Vikings Host Kenyon Sadiq for Top 30 Visit

As the Minnesota Vikings complete the last of their prospect meetings ahead of the NFL Draft beginning April 26th, it was reported that the Vikings hosted tight end Kenyon Sadiq for a Top 30 visit. This is perhaps a bit more notable than other Top 30 visits because Sadiq is expected to be drafted in the first round and may be available when the Vikings pick at #18 overall. Sadiq (pronounced Sa-deek) is the only prospect expected to go in the first round the Vikings have hosted for a Top 30 visit.

Vikings Interest Real or a Smokescreen?

The Vikings have been widely linked to safety Dillon Thieneman with their first-round pick, so meeting with Sadiq could, if nothing else, cast some doubt on who the Vikings may select with their first-round pick and serve as a potentially effective smokescreen.

On the other hand, Sadiq has the skillset the Vikings may be looking for.

Sadiq is 6’3”, 241 pounds and in terms of overall physique, is the Danielle Hunter of tight ends. Highly athletic with a 4.39” 40 and 43.5” vertical (both better than Justin Jefferson), Sadiq can function as a WR3, inline tight end, or H-back. However, he’s unlikely to maximize his success if he’s mainly an inline tight end. He’s not really big enough as a blocker to function well in that role. But with Josh Oliver in that role, Sadiq could line up in the slot or backfield and create matchup problems and confusion for defenses as to his role on a given play. Is he WR3? Is he a lead blocker? Is he a running back? Is he a tight end? He’s a decent blocker, including lead blocker, and has the PFF grades to back that up. He also has been effective at all three levels of the route tree, although there is room for improvement both as a receiver and blocker.

This is the type of tight end the Vikings have shown interest with other prospect meetings, including Top 30 visits with Oscar Delp and Lance Mason, expected to go in the mid-rounds and late rounds respectively.

But Sadiq’s speed and versatility effectively blurs the difference between 11 personnel and 12 personnel and makes him an offensive weapon who could stay on the field all the time in different roles that makes it more difficult for defenses to anticipate what the play is.

Drafting Sadiq might also reduce the need to draft a wide receiver later in the draft. It could also potentially lead to T.J. Hockenson being traded, which would save $10 million in cap space if designated post-June 1st.

We’ll have to wait and see what the Vikings do with their first pick in the draft, but there is also an argument that strictly on a best-player-available basis, Sadiq could be the best player available when the Vikings are on the clock at 18. If the Vikings were to take Sadiq at 18, that could potentially lead to the Vikings using more of their Day Two draft picks on defensive players. The Vikings have met with several defensive backs and tackles that could be drafted on Day Two, along with a couple linebackers that could be drafted in the second round.

Stay tuned.

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