The University of Miami probably never will have a better No. 52 than Ray Lewis. But its latest, Denzel Perryman, wasn’t too shabby.

The Hurricanes linebacker got some attention when Lewis, a future hall of famer, noted he believed Perryman was worthy of his old number. Now the Vikings are looking closely at Perryman, even if he wouldn’t wear No. 52 as a Viking. That’s Chad Greenway’s number.

But the Vikings need a long-term answer at middle linebacker, and Perryman could be their guy if he’s available when Minnesota picks in the second round, 45th overall.

“Players like Denzel Perryman were made for coaches like Mike Zimmer,” draft analyst Dane Brugler said of the hard-nosed Minnesota coach. “I think he’s a great fit in the middle for the Vikings. Perryman is a hammer looking for a nail. He’s short but he’s stocky, and there’s a lot to like about him.”

The Vikings have met with the 5-foot-11, 236-pound Perryman, and they have to love the way he talks about his game.

“I’m smart, I’m physical, I’m a downhill, hard-nosed dog,” Perryman said.

That sounds exactly like what the Vikings have been looking for since E.J. Henderson made the Pro Bowl in 2010. Henderson didn’t play beyond 2011 because of nagging injuries. Over the past three years, the Vikings have had stop-gap players at the position, namely Henderson’s brother, Erin, and Jasper Brinkley — and they’re both gone.

As it stands now, the battle for the starting job will be between Audie Cole and Casey Matthews, signed last month as a free agent.

“He wouldn’t go there if he didn’t think he couldn’t compete at middle linebacker,” said Clay Matthews Jr., a former NFL star and father of Casey and Green Bay all-pro linebacker Clay Matthews III.

Still, there’s little evidence Cole or Matthews could be are the long-term answer the Vikings seek. Perhaps Perryman could be.

“One of my goals when I first started playing football was obviously getting to the NFL,” Perryman said. “Now I’m here, and I might be the first inside linebacker taken. That’s a blessing.”

Brugler said it’s possible no traditional linebackers will be selected in the first round, only edge rushers who could transition to outside linebacker, players such as Florida’s Dante Fowler, Clemson’s Vic Beasley, Nebraska’s Randy Gregory and Kentucky’s Bud Dupree.

If the Vikings don’t land Perryman, other possibilities could be UCLA’s Eric Kendricks, Mississippi State’s Benardrick McKinney or Texas Christian’s Paul Dawson.

It’s also possible the Vikings could consider picking an outside linebacker in the first round. Greenway, 32, was hurt for much of 2014 and could be playing his final NFL season.

Minnesota seems set at the other outside starting spot with Anthony Barr, taken with the No. 9 pick last year. There also is a solid understudy on hand in Gerald Hodges. But after that, it’s thin.

The top traditional outside linebacker prospect in the draft is Washington’s Shaq Thompson, probably a second-round pick and on Minnesota’s radar. The Vikings’ third-round selection is No. 76 overall, but they could try dealing for another second-round pick to secure Thompson and another middle linebacker prospect.

“I do think linebacker is a position they’ll address maybe on the second day (of the draft),” Brugler said. “The second and third rounds are really going to be the sweet spot for linebackers.”

The first round is April 30, when the Vikings could select Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes, Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker or perhaps one of the top edge rushers. The second and third rounds will be held May 1.

Follow Chris Tomasson at twitter.com/christomasson.