The Minnesota Vikings have chosen to use a pick on the tight end position in the 2021 NFL Draft, and it’s being used on a small-school player with a great deal of potential.
With the 168th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have selected Zach Davidson, a tight end from the University of Central Missouri.
You’re not reading his accomplishments wrong in the sidebar there. Davidson was a First-Team All-Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) performer as both a tight end and a punter. That’s a daily double you certainly don’t see every day.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Davidson as the #14 tight end in this year’s draft class. Here’s what Brugler has to say about Davidson:
Davidson is a very unique prospect due to his unorthodox journey to this point and he has yet to play his best football. However, he is currently at the basement level in terms of his understanding of route-running and coverage and needs extensive strength work. Overall, Davidson has splashy tape with his raw athleticism and receiving skills, but he needs a patient coaching staff willing to invest in his development. He projects as a draft-and-stash tight end and backup punter.
I don’t know about you, but I’m intrigued. He’s a small-school guy, but it certainly sounds like an interesting selection for the Vikings. And, hey, if he doesn’t work out as a tight end, they might even be able to put him at punter. How great is that?
Welcome to Minnesota, Zach Davidson!