est. 5-8, 201) speed, ability to set up defenders, and natural lateral movement skills are all easily at an NFL level, which makes him a perfect candidate for a team that uses a running back by committee approach. If the Lions don’t retain J.D. McKissic, Corbin could be a potential replacement.

Tavien Feaster, RB, South Carolina

Feaster (est. 5-11, 222) played three years at Clemson before transferring to South Carolina ahead of the 2019 season. With solid straight-line speed — especially for a back his size — and the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, there should be some appeal from NFL teams who are looking for a bigger third-down back.

Kevin Dotson, G, Louisana

Dotson (est. 6-4, 324) will likely be the first player drafted who wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, potentially even in the third or fourth round. Dotson is a powerful interior offensive lineman who is a force in both the run and pass game, earning a spot as an AP first-team All-American and grading out as Pro Football Focus’ top interior offensive lineman.

The Lions are familiar with the Ragin’ Cajuns’ program — they drafted Tracy Walker from there in the third round of the 2018 draft — and met with Dotson at the East-West Shrine game last month. He’s firmly on their radar.

Tyler Clark, DL, Georgia

Georgia’s scheme gives Clark (est. 6-3, 289) the needed 2-gapping experience — nose tackle John Atkins came from the same program — and his body-type, ability to shed defenders and get into the backfield makes him a candidate for the Lions’ big defensive end role. That spot is currently occupied by Da’Shawn Hand and the aforementioned Kevin Strong, but the Lions will be on the lookout for more depth on the defensive line.

Bravvion Roy, NT, Baylor

Speaking of defensive line depth, Roy has nose tackle size but is more of a pass rusher than anchor at the 0-technique. He brings a different style of play than what the Lions have in Damon Harrison and Atkins, but there’s some appeal to having a player like him in the rotation.

Mike Danna, EDGE, Michigan

A favorite of PFF from his time at Central Michigan, Danna (est. 6-2, 257) earned a 27-percent pass-rushing rate with the Chippewas, but he saw his play drop off a bit in 2019 playing in the Big Ten and in a rotational role along the Wolverines’ deep defensive line. In the NFL, Danna will likely begin his career as a pass-rushing specialist with upside and special teamer.

TJ Brunson, LB, South Carolina

Brunson (6-1, 219) was one of only two players to participate in the Senior Bowl, yet not receive an invite to the Combine. He is undersized for the Lions scheme, but his aggressiveness and ability to be physical against the run could earn him a role on special teams. If the Lions decide to move on from Miles Killebrew, Brunson could be a player who could compete to fill the vacancy.

Levonta Taylor, NB, Florida State

Taylor (est. 5-10, 186), a former 5-star recruit, was a big get for the Seminoles out of high school, but injuries and inability to stay at one position have impeded his draft stock. In the NFL, Taylor won’t fit every scheme, but for the Lions, he would fill a developmental nickel corner/safety role.

Jared Mayden, S, Alabama

Mayden (6-0, 201), the other Senior Bowler not invited to Indianapolis, is a reliable tackler capable of playing on defense as a corner/safety option in the slot but his path to the NFL is likely on special teams where he shined in college.

Myles Dorn, S, North Carolina

Dorn (est. 6-1, 198) is a rangy defender who can play deep as well as in the box. His game is drenched in aggressiveness, instincts, high energy, and is a reliable tackler which will make him a natural special teams player in the NFL.