Key Takeaways:
– Levelle Bailey chooses Denver Broncos due to proactive communication by Coach Sean Payton.
– Lack of personal outreach by Minnesota Vikings’ Head Coach Kevin O’Connell may have cost the team a valuable addition.
– Bailey brings a solid record of defensive success but also shortcomings in his game that the Vikings could have capitalized on.
In a recent development, Minnesota Vikings have missed out on potential addition to their defense, Levelle Bailey. Despite being regarded as an ideal destination for quarterbacks and defensive players due to their acclaimed infrastructure, the team couldn’t secure Bailey due to a lack of proactive communication from Head Coach Kevin O’Connell.
Creating Missed Opportunities
Renowned for their quarterback-friendly coaching staff, led by Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings have been in demand among prospects. However, the absence of a personal call from Coach O’Connell during the 7th round of draft may have cost the defense a chance at acquiring Bailey, the productive priority undrafted free agent. Other competitor teams, namely the Bengals, Panthers, and Broncos, also had their eyes on Bailey. However, Broncos’ Sean Payton went the extra mile and ensured his team secured Bailey by engaging him in personal communication.
Defense as a Plus-Landing Spot
Despite missing out on Bailey, the Vikings’ defense remains an attractive spot for prospects and established players. The team owes its defensive strength to Brian Flores, their innovative defensive coordinator. Flores’ expertise, combined with their revamped pass rush is expected to further bolster the mostly young secondary of the Vikings.
Previous Performance and Expectations
During the process, both Coach Payton and O’Connell were in contention for the same quarterback prospects. Following a trade with the New York Jets, the Vikings selected Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy as the No. 10 overall pick. On the other hand, the Broncos selected Oregon’s Bo Nix without any trading.
Post-draft evaluation by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein revealed Bailey as a productive inside linebacker with below-average size and average pursuit speed. Despite not being up to the mark in run defense, Bailey demonstrated natural effectiveness in coverage. A fifth-year senior from Fresno State, Bailey record over two seasons was impressive with 80-plus tackles and six interceptions, alongside memorable playmaking performances.
Looking Ahead: Building a Versatile Defense
As things stand, the Vikings have depth at linebacker compared to the previous season, thanks to the arrival of Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel in free agency. While Cashman is expected to replace the departed Jordan Hicks in base alignments next season, Van Ginkel with his edge-rushing skills is expected to enhance the team’s defense.
Despite missing out on Bailey, Coach O’Connell and the Vikings are still in a comfortable position, especially with rookie first-rounder Dallas Turner (No. 17 overall), who could let Coach Flores capitalize on Van Ginkel’s versatility. While it’s widely accepted that Bailey could have found a place in the Vikings’ roster, the team continues to progress positively despite the bump in the road.