With the 72nd pick in the third round, the #Vikings select DE Scott Crichton. pic.twitter.com/GINQIytVQf
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 10, 2014
With the 96th pick in the third round, the #Vikings select RB Jerick McKinnon. pic.twitter.com/7KOUsQRFFz
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 10, 2014
The Minnesota Vikings picked a defensive end and a running back with their two third-round draft picks on day two of the NFL Draft, Friday evening.
With their first pick in the third round (72nd overall) the Vikings selected Oregon State defensive end Scott Crichton. Then with their pick later in the third (96th overall) the Vikings picked Georgia Southern running back Jerick McKinnon.
Crichton is 6-foot-3, 273 pounds. According to The Viking Age, scouting reports compare Crichton to Brian Robison. He may not be the most talented guy in the world, but will grind and will always be revved up.
Also, Crichton is Oregon State's all-time leader in forced fumbles (10) – Coach Zimmer will like that. #Vikings
— Mike Wobschall (@wobby) May 10, 2014
In 13 starts at left defensive end, Crichton had 47 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He also batted three passes and forced three fumbles.
Crichton elected to leave Oregon State a year early to support his family.
McKinnon is regarded as a combination of speed and power. He is 5-foot-9, 209 pounds. McKinnon played both quarterback and running back in his time at Georgia Southern.
The #Vikings selected Georgia Southern RB Jerick McKinnon, who played quarterback in college and helped lead that Florida upset.
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) May 10, 2014
McKinnon could be the backup to Adrian Peterson, the Vikings are looking for after Toby Gerhardt signed with Jacksonville.
According to 1500 ESPN, McKinnon ran a 4.41 40-yard dash, he also had a vertical leap of 40.5 inches and put up 32 reps on the 225lb bench.
McKinnon was the quarterback in Georgia Southern’s triple-option offense through his junior year, before moving to running back last year.
The Vikings do not have a fourth-round pick, but two have two picks in the fifth round.
