Welcome to SKOL Search!
This series will be your guide to the 2023 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and both interior and edge pass rusher.
The Vikings are slated to have four picks before compensatory selections are awarded and they need to make the most out of them.
Background
Zay Flowers
- Boston College
- Height-5’10”
- Weight-177 lbs
- Fourth-year Senior
- 3-Star recruit per 247 Sports
- Stats: 200 receptions, 3,056 yards, 29 touchdowns
- Games watched: Pitt 2020, Duke 2020, Clemson 2021, Louisville 2022, NC State 2022
Strengths
Flowers is a talented player that is also extremely intelligent. His route running is crisp and explosive while taking advantage of the defenders’ leverage. He attacks the blind spot extremely well, forcing the defender to flip their hips away from the play and has created upwards of 40+ yards of separation.
As a pure route runner, Flowers runs crisp, smooth routes. He has the requisite speed and quickness to create separation. He has the wiggle in the open field which helps him create space and get yards after the catch. The wiggle also translates into making men miss in the open field.
Flowers excels with deep balls. He does a good job tracking it and can high point it when necessary. Catches the ball well with his hands away from his body. He also has a nice release package that is varied.
Speed is a plus trait for Flowers. Has enough to pull away from defenders and get the edge.
Weaknesses
Flowers’ size will be a concern for him long-term. Listed at just 5’10” and 177, he has a smaller frame that leaves questions about how much punishment he can take at the next level. While he played plenty on the outside at Boston College, he might be a slot-only player due to his size
He has a tendency to catch the ball with his body a little more than you would like to see. Has a tendency to do so in jump ball situations, which is less than ideal.
Overview
| Hands | 8.2/10 |
| Release | 8.8/10 |
| Route Running | 13.2/15 |
| Separation | 12.9/15 |
| Contested Catches | 8.2/10 |
| Tracking | 8.6/10 |
| Body Control | 8.8/10 |
| YAC Ability | 9.1/10 |
| Agility | 8.7/10 |
| Grade | 86.5/100 First Round |
Flowers is an excellent prospect that arguably could have gone as high as he will in 2023 if he had come out last season. Instead, he chose to run it back with Phil Jurkovec and while it didn’t go well, he is still a great prospect.
The size could end up being a factor as to why he doesn’t get prioritized by the Vikings, but he would be a great fit as both a receiver who can stretch the field and also be successful in the intermediate game.
