Could Vikings rookie safety Jayron Kearse start in 2016
The Minnesota Vikings have been continuously getting better since the arrival of head coach Mike Zimmer. Zimmer has changed the mentality and focus of this team to one that is driven and eager to succeed. He has brought in guys who exude those qualities and have an extra edge. Zimmer hopes to have found another in the seventh round of April’s draft, when the Vikings selected Jayron Kearse, with their last pick on his behest.
Over the last few years the Vikings have quietly made a surge defensively, ascending the ranks, but there is always room for improvement. The defending NFC North Champions have been in search of a long term fix at the safety position opposite Harrison Smith. They may finally have found the answer in Kearse.
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On the week of July fourth, everyone likes a little booming. The same goes in football, especially for the Vikings, who are loaded with explosive playmakers on both sides of the ball. They potentially have another in the late drafted Jayron Kearse.
Of course, Kearse is no juggernaut, at least not yet. In fact, most fans have little idea of who he is, or where he comes from. So for those uneducated with the rookie safety, class has just begun.
Despite being a seventh round pick, Kearse has a chance to make a difference as a rookie and earn a starting role on the Vikings squad. Zimmer had actually been advocating for him for many rounds, before eventually being selected by the team.
Kearse came to Minnesota as a product of Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers. The Tigers’ secondary was one of college football’s most dominant and Kearse’s role on the team helped lead Clemson to a National Championship appearance. He was a major cog in their secondary; racking up 164 combined tackles in his career, along with seven interceptions.
Do not be sold on stats alone. Kearse’s impact on the game cannot be solely measured in numbers. He has the ability to travel from sideline to sideline quickly, using long strides to close passing lanes with ease. Kearse also attacks the run well. He has a feel for cutting through running lanes and making a play on the the ball carrier.
What makes Kearse so exciting at this level are his pure athletic abilities. He may be one of the most physically gifted athletes of the entire 2016 draft class and that is going to allow him to wreak havoc in the NFL. Kearse has great game speed and his physical attributes will help him take a step ahead of others. His potential is tantalizing and that is probably one of the biggest reasons why Zimmer and the Vikings went after him.
If our word isn’t good enough, take a look at what former teammate, Sammy Watkins had to say about him:
I don't know what was said or what happened but @JayronKearse8 should never be drafted this late dude is freak let's be real
— King Me (@sammywatkins) April 30, 2016
If that is still not enough, then you must be mistaken. Watkins said it best, Kearse “is a freak of nature.” Standing at an astronomical six-feet-four-inches tall, he is a physically imposing threat to any receiver in the NFL.
With that being said, consistency will be paramount for Kearse at this level. He dazzles athletically and has an advantage others simply cannot match. If the young rookie can stay focused and work on his fundamentals, he could end up being the steal of the draft. The Vikings might have a dime in Kearse.
It’s safe to say, Zimmer knows what he is doing. What better hands for Kearse to fall into than the ones who advocated for him most? Zimmer has been known as a defensive back guru and has developed some of the NFL’s best safeties and corners. Similar to what he did in Cincinnati with George Iloka, Zimmer is working with Kearse directly, to get him ready for the 2016 season.
Kearse will have perhaps the best supporting cast in the NFL and because of that, he could develop quicker than many may think. There is a very real possibility that he is Minnesota’s starting safety, opposite of Harrison Smith, by the end of the season.
Austin Erwin writes for cover32 and covers the Minnesota Vikings. He can be followed on Twitter @austin_erwin. Like and follow vikings32 on on Facebook and Twitter.
The post Could Vikings rookie safety Jayron Kearse start in 2016 appeared first on Cover32.
