North Notes: Vikings, Taylor, Browns

While analyzing their new rookie class, the Vikings experimented with position changes for two players at their minicamp this weekend. The team has tried shifting fourth-round pick Jalyn Holmes from defensive end to defensive tackle and undrafted rookie Hercules Mata’afa was shifted from defensive tackle to linebacker.

 “I’m up for the challenge and got good coaches that are actually teaching me what to do, so I’m up for the challenge,” said Holmes, who had limited experience playing defensive tackle at Ohio State, per Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Krammer notes that Holmes would likely need to add at least five pounds to his 285-pound frame to compete at the position. He also points out that Homles would be the team’s tallest defensive tackle at 6-foot-5.

At 6-foot-2, 254 pounds, Mata’afa who attended Washington State, was one of the Power Five’s smallest defensive tackles. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, via Krammer, also pointed out an example in which switching a player defensive line to linebacker panned out.

“There have been several guys who have gone from d-line to linebacker,” Zimmer said. “[Teddy] Bruschi is a great example. I’m not saying he’s Bruschi, but guys have done that in the past. It’ll take time.”

Here’s more from around the AFC around NFC North:

• Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com wonders if Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor could be shipped off in a trade before or after training camp as the team has stacked up an abundance of depth at the position. The Browns added Ohio State’s Denzel Ward with the fourth overall pick in last month’s draft and also added Simeon Thomas, T.J. Carrie, E.J. Gaines and Terrance Mitchell this offseason. Cabot also reported that Taylor was on the trading block during the draft.
• Kabot also looked into some scenarios that could play out at left tackle for the Browns. Cabot believes that 2016 third-round pick Shon Coleman will get the first crack at trying to replace Joe Thomas. She also believes that Austin Corbett, who they selected in the second round of last month’s draft, will press Coleman for the starting job. Cabot also sees a scenario in which the team moves Joel Bitonio from left guard to left tackle and place Corbett at left guard to keep the highly-touted rookie on the field.
• On Saturday, we learned that the Lions signed offensive lineman Brett Kendrick and waived safety Anthony Sherrils