Minnesota has a plethora of draft picks at the moment and the team will probably get even more before April due to compensatory picks.
It’s a good thing the Vikings have options in the draft, considering how the team will likely need to replace key veterans with rookies. And the Senior Bowl provides a great opportunity to scout the next draft class. At least, Minnesota GM Rick Spielman seems to think so.
“This game has such a major influence because this is the only time this offseason we’re going to see these football players doing what we’re watching right now, individual drills … and the other big thing I think people do not realize is that we’re doing in-person interviews,” Spielman said, per SiriusXM NFL Radio (H/T Vikings.com) “So it’s four days of interviews from 7 to 11:15 at night, but that’s the only chance you’re going to do it in-person. Because everything from this event going forward is going to be virtual. So, it was a big point of emphasis for us to make sure we do everything we can to get the work done we need to get done down here.”
Spielman also mentioned how the Senior Bowl gives the team an opportunity to evaluate players who opted out of the 2020 season.
“We’re looking at kids who played in ’19, they decided to opt out this year, a couple of them did decide to play in the Senior Bowl, so you’re going to get a glimpse of where they’re at,” Spielman said.
The Vikings will have some glaring needs regardless of who the team cuts this offseason. Marvin Wilson is a Senior Bowl player the team should covet, according to Bleacher Report.