No Section

Highlights from Vikings GM Rick Spielman after Day 2 of the NFL Draft

May 2, 2015 at 4:33AM

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman spoke the media after Day 2 of the NFL Draft on Friday. The Vikings made two selections, UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks in the second round and LSU defensive Danielle Hunter in the third round, while trading back in the third twice to collect a fifth-rounder from the Lions and a sixth-rounder from the Chiefs. They have six picks remaining heading into Day 3 on Saturday.

Here's what Spielman had to say about Kendricks, Hunter and Day 3 of the draft

On drafting Kendricks with the 45^th overall pick

We had a lot of activity on teams trying to trade up. We felt he was the most instinctive linebacker in this draft. As we talked through with our coaches, we feel he can play either Will or Mike [linebacker positions]. He's very good in coverage. He's very instinctive against the run. He's not overly big as far as size, but he's still over 6-feet and about 235 pounds. He ran well and plays very heavy handed to shed, get off blocks and really locate the ball. He has great range from sideline-to-sideline. He has the athletic skillset to be a three-down backer. We were kind of surprised that he fell to us where we were at.

On what separated Kendricks from the other linebackers in the draft

I think just watching how he played the game — his instincts, his ability to be a three-down linebacker, his ability to play multiple positions, his character and background that we felt comfortable with and his intelligence. And I know Zimmer stresses that we want to have smart, tough, passionate football players. He fit every one of those boxes.

On why the Vikings didn't ask former UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr about Kendricks

He tweets too much. You know how I am about Twitter.

On selecting Hunter with the 88^th overall pick

We met with him at the Combine, myself and [defensive coordinator] George Edwards went down and worked him out at LSU's pro day. He's a physical specimen. He's 6-5 and change and weighed 252 [pounds]. We measured his arms at 35 ½ [inches], and I think he had a 10'10 broad jump, which is extremely unique for his size and his position. …He plays extremely hard. He's raw. He's a project that I know we're going to have to work with.

On whether Hunter will project as a defensive end or linebacker

We look at him as a defensive end. When you watch his workout at the combine and you watch his workout at his pro day, he's an incredible athlete when we put him through drops and coverage. He's an Anthony Bar type athlete. Maybe not as fluid, but he has the ability to do a lot of things depending on how he develops and where our coaches see him.

On holding six picks in Day 3 of the draft

We've got a pretty good amount where we can move up and down now. We feel there's some pretty good depth, especially on the offensive side of the ball. So we may look to address some of those needs, but we're always going to stick to our board if we can continue to add good football players, regardless of position, we will definitely do that.

On whether the Vikings can address offensive needs in Day 3

We're not going to force it if it's not there, but I think there's some depth there that we can add. But we do have some good, young talent on our offensive line and some guys I'm anxious to see how they've progressed. If there's an offensive lineman or two that we can potentially add, there are some guys we've targeted at certain points in the draft, we'll look to address it if it presents itself. But we're not going to force the issue. We're not going to reach. We're going to continue to take the best football players.