Andrew Harbaugh
May 19, 2024 10:26 am CT
Summer is the most pivotal part of scouting for both teams and fans. The idea is to educate yourself on the players who could be selected in next April’s draft and who could play for or against the Vikings.
The latter part is critical to our Summer scouting here on Vikings Wire.
The Minnesota Vikings and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah only have three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft heading into the Summer. More could be acquired through trade or the compensatory variety, but for now, that is all the ammo they have.
The lack of draft picks means this series will focus on the players we are likely to play against or who could cause problems for the team in the future. Every position will be covered so that you, the reader, can be a complete NFL fan as much as you are a Vikings fan. Educating yourself on these prospects is critical to better understanding the offseason as a whole, and we feel we can fill in the gaps.
Player data
Apr 22, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; White team quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws behind blocking by White team offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) and White team offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin (56) during the A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Sports
- Tyler Booker
- Position: Guard
- School: Alabama
- Height: 6-5
- Weight: 352 pounds
- Year: Third year Junior
Player background
Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) comes out to stretch before a game against the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
- 4-star recruit according to 247 Sports
- Under Armour All-American in high school
- Uncle (Ulish Booker) played in NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers for three seasons
- 1st team All-SEC selection in 2023
Stats heading into the 2024 season
Sep 23, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) and Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) block against Mississippi at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Mississippi 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
- Played in 25 games
- Played 589 run snaps
- Played 640 passing snaps
Notable PFF numbers
Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) celebrates after defeating the LSU Tigers during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
- 71.2 run-blocking grade
- 74.1 pass-blocking grade
- Two sacks allowed
- 14 hurries allowed
- Only two penalties called against him
Player strengths
Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) celebrates his touchdown against the LSU Tigers with offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the LSU Tigers 42-28. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Power
One thing you can almost always expect from Alabama guards is power and their ability to impose their strength on defenders. Tyler Booker does that in waves against SEC defenders, and it makes me believe he can do it to NFL opposition. His power allows him to be a valuable blocker in both the pass and run game, but when he is tasked with being a lead blocker after pulling, it really shows.
Physicality
When players have the type of power that Tyler Booker does, they love to impose it on others. He does it repeatedly and can take defenders completely out of plays with his physicality. I really enjoyed his ability to create mismatches with linebackers when he was tasked with creating running lanes. They never had an answer for him.
Size/Length
Booker is listed at 6-5, 352 pounds and uses and handles that size very well. He isn’t athletic but deceptively agile when asked to be that type of player. He uses his length to handle the size of defenders and the size he possesses to control any situation they attempt to put them in.
Player summary
Apr 13, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) celebrates after the offense scored a touchdown during the A-Day scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Booker is what you would expect of any Alabama offensive lineman during the Nick Saban era. He is very well rounded with an added advantage presented due to his size. Unlike others before him, he moves very well for his size. As I mentioned above I wouldn’t say he is athletic but rather more agile. He uses that extra feature to gain advantages over SEC defenders, and I believe it will make him a very reliable guard at the next level. I don’t expect him to be a top draft pick, but he could easily be a day-two pick for a team and then be a reliable starter for the next decade.
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