The top Vikings top draft choices, such as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and linebacker Anthony Barr, have garnered all the attention from the rookie class, but defensive tackle Shamar Stephen has quietly been a solid contributor all season.
Stephen, a seventh round pick out of Connecticut, has started the last two games with defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd battling a knee injury. Despite getting the start at the three-technique spot, Stephen continued to rotate at nose tackle as well against the Panthers and Packers.
"We've been doing it since OTAs till now, so I feel real comfortable with it," Stephen said. "I've been doing it for months on end now. I feel comfortable with the technique and balancing from three [technique] to nose, so it doesn't matter."
Defensive coordinator George Edwards said Stephen has gotten better with the more snaps he's received, giving the coaching staff and his colleagues more trust in the rookie to play a critical backup role on the defensive line.
"He's just stayed consistent throughout the course of the year, so we have no problem putting him in there in the run to be able to play the run," Edwards said.
