04/30/2012 - A closer look at the Vikings' picks: Round 6/175 - Blair Walsh, K, 5-9, 187, Georgia...Will be groomed to eventually replace 37-year-old Ryan Longwell. - The Sports Xchange
A four-year starter, Walsh entered the 2011 season as the top-rated kicker in the '12 draft. He leaves the college ranks as the SEC's all-time leading scorer, but an inconsistent senior season -- 21 of 35, or 60-percent accuracy -- cannot be ignored.
Analysis
Positives: Good, not great, leg strength. Team-first player and good teammate. Hard worker on and off the field. Good technique. Average-plus hang-time on kickoffs but won't boom touchbacks. Career-long field goal was 56 yards. Holds multiple school, conference and NCAA records. Body of work might override very poor '11 season for some evaluators.
Negatives: Not impressive athletically or physically. Teams will break down his '11 season in different ways, but not performing in the clutch and getting benched with the chance to be a mid-round pick doesn't project well. Lacks the leg for touchbacks and lacks elite leg strength. Streaky confidence and below-average bulk to be a factor in coverage.
