FanPost

Names Vikings Fans Don’t Want to Hear on Draft Day: Cody Whitehair

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Originally, I wanted to include Kansas State’s Cody Whitehair in my last piece as being a versatile fit on the Vikings offensive line; capable of possibly playing OT or OG at the next level. But after further research from an anatomical perspective, I have a hard time seeing a 6'3" 300lb rookie lineman with short arms beating out current LT Matt Kalil for the starting spot -- a position that usually requires long arms and an extra couple of inches/lbs. on their frame. For cross-reference purposes, the average size of offensive lineman in the first two rounds last year was 6’6" 320.
I'm not saying the Kansas State product won't be worth a first round pick for a team that needs more production from their interior line, I'm just saying that whoever does draft Whitehair shouldn't expect the multi-faceted jack-of-all-trades player that his reputation has led on after starting 51 games as the standout OT for the Wildcats. Due to his size and skill-set, Whitehair projects as an NFL guard right out the gate -- not as a tackle for either side or as a guard/tackle hybrid.
Offensive guard is a position the Vikings suddenly find themselves stacked at after signing former 49ers guard Alex Boone (6'7" 330lbs) in free agency. Assuming Boone will play on the left side, that leaves Brandon Fusco, Mike Harris and last year's #1 run-blocker in the NFL, Joe Berger (according to PFF) to battle it out at the RG spot; A situation that favors both depth and top-level performance at the position.
Although possessing strong hands and an effective ability to stick to his blocks, Whitehair's bench press numbers (16 reps) at the combine are another cause for concern. Now, I'm no physics major, but it should take less exertion for a short lever-arm to push 225 lbs. than their equally-as-strong counterparts who must perform the same exercise with a longer lever-arm. So, seeing as Whitehair's results underwhelmed, it tends to raise red flags for a position that literally asks players to perform that same single 'bench press' motion on EVERY SINGLE PLAY. Catch my drift?
Again, I'm not saying the All-Conference lineman won't make for a great NFL player, I'm just saying that he'll do it playing the guard position - and the Vikings need a tackle. Not a swing-tackle. Not a depth-tackle - and with Phil Loadholt, Andre Smith and T.J. Clemmings battling it out on the right side - not a right tackle. The Vikings' only need along the offensive line at this point is a top-tier LT capable of competing and beating out Matt Kalil for the starting spot. There are players later in this draft capable of that (cough, cough, projected 2nd rounder Jason Spriggs).
Cody Whitehair is not one of them.
Bryan Marx
backseatspielman.com
@cheeksmarxigras



This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.