Local football authority Daniel House, known for his football film breakdown and data driven research, predicted on X last year the Vikings would use their first-round draft selection on Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson. Bingo! The Vikings did just that.
House, recognized by football followers for his presence on multiple platforms including X @DanielHouseMN, will post his 2026 prediction on X this Wednesday. He told Sports Headliners he’s “leaning” toward dynamic Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq being Minnesota’s choice at No. 18 of the first round of the NFL Draft which opens Thursday night April 23.
Why? “What a freaky athlete he is and how he tested. It’s pretty impressive.”
The 6-foot-3, 241-pound playmaker had a terrific NFL Combine where he ran the fastest 40-yard dash for a tight end (4.39) since at least 2003. Sadiq excelled in physical measurements and also team interviews.
The Vikings have many needs to fill in the draft and already possess a quality tight end in T.J. Hockenson but Sadiq, if available, might be too good to pass on. House said a team’s offensive efficiency can “explode when you have two tight ends on the field.” He added that the versatile Sadiq can line up not only in a tight end position but also in the slot or out wide. Sadiq, he said, is so talented and versatile he could play some fullback, making the transition easier without C.J. Ham who has retired.
Among the Vikings needs is help at running back and it wouldn’t be too surprising if they selected Minneapolis native Emmett Johnson. The Gophers didn’t pursue Johnson, but he became one of college football’s better backs at Nebraska despite not having top speed.
“He was really good…(with) acceleration, deaccelerating,” House said. “Sudden, elusive type of back. I feel like NFL teams are going to like Emmett Johnson quite a bit.”
House predicts Johnson will likely be a round two or three pick. He said Johnson may not have tested that well with scouts but he “transitions” so well when he runs that he is an intriguing prospect. “That’s where he is elite. So, I think maybe that’s going to be the calling card for his game is the ability to make people miss. And that’s the bread-and-butter success at the running back position. …”
The first Gopher to be taken by an NFL team either in the draft or free agency is likely to be defensive lineman Deven Eastern from Shakopee. Defensive tackles are coveted in the NFL, and House said the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Eastern has “great length and movement skills.”
Worth Noting
Gophers head football coach P.J. Fleck, speaking at the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Clinic last week, told the audience his teams frequently exceed expectations of prognosticators and this year’s team can be “sneaky good.” He also told Sports Headliners quarterback Drake Lindsey is improved in throwing the deep ball.
Former Gopher wide receiver and now TV analyst Ron Johnson after being asked if national champion Indiana’s coaching staff is superior to Minnesota’s: “No, I wouldn’t say that. It’s all about the dollars (to pay players).”
Johnson is an admirer of Lindsey including his 6-foot-5 height. That’s prototypical of ideal NFL quarterbacks. “It (the height) changes the trajectory of the ball,” Johnson told Sports Headliners.
The Gophers, now in spring practices, have a roster of players from 29 states.
Dan Stoltz, president and CEO of Blaze Credit Union, spoke about leadership at the clinic. An inspiring speaker, Stoltz has a book coming out this summer with a working title of “Quest to Be Your Best.”
Retired girls’ high school basketball coach Brian Cosgriff, who won eight state tournament titles, thinks the world of Amaya Battle, the Golden Gopher senior guard who played her last game in Friday’s NCAA Tournament loss to UCLA. Cosgriff coached her at Hopkins High School and recalled how the death of Battle’s mother prompted her to stay home for college and be near family.
The versatile scorer, rebounder and assist maker is one of the Gophers all-time best players. Cosgriff describes her as a great player, person and student who is also “funny as heck.” Cosgriff told Sports Headliners: “I am going to make it my cause to go out and see if we can hang a banner of her at Williams Arena.”
The Twins were efficient in gaining their first win of the regular season yesterday, scoring four runs on four hits to defeat the Orioles 4-1. Twins pitchers struck out 16 batters, including nine by first-year starter Taj Bradley in 4.1 innings. The suspect labeled bullpen used five relievers who gave up only two hits and struck out seven.
Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez was a big hit speaking to the Twin Cities Dunkers last week. He graciously posted a thank you on his LinkedIn page. (43) Post | LinkedIn