Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado

There is a lot to like about a receiver like Laviska Shenault Jr. out of Colorado for a team thinking about adding a receiver in the second-round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He would be a versatile weapon for the Vikings as he has experience playing all three receiver spots.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com highlighted that Shenault Jr. is ‘a three-level threat with outstanding physical traits and ball skills.’ There is still room for improvement in the route-running department, but he projects as being ‘a high-end talent, but not a sure thing.’

“2 Live” is both talented and stoic as a three-level threat with outstanding physical traits and ball skills. He offers explosive playmaking potential with strength/wiggle to house a short catch-and-run throw or race and leap to pull in a bomb downfield. Shenault shines as a phone-booth bully who’s able to body up and create late windows while securing throws with vice-grip hands. Evaluators get excited by his talent as a direct-snap runner, but sometimes he’s too physical for his own good, which could bring his history of durability into play. Despite his traits and talent, there is work to be done as route-runner and coordinators need to determine how best to use him. He’s a high-end talent, but not a sure thing. An exciting ceiling but a lower floor.

Shenault Jr. was measured as being 6’1″ and 227 lbs with 31 7/8″ arms and 9″ hands. He didn’t participate in many of the on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine but did for the 40-yard dash (4.58) and bench press (17 reps).

It would make a lot of sense for the Vikings to select Shenault Jr. if they are seeking a type of receiver that can move around into different roles. Considering the general lack of talent outside of Adam Thielen, this is an option that might be too good to pass up if available.