Right now, on Vikings Rookie Spotlight, we’ll be taking a look at rookie defensive lineman Christian Ballard from your College of Iowa.
The Vikings picked Ballard inside fourth round, with the 106th overall decide.
Ballard was ranked 11th amid defensive ends in his draft class, but his real benefit comes with his versatility that allows him to play within the inside of also.
Right after actively playing his significant school ball in Lawrence, Kansas, Ballard moved on for the College of Iowa wherever he was recruited to perform limited conclusion. Right after his freshman year, Ballard designed the transition to defensive, but was a bit overshadowed by DE Adrian Clayborne, who was drafted through the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ballard was a three-year starter for the duration of him time at Iowa.
Ballard has superb dimension at 6’4″ and 288 lbs. and is praised for his freakish athleticism. His lessen body strength and ability to drop his shoulder minimal, when rushing, makes it possible for him to often overpower offensive tackles.
Some knocks in opposition to Ballard are that he definitely struggles when confronted using a double-team, specially when he’s when playing around the inside of. This might be a huge concern to the Vikings as they will almost certainly have Ballard play a lot more tackle than stop looking at Minnesota already has Ray Edwards and Jared Allen. Yet another knock versus Ballard is usually that his seemingly “freakish athletic ability” only arrives out all through one-on-one drills, and tends to vanish through actual games.
Ballard’s Highlight video clip from Iowa
In accordance to pre-draft examination, Ballard would’ve been very best suited to perform DE in the 3-4 program. Since the Vikings run a 4-3, Ballard could use his versatility to perform DT as a substitute, however the transition can be tougher than one could expect.
The way in which I see it, Ballard features a ton of do the job to accomplish in education camp previous to he is often considered a viable candidate for just a starting up position while using Vikings. He will also have to make certain that he solutions individuals queries about his motor and athleticism prior to the coaches will give him a real possibility to become a long-term option.
All of that becoming stated, desperate instances phone for desperate steps and while using the Williams Wall currently being likely suspended for the very first four game titles with the season, Ballard could perform himself into a beginning purpose for the people early video games in advance of Pat and Kevin Williams return.
It really is tough for just about any rookie to obtain first rate enjoying time within the Vikings defensive line on account of how sturdy it’s got been customarily. Ballard could rotate in, but I don’t see him currently being a high-impact player for the Vikings, at the very least not at first.
With the following installment of Vikings Rookie Spotlight, we’ll take a search at rookie DB Brandon Burton in the College of Utah.
Source: Bleacherreport
christian ballard, NFL, christian, ballard, minnesota, vikings, minnesota vikings, rookie, defensive, player, lineman
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