Oregon defensive tackle Taki Taimani has a top-30 visit with the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota Vikings, ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, league sources tell Heavy.
Taimani, 6-foot-2 and 309 pounds, played for the Oregon Ducks for the past two seasons, after transferring from the rival Washington Huskies in January 2022.
Last season, Taimani had 22 tackles in all 14 of the Ducks' games and a total of 107 tackles in his collegiate career for Washingon and Oregon combined.
Although Taimani did not get a sack in college, he gained the respect of his teammates and emerged as a strong leader last season on the Ducks' defensive line.
Taimani said via DucksWire that he quietly contributed before becoming more vocal and taking on a leadership role. During Oregon's pro day, Taimani ran the 40-yard dash in 5.31 seconds and did 19 bench press reps.Vikings’ Defensive Line Needs Assessment
The Vikings are potentially in great need of adding quality depth to their defensive line, aside from possibly finding a franchise quarterback during the upcoming draft.
Harrison Phillips had a 44-tackle 2023 season, but apart from him, the only other nose tackle on the Vikings’ roster is 2023 fifth-round pick Jaquelin Roy, who had just eight tackles in 12 games as a rookie.
The Vikings may need to upgrade their run defense, considering the recent moves made by their division rivals.
Taimani is the kind of player who could improve the Vikings’ rushing defense by earning significant playing time in the front. According to Pro Football Focus, Taimani had a strong 81 run-defense grade and 75.7 overall mark for the 2023 season.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Preparing for QB Move?
The Vikings lost quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, but GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah appears to be positioning the Vikings to trade up for a quarterback in this year’s draft.
Having obtained the No. 23 overall pick from the Houston Texans, Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings now have two first-round selections which they could use to entice teams in the top five to acquire a top quarterback prospect. Minnesota is clearly getting ready for life after Cousins, even after signing Sam Darnold in free agency. Adofo-Mensah recently informed reporters that the Vikings' approach heading into free agency included plans for the quarterback position and emphasized their intent to build a championship-worthy roster.
The Vikings' level of aggression in trading up for a quarterback could significantly influence their draft strategy.
Oregon defensive tackle Taki Taimani is scheduled to visit the Minnesota Vikings, who are in the top 30, before the 2024 NFL Draft, according to sources familiar with the league. Taimani, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 309 pounds, played for the Oregon Ducks for the last two seasons, after moving from the rival Washington Huskies in January 2022. Matt Lombardo 🏈 @MattLombardoNFL · Follow #Oregon DT Taki […]
After acquiring the No. 23 overall pick in a trade with the Houston Texans, Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings are now armed with a pair of first-round selections that they could dangle in front of teams in the top-five picks to go and get one of the top quarterback prospects.
Minnesota clearly is preparing for life after Cousins, even after signing Sam Darnold in free agency.
“Our approach heading into free agency always included layers of contingencies regarding the quarterback position. We are moving forward with plans that allow us to continue building a roster that can compete for a championship,” Adofo-Mensah recently told reporters.
How aggressive the Vikings are able to be trading up for a quarterback, could dictate the Vikings’ course throughout the rest of the draft.
