This is the fifth year I have done SKOL Search with the sole mission being to find NFL Draft prospects for the Minnesota Vikings. Throughout the entire process, this will be the most comprehensive draft guide with a focus on the Vikings.
Each year, I scout incoming draft prospects from a neutral perspective and try to see how they could fit with Minnesota. This will be general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's fourth NFL Draft and we have a good sense of what he likes in a prospect.
Going into the offseason, the Vikings have just three official selections with a fourth likely coming with a compensatory selection in the third round. However they choose to use them, they need to make the most out of their limited resources.
Mike Green
- Marshall
- Height: 6040
- Weight: 248
- Class: Fourth-year Junior
- Recruiting info: 3-star recruit in 2021 class per 247 Sports
- Stats: 131 tackles (69 solo), 33.0 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, 93 pressures, 2 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery, 4 forced fumbles
- Games watched: Ohio State 2024, Louisiana-Monroe 2024, Southern Miss 2024
Strengths
- Pass Rush Moves: Green has a bevy of pass rush moves in his arsenal and knows how to use them. He can beat you with speed. spin, ghost, and swim moves. That bevy of moves allows him to attack blockers with intent.
- Bend: Green isn't the biggest edge rusher, but he thrives with speed and quickness. He can bend the arc really well and his ability to do so allows him to also disengage on run blocks and spin into gaps during run plays.
- Explosiveness: Green is very explosive. He gets off the ball extremely quick and can burst by any blocker and closes space quickly.
Weaknesses
- Play Strength: Green is a really good speed rusher, but he's way too easy to displace in the run game. He can't consistently set the edge, which causes major issues in the running game.
- Size/Frame: Green's play strength isn't the only thing hindering Him. His frame is not ideal for an edge rusher. He looks slender, and his frame could easily be strengthened.
- Scheme Specific: Due to his size concerns, Green isn't going to be for everyone. It will take the right scheme to maximize him as a wide nine or a standup rusher in some 3-4 schemes.
Overview
| Trait | Grade |
|---|---|
|
Bend |
8.5/10 |
|
Quickness/Burst |
14.1/15 |
|
Finesse |
4.0/5 |
|
Power |
2.9/5 |
|
Counters |
8.0/10 |
|
Awareness |
8.3/10 |
|
Run Defense |
7.5/10 |
|
Versatility |
7.8/10 |
|
Size/Length |
11.8/15 |
|
Tackling |
8.1/10 |
|
Grade |
81.0/100 Second Round Grade |
Green is a fascinating prospect. He has two years at Marshall with solid production and a very explosive profile. He attacks the offensive line in multiple ways with a variety of moves. If you get him in the right system, there is a lot to like about him, even with the strength concerns.
Green could be an interesting addition to the Vikings, but they already have a player with his general archetype in Dallas Turner. If he's somehow available in round three (he won't be), the Vikings should jump on it because his pass-rush ability is special.
