{"id":840249,"date":"2025-04-10T04:12:17","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T09:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/10\/vikings-connected-to-rookie-with-rare-athleticism\/"},"modified":"2025-04-10T04:12:17","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T09:12:17","slug":"vikings-connected-to-rookie-with-rare-athleticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/10\/vikings-connected-to-rookie-with-rare-athleticism\/","title":{"rendered":"Vikings Connected to Rookie with \u201cRare Athleticism\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Football <\/p>\n

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Oct 28, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen JJ Pegues (89) runs the ball during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n

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Oct 28, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen JJ Pegues (89) runs the ball during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The middle rounds need love, too. <\/p>\n

Vikings Connected to Rookie with \u201cRare Athleticism\u201d<\/h4>\n

That\u2019s the word from Pro Football Focus<\/em> this week, an outfit that named ideal team fits for rookies outside of Round 1. The 2025 NFL Draft is about two weeks away, and the Minnesota Vikings will pick at least four times during the three-day period. <\/p>\n

And per PFF, Minnesota should do its homework on defensive tackle JJ Pegues, a man with \u201crare athleticism\u201d from Ole Miss. <\/p>\n

Football PFF\u2019s JJ Pegues Endorsement for Vikings<\/h2>\n

The current Minnesota defense, led by boss Brian Flores, often embraces player versatility \u2014 men who can play more than one position. Safety Josh Metellus<\/a> can attest. <\/p>\n

So, PFF\u2019s Mason Cameron wasn\u2019t shy about calling Pegues, a versatile defensive lineman, a fit for Minnesota. He wrote<\/a>, \u201cVersatility is Pegues\u2019 calling card. He took snaps all over the defensive line, as well as in goal-line packages on offense, in college. The Ole Miss fan-favorite is a relentless, high-energy player, evidenced by his high-percentile grades as a run defender (87th) and pass rusher on true pass sets (84th).\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGiven the creativity of Brian Flores and Kevin O\u2019Connell, there\u2019s no better landing spot to make full use of Pegues\u2019 skill set.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Sep 7, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen JJ Pegues (38) and defensive back Jadon Canady (28) react after a defensive stop during the first half against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_24179311.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=786,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_24179311.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_24179311.jpg” alt>

Sep 7, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen J. Pegues (38) and defensive back Jadon Canady (28) react after a defensive stop during the first half against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Vikings fans often pour all attention in Round 1 of the draft instead of the whole process, but outside of the 1st-Round, Pegues would indeed make sense for Flores\u2019 defense. <\/p>\n

Pegues lives on the Consensus Big Board<\/a> at No. 141 as of April 9th, meaning Minnesota could pluck him in Round 5 or 6. <\/p>\n

Football Already a Mock Draft Connection<\/h2>\n

PFF\u2019s Pegues-to-Vikings angle isn\u2019t the first mention of the draft cycle. CBS Sports<\/em> mock-drafted him to Minnesota earlier this week. <\/p>\n

Although CBS <\/em>Sports<\/em>\u2018<\/span> Cody Benjamin \u201creached\u201d for Pegues in his Vikings mock \u2014 he chose him for Minnesota in Round 3 \u2014 the connection is there, nevertheless. <\/p>\n

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Jan 30, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; The East team celebrates after East defensive lineman JJ Pegues of Ole Miss (89) intercepts a pass during the second half against the West at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_25306345.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_25306345.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_25306345.jpg” alt>

Jan 30, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; The East team celebrates after East defensive lineman J. Pegues of Ole Miss (89) intercepts a pass during the second half against the West at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThe Vikings committed big bucks to Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave on the defensive interior, but both veterans are over 30. And incumbent starter Harrison Phillips isn\u2019t far off. In other words, Brian Flores\u2019 front could use some developmental pieces,\u201d Benjamin explained<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cPegues had inconsistencies at Ole Miss, but his superpower is his versatility, offering both the compact size (6-2, 309) and quickness to move along the defensive line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Georgia safety Malaki Starks represented Minnesota\u2019s 1st-Round pick in Benjamin\u2019s mock, a semi-popular theory with the draft 15 days out. <\/p>\n

Football JJ Pegues\u2019 Scouting Report<\/h2>\n

Pegues is 6\u20192\u2033 and 310 pounds, a former tight end turned defensive tackle. He\u2019ll need pass-rushing refinement \u2014 hence the non-Round-1 stock \u2014 but the Vikings\u2019 coaching staff could obviously help with that.<\/p>\n

NFL Draft Buzz<\/em> describes<\/a> his scouting report: \u201cA powerful interior defender with rare athletic traits, Pegues transitioned from tight end to defensive tackle after transferring from Auburn to Ole Miss in 2022. His movement skills and explosiveness immediately stand out on film, particularly in his ability to fire off the ball and penetrate the backfield. The former skill position background manifests in his exceptional lateral mobility and pursuit ability, traits that separate him from traditional defensive tackles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking primarily from 0 to 3-technique alignments, Pegues displays natural leverage and the functional strength to hold his ground against single blocks while showing development against double teams.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Oct 7, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen JJ Pegues (89) attempts to get into the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_21601680.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_21601680.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_21601680.jpg” alt>

Oct 7, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen J. Pegues (89) attempts to get into the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Vikings fans have sought impactful three-technique DT prospects for years. Pegues, at least as a mid-round option, would inspire some long-term hope.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis initial quickness and agility allow him to defeat zone blocking schemes, though his hand technique remains a work in progress. In the run game, he consistently maintains gap discipline while demonstrating the lateral quickness to work down the line and make plays outside his primary gap,\u201d NFB added.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat sets Pegues apart is his proven effectiveness as a short-yardage specialist on offense, where his athleticism and instincts have made him a consistent threat in goal-line situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Football Planning DT for the Future<\/h2>\n

Minnesota certainly hasn\u2019t ignored the defensive tackle position this offseason. In March, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah reconstructed the interior of his defensive line by signing Jonathan Allen from the Washington Commanders and Javon Hargrave of the San Francisco 49ers.<\/p>\n

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Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jonathan-Allen-3-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=667,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jonathan-Allen-3-1.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jonathan-Allen-3-1.jpg” alt=”vikings” >

Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Adofo-Mensah also re-upped with upstart DT Jalen Redmond<\/a>, who performed wonderfully in 2024 following a stint in the UFL. <\/p>\n

Alas, the defensive tackle position has been prioritized after years of mediocre solutions. Pegues would represent the next step, a youthful one. <\/p>\n

Football Other Mid-to-Late-Round Options?<\/h2>\n

If the Vikings indeed seek the middle section of the draft for iDL aid but don\u2019t draft Pegues, these men are also options after Round 3:<\/p>\n