With the 23rd pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (Florida Gators). Floyd shows great promise at times, and he was particularly dominant in the closing minutes of Florida's win over Florida State, but he also spent a lot of time moving backward and/or struggling to shed blocks.
Watching the tape of his performances against other top-tier schools like Georgia and Tennessee, it was often hard to see him as a clear-cut first rounder (much less a top ten pick). At 6'3″ and 305 pounds, Floyd fits best as a “three technique” in a 4-3 defense. He doesn't have the mass required to be an effective nose tackle – for comparative reference, Vince Wilfork measured 6'1″ and 325 pounds back in 2004 – and would likely wear down quickly in that role a la the Cowboys' Jay Ratliff.
If the Vikings can get him to more consistently play at the level he did when sealing the Gators' victory over the Seminoles, look out!
College statistics courtesy of Sports Reference.
Fantasy Impact
Playing alongside Kevin Williams in Minnesota, Floyd is going to be extra-motivated after falling from a presumed top-5 pick to 23rd overall. Without question, he's got his limitations, but he's got the potential to emerge as one of the NFL's most effective three-technique DTs. Minnesota is a good fit, and the draft drop will motivate him to produce at a high level right from the get-go.
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