EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- A few thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings' sixth-round pick.
The pick: Tyrus Thompson, T, Oklahoma
My take: The Vikings have made a point to add depth at tackle after a disappointing year from Matt Kalil in 2014, and in Thompson they added a player who has experience on both the right and left sides of the line. At 6-foot-5 and 324 pounds, Thompson has the stature to play in the NFL and moves fairly well for his size. It remains to be seen whether he'll play with the necessary edge to succeed, but in the sixth round, he's worth a look.
International flavor: After signing Polish offensive tackle Babatunde Aiyegbusi this offseason, the Vikings added Thompson, who was born in Germany while his father was stationed in Europe as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army. Thompson's family eventually settled in Texas, where he graduated from Pflugerville High School.
Growing up quickly: Married with a son and daughter, Thompson was waiting to get drafted so he'd be able to support his family; his wife, Olivia, had been working at a 7-Eleven to make ends meet while Thompson was still playing in college. According to the Tulsa World, Thompson's agent, Ken Sarnoff, provided some financial assistance once Thompson was no longer bound by NCAA rules.
