Besides the school they played for, another common thread between the athletes is that they all have the same agent, Ken Stanniger. Wickman is currently playing in NFL Europe as an allocated player by the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings view Wickman as a weak-side linebacker prospect who will come in and immediately contribute to their special teams coverage units. What got the Vikings attention was the range Wickman has shown in defending the pass with the CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers, following his years at Sac State as a stout run-stuffing linebacker. While Wickman is flexible enough to play every down as an outside linebacker, his lack of great size will leave him on the outside, while his physical build and body-type should also eliminate the possibilities of him moving to strong safety, according to Stanniger.
Teams sometimes like to project linebackers to safeties and vice-versa.
The Bears made Brian Urlacher, a collegiate strong safety into a linebacker, while the Rams this season will convert Adam Arhuletta, a college linebacker into a pro safety. The idea is to get the most out of each player s talents and to put them into the best position to make plays. Wickman also caught the fancy of the San Francisco 49ers this off-season but they were unable to offer him a contract due to severe salary cap constraints. Each team is allowed to keep five players on their practice squad that have two years or less of NFL experience, to develop them into future contributors. Wickman is taking a similar path that Billy Volek, another one of Stanniger s clients, followed while coming into the league with the Tennessee Titans.