Minnesota Vikings select Walter Rouse in sixth round of 2024 NFL Draft
The Minnesota Vikings have selected former Oklahoma Sooners offensive tackle Walter Rouse in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
He transferred to OU from Stanford this past season became a key part of the Sooners’ offensive line.
Rouse was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection this past season, playing mostly at left tackle as he started every game for the Sooners. He was a key part of an Oklahoma offensive line that allowed just 1.5 sacks per game this year. In all, Rouse logged more than 2,500 snaps during his career, according to Pro Football Focus.
“Five years ago, I embarked on my college football career, uncertain of the challenges and triumphs that awaited me,” Walter Rouse wrote in his NFL Draft announcement back in January. “Today, as I look back on my 52 starts and a total of 53 games, my collegiate football career has reached its conclusion.
“A journey that began at Stanford University and concluded at Oklahoma University. … I am eager to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
What NFL analysts are saying about Walter Rouse
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein believes Rouse’s skills closely resemble that of former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Cam Fleming.
“Rouse possesses the size and intelligence coaches like, and he might be able to continue improving if he can get stronger and prove he can play on the right side as well. He’s an average athlete with average bend, and that will show up in his lack of consistent anchor and in-line drive. However, that should not be oversold, as he tends to anchor enough and maintain a level of stickiness as a run blocker, even when it looks a little disheveled. Rouse has played almost exclusively as a left tackle but might be in consideration as a solid swing tackle prospect with some upside.”
One AFC area scout told Zierlein during the pre-draft process that, “He’s made improvements at Oklahoma. I think he’s really helped himself with the way he can protect.”
He lists Rouse’s strengths as including him having extensive starting experience with a good feel for technique, has patience in pass-blocking scenarios, clamps into face-up rushers, keeps his feet moving, among others. For his weaknesses, Zierlein believes there is room for improvement when it comes to punch attacks, not always having a firm anchor, shows occasional lower-body stiffness, and being too tall on aim and entry when engaging a defender.