Vikings' Day 3 draft capsules

The Vikings on Saturday brought in six new players to the organization via the draft. Here's a closer look.

April 29, 2018 at 3:38AM
Tulane defensive end Ade Aruna (87) celebrates as Duke tight end Braxton Deaver (89) walks off the field after Tulane recovered a fumble in the first half of an NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) ORG XMIT: LAGH105
Ade Aruna: Defensive end from Tulane (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Jalyn Holmes

Defensive line, Ohio State

Drafted: fourth round (102nd overall)

Holmes, the long-armed Ohio State defensive end, is another intriguing athlete for the Vikings defense. His 34-inch arms are just 1/4 inch shorter than defensive end Danielle Hunter. However, Holmes is about 30 pounds heavier than Hunter. So defensive tackle is in his future with the Vikings. He'll need plenty of refining at his new position. Holmes wasn't a standout for the Buckeyes, amassing 12 tackles for a loss and four sacks in two seasons as a contributor.

Tyler Conklin

Tight end, Central Michigan

Drafted: fifth round (157th overall)

Conklin missed the first five games of his 2017 senior season because of a fractured foot, finishing with 35 catches for 505 yards in just eight games. He's one of the draft's most agile tight ends, posting top-five finishes in the three-cone drill (7.13), 20-yard shuttle (4.23) and the 60-yard shuttle (11.43) at the combine. At 6-3 and 254 pounds, he has the size and athleticism to be an all-around contributor for Vikings.

Daniel Carlson

Kicker, Auburn

Drafted: fifth round (167th overall)

The Vikings traded up to draft a kicker in Daniel Carlson, the reigning SEC Special Teams Player of the Year. He has got a big leg, which Vikings special teams coordinator Mike Priefer covets, having hit field goals from 55-plus yards in college. Carlson hit 4 of 8 attempts from beyond 50 yards last fall, when his career-low 74.2 field goal percentage was affected by three blocked kicks. Carlson will compete with incumbent kicker Kai Forbath for the job.

Colby Gossett

Guard, Appalachian State

Drafted: sixth round (213th overall)

A four-year starter at right guard, Gossett (6-5, 311 pounds) comes to the Vikings at a position of need. The retirement of Joe Berger this offseason means Gossett is in the mix for a spot on the Vikings' regular season depth chart. Gossett made 46 straight starts at Appalachian State and got work at both left guard and center during the predraft process.

Ade Aruna

Defensive end, Tulane

Drafted: sixth round (218th overall)

Aruna is the latest hyper-athletic addition to the Vikings defensive line. He had a strong combine, measuring with massive hands (10 5/8") and the top vertical (38.5") and broad jump (128") among all defensive linemen. He had his best year as a junior with 10 tackles for a loss and five sacks. The developmental addition could one day factor into the Vikings' rotation.

Devante Downs

Linebacker, Cal

Drafted: seventh round (225th overall)

Downs provides inside linebacker depth for the Vikings, who will be without reserve Kentrell Brothers at the start of the season due to a four-game suspension. Downs (6-3, 250 pounds) is coming off a season-ending injury that went undisclosed at Cal. He still finished with 65 tackles, second for the Bears, and earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention.

ANDREW KRAMMER

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