With the NFL combine approaching, I have a handful of players I’m looking forward to seeing test. All are prospects I would, tentatively, love to see selected by the Vikings in the upcoming draft but need the forthcoming data to really make me fall in love. You can argue either side of the importance of this event but I think these specific prospects are the most interesting. Let’s get into it.

Kaleb Johnson

Full disclosure, I attended the University of Iowa and am a massive homer. Kaleb was the only reason to watch the Hawkeyes this year. He was an absolute beast. I know that. What I want to see from the combine may seem simplistic but I believe it will show the world what I already know. His tape speaks for itself but what I’m looking most forward to is the 40 time. Kaleb’s footwork and vision are apparent on film. He has plenty of explosive plays and what appears to be breakaway speed. I want to see that confirmed with a 40 in the 4.4 range. I think he is more than capable of this mark but we need to see it in Indianapolis.

Omarion Hampton

Much like Kaleb Johnson, what I want to see out of Hampton is his 40 time. I love his game, his size and his college production. If he can show 4.4 speed, that would go a long way to increasing said love for him. I’m already convinced he can be a bell cow bruiser kind of back at the next level. What I don’t know is if he can also be a big play threat.

Walter Nolan

Walter Nolan has been moving up the draft boards since the Senior Bowl. I’m still higher on him than most. I see him as a top 10 prospect in this draft. The combine workouts will show this…I think, but I want to know for sure. Nolan’s full schedule of drills could potentially vault him into the national consensus of what I already believe. I think he’s a freak athlete that can be a difference maker and top flight prospect. Selfishly, I want him to pooch these drills because if he performs as I think he will, there is no way he is available for the Vikings at 24.

Derrick Harmon

Derrick Harmon was very productive at Oregon this year. His PFF grades back that up. Both his run and pass rush grades are over 80 and his ‘True Pash Rush’ grade is over 90. I want to see his combine testing back this up. The Vikings desperately need an interior defensive lineman who can disrupt and get after the passer. I THINK that’s what Harmon can be but a strong showing this weekend could codify that belief.

Kenneth Grant

Jim Harbaugh once described Kenneth Grant as ‘a gift from the football gods’. At 6’3″ 339 pounds, it’s hard to argue with him. Grant is a MASSIVE human being who possesses athleticism typically reserved for people half his size. Many look at him as a run stuffing nose tackle. The combine could show the world that he can be even more than that.

Jahdae Barron

Jahdae Barron may be the last name on this list but I cannot stress how much I love this kid. He strikes me as the absolute perfect player for Brian Flores. What I want to see from Barron is different than the other players on this list. I don’t think he will test off the charts. I see him as a very average guy, athletically. I’m very fine with this. I want it, actually. Jahdae Barron can and has done everything. The idea of Flores being able to deploy him any and everywhere makes me light up like the tree at Rock Center.

Conclusion

I’m not sure how many of these prospects could potentially be available for the Vikings in the first round. Honestly, both running backs might be the only ones and I don’t want either at 24. None of that really matters. I’ll get into my draft loves/fits for the Vikings later this week but these are just the players I’m most looking forward to seeing test in Indy. Can’t wait to see how wrong or right I am with my evaluations. Leaning heavily towards being right. My self-confidence cannot be matched, let’s see what happens.