Rick Spielman started this afternoon's press conference with an emotional and detailed story he experienced through a family member about Trae Waynes and the kind of “high character” person he is off the field. The short yet powerful story was specifically around Waynes spending a majority of his time at a hospital near the draft location in Chicago visiting with sick children, and one specific child who was entering surgery soon there after. The child just so happened to be (bare with me) Spielman’s brother-in-law’s friends daughter. The decision to pass on pre draft parties and celebrations went to the wayside as Waynes let his actions speak louder than his words as the new Vikings cornerback has been praised for his high-character and decision making by Spielman and Zimmer throughout the process.
As Waynes stood up to the podium and hugged his new coach, there was a sense of calmness that he brought to the stage with his comfortable yet assuring demeanor. Waynes started by thanking the entire Wilf family and Vikings organization for the opportunity to be a part of the team and then proceeded to answer the stereotypical questions from the media session including how he thinks he fits into Zimmer’s aggressive defense and what the process of being drafted was like as a whole. Throughout the Q&A session, Waynes kept his answers short and sweet. And like he did at the hospital, seemed to prefer letting his actions do the majority of his talking.
The six foot cornerback from Michigan State noted he was excited to learn and be groomed by one of the most respected coaches in the league under Zimmer and mentioned his physical skill-set will fit well with what the team likes to do on defense.
Throughout it all though it was Waynes’ composure and certainty as he paced through each question that gave you a sense of his determination and unwavering confidence he has in himself and what he will bring to the team. For example when asked about the opponents he will face inside the NFC North division specifically the talented passing attacks Wayne’s didn’t flinch noting the great opportunity to play against some of the best competition in the world and prove his worth.
While there is plenty of numbers on the current Vikings roster that suggests Waynes may not be thrusted into a starting role immediately, rest assured the plan for today, tomorrow, and the future will be to groom him into an every down starting caliber player, which is commonly expected from every prospect selected with the 11th overall pick. Wayne’s will have to battle his way through the depth chart first though much like most rookies entering the league proving his worth against veterans like Terence Newman, Josh Robinson, and Captain Munnerlyn.
The addition of Wayne’s from a schematic standpoint kills two birds with one pick as it will eventually allow Munnerlyn to slide into the inside as the “slot” role where he thrived in Carolina and is clearly best suited. The vision for the future in Zimmer’s suddenly talented secondary will be to have Rhodes and Waynes on the outside, and Munnerlyn inside during nickel formations with emerging star and safety Harrison Smith in the backend of the defense.
Adding another safety to pair with Smith has been a diverse topic throughout the offseason and is something that could be resolved by progressing someone currently on the roster like Antone Exum or could just as easily be added in days two and three of the remaining draft. Its also been widely known the Vikings are targeting a linebacker to pair with Anthony Barr and to replace the aging Chad Greenway early in the draft as well. UCLA’s Eric Kendricks and TCU’s Paul Dawson are still on the board as day-two approaches and could be on Spielman's radar early on.
Stay tuned for more Vikings coverage of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Follow Luke Inman on Twitter @Luke_Spinman