Hercules Mata’afa tweeted a photo of him weighing 289 pounds this offseason. It’s a pretty big difference between what it’s listed at, which is 254 pounds. The extra weight could help him compete for more playing time.
Bleacher Report believes that Mata’afa could become a star for the Vikings. Here is what the media said about Mata’afa:
“Co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Andre Patterson made a point of including Mata’afa during a discussion about his group.
“Don’t forget Hercules Mata’afa too,” said Patterson, according to Dane Mizutani of St. Paul Pioneer Press. He added: “There is great talent within the group. There is a good mix of experience and youth. You always have a good group of guys working to keep their games going, and I think we have guys who are ready to take the turn. “
If Mata’afa progresses, he could be an interesting player for the defensive tackle with three techniques. He will compete with players like Shamar Stephen and James Lynch for the position.
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