Minnesota Vikings ‘feel good’ about health of draft pick Andrew Booth from Clemson
Andrew Booth Jr. slipped and the Minnesota Vikings pounced.
Booth, Clemson’s All-ACC cornerback, was extensively regarded a initially-round NFL Draft talent but not picked on Thursday’s opening night, seemingly due to the fact of injury worries. He’s had two hernia surgeries in the previous yr, a single last month, and did not participate in the NFL Merge or Clemson’s Pro Working day.
But right after two other cornerbacks were taken in the very first seven picks of the 2nd spherical, 6 whole off the board, Minnesota traded up Friday night to get Booth with the 10th selection, No. 42 in general.
“I knew that the professional medical detail may well participate in a job in how prolonged I would stay on the board,” Booth said. “But it was all very good. Really happy to be here and quite satisfied my goals came true.”
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Vikings normal manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah claimed they did intensive study about Booth’s overall health and ended up not involved.
“He was way too excellent of a chance to go up,” Adofo-Mensah stated. “We talked to the surgeon, all the individuals who ended up in his surgery and his rehab. We truly feel superior about the condition.”
Minnesota traded down twice in advance of transferring back up for Booth. The Vikings initial gave up the No. 12 and No. 46 picks to Detroit for 32, 34 and 66. The Lions desired to draft Alabama huge receiver Jameson Williams. Minnesota then gave 34 to Eco-friendly Bay for 53 and 59. The Packers preferred to draft North Dakota Condition broad receiver Christian Watson.
With cornerbacks Roger McCreary from Auburn likely 35th to the Tennessee Titans and Kyler Gordon from Washington heading 39th to the Chicago Bears, the Vikings produced their shift. They gave 53, 77 and 192 to the Indianapolis Colts for 42 and 122.
Booth was projected in most mock drafts as the third- or fourth-finest cornerback in the draft. He was at the rear of Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner of Cincinnati, Derek Stingley Jr. of LSU and on some lists Trent McDuffie of Washington. They all went in the initial round, Stingley 3rd to the Seattle Seahawks, Gardner fourth to the New York Giants and McDuffie at 21 to the Kansas City Chiefs. A different cornerback, Kaiir Elam of Florida, went two picks later on to the Buffalo Expenses.
It’s a deep draft for corners, as many as 30 projected to be picked in the seven-spherical party, so Booth was not far too unhappy in heading early in the second.
“I’m tremendous-enthusiastic, man,” he said. “This is a life time dream coming accurate. I never have as well many words. I’m just all set to play the game that I adore once more and perform at the best stage with fantastic overall health. I feel the greatest I have felt in a extensive time, so I’m just all set to place the pads on and get to it.”
Booth in a few seasons experienced 5 interceptions, 10 go breakups and a fumble return for a touchdown. He became Clemson’s 3rd defensive back again drafted by Minnesota since 2016, when the Vikings got Mackensie Alexander in the 2nd spherical and Jayron Kearse in the seventh.
“They are obtaining, first of all a excellent man or woman with a terrific spirit to him,” Clemson mentor Dabo Swinney mentioned. “From a soccer standpoint, they are getting a unusual corner. Prolonged, explosive, quickly, actual physical tackler. Wonderful ball skills. Extremely instinctive guy and, I think, a male that assists the staff suitable away.”
Booth stated he believes he can be a starter as a rookie. He will most likely have to defeat out third-calendar year participant Cameron Dantzler, a 3rd-round player from Mississippi Condition.
“I just truly feel like I am that person,” Booth said. “A great deal of folks have their own standpoint on it or whichever. … I’m going to have to come in, get the job done tough and gain that commencing spot.”
Todd Shanesy handles Clemson athletics for the United states Today network.
This posting originally appeared on Greenville News: NFL Draft: Vikings no wellbeing considerations with Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr.