Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
After a questionable 2012 campaign from their starting guards, the Minnesota Vikings made sure to address the issue on Saturday.
With the No. 196 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Vikings selected Jeff Baca, guard from UCLA.
What Baca brings to the table for the Vikings is an extremely physical approach to the game of football. Baca delivers an explosive punch at the point of attack, often allowing him to get the upper-hand in the run game. He consistently plays to the whistle and is relentless in both the run and pass games. Technique is what helps Baca overcome his physical limitations, using his wits and hands to win battles in the trenches. On top of everything else, Baca has the versatility and smarts to develop quickly into a starter.
Unfortunately, Baca isn’t a tremendous athlete and will face some struggles at the next level with bigger, faster defensive linemen. His biggest weakness is in pass protection, where his lack of foot speed and lateral quickness can hinder his ability to keep defenders contained. Even against the run, his aggressiveness doesn’t always compensate for his lack of overall power.
Baca joins former UCLA teammate Jeff Locke as part of the latest draft class for an up-and-coming Vikings team. They should both have the opportunity to contribute early in Minnesota this season as the team hopes to make a return trip to the playoffs. From Day 1, Baca should be able to push current right guard Brandon Fusco for snaps.
While there’s still some growing for Baca to do as an NFL-caliber talent, there’s a good chance that he could develop into one of the biggest steals of the 2013 draft class. He’s a sleeper who has the physical tools and tenacity to become a starter for the Vikings in the near future.
Gil Alcaraz IV is a Content Planner/NFL Featured Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GilAlcarazIV, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
