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NEW YORK - The Minnesota Vikings moved up two spots
in the second round and selected Auburn linebacker Dontarrious
Thomas with the 48th pick in the NFL draft. The Vikings also used their first pick to help the defense,
selecting Southern California end Kenechi Udeze 20th overall. In order to move up from 50 to 48, the Vikings sent the New
Orleans Saints a fifth-round pick. The 6-2 1/2, 241-pound Thomas started for three years at
strongside linebacker before shifting to the middle as a senior.
He finished his career with 350 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks. An excellent athlete who has a 38-inch vertical leap, Thomas has
the range to play sideline to sideline and is effective on
blitzes. Nicknamed "Reindeer" because of his running style, Thomas is a
cousin of Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jermaine Phillips.
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