Jay Ward and Lewis Cine are untested at best and will struggle to get consistent playing time even with Flores using a three-safety package on defense. Smith is 35 years old, so this could be his last season. That’s why the Vikings should focus on safety sooner rather than later.Wake Forest’s Malik Mustapha could be the perfect middle of the round find to bolster the safety space.At 5’10”, 210 pounds. , Mustapha is undersized for the position. But what he lacks in, he makes up for. More than his speed and strength, Mustapha loved the combine, running a 4.33-second 40-yard dash and 22 reps on the bench press.
These qualities show in his play at the position. His game is similar to Antoine Winfield Jr. with a game that is another undersized safety.Like Winfield, Mustapha does his best work near the line of scrimmage, using his speed to bring down the running back and fight ball carriers.
He is aggressive on the offensive blocks and is also a good blitzer, which is what Flores looks for in his safety. Metellus and Jevon Holland are examples of modern safeties who attack blocks and throw well.Mustapha is a downhill player as he accelerates to the line of scrimmage and explodes from his safety position to get to the center of every play. Mustapha says he “always tries to be first to the ball..
