Vikings Rick Roll the draft

After a free agency period that saw more significant names depart the roster than any such period in memory, the Vikings very much needed to ace this draft in order to hold their place amongst the NFC elite.

I absolutely feel that they did that.

This draft was a homerun. Rick Spielman filled the gaps on the roster across the board. He didn't throw away picks in panic moves to trade up. He took a somewhat depleted roster and filled it with promising starters to be and lots of intriguing depth pieces. 

Let's go chronologically. On Thursday night, the draft really fell well for us. At 22 we took WR Justin Jefferson, who put up monster numbers at LSU, with the pick we got for Diggs. Now, I was not of the opinion that we had to immediately go for a Diggs replacement, but it became an easy choice when a top receiver fell in our laps.

Then, as the board continued to really fall our way, Rick traded down from 25 to 31, picking up a couple extra picks. And not a single player who we were likely to choose between came off the board in the 6 picks we had to wait through. And we got CB Jeff Gladney, a nice physical corner who in theory would grow into what Rhodes used to be for us.

Fantastic value picks in both spots, both at positions of need, and neither cost extra draft capital. It was a master class in holding serve by Spielman.

On day 2 Rick again held serve. He didn't trade up, and was still able to grab Ezra Cleveland, a giant tackle, who will either replace Riley Reiff at LT as Reiff shifts to guard, or play guard himself. This pick improves 2 line spots instantly.

In round 3 we got Cameron Dantzler, another nice corner for Zimmer to mold. Then Rick traded down from the other 3rd round pick and snagged some extra picks for it.

Day 3 was destined to be crazy. The Vikings had 13 picks coming in, but you knew Slick Rick was going to be wheeling and dealing like crazy. And it sort of played out that way, though not quite the way you'd think.

Round 4 brought DJ Wonnum, a pass rusher, James Lynch, a D-tackle, and Troy Dye, a linebacker. Wonnum figures to get in the pass rushing mix, but the other 2 picks really seem like gems. The highlights of Lynch had me at full mast. This dude looks like he could become a beast. And Dye looks like he could be a great Kendricks type. Now of course, everyone looks good in their highlights, but no other draftee we got on day 3 looked like stars.

In round 5, Rick traded one 5th to the Bears straight up for a 2021 4th. Then later he drafted Harrison Hand, who is listed at corner but apparently is likely to be moved to safety, and KJ Osborn, a speedy receiver who figures to be an instant favorite to be our main return guy.

Down in round 6 we got Blake Brandel, a big tackle who it sounds like could be the new Rashod Hill swing guy, and Josh Metellus, who could be a really nice safety find. And Rick also traded down again, this time turning a 6th into a 2021 5th.

Then finally in the 7th, Rick's round, we got pass rusher Kenny Willekes, safety Brian Cole, guard Kyle Hinton, and most notably Iowa QB Nate Stanley. I was pretty surprised we would take a developmental type QB considering this offseason frankly is not going to have much if any chance for development. No rookie minicamp, no OTAs, and probably at least a truncated training camp and preseason. It's really the only pick I disagreed with. 

The other 3 7ths are all likely practice squad guys unless they really flash.

We actually broke a record with 15 total picks. But it wasn't just quantity. Now, of course not all 15 picks will pan out into stars or starters or even make the roster. That's impossible. Somebody I just raved about will be a bust. Maybe several will. But I really do think we got a draft class that is going to be the 2nd best of the Spielman era (hard to imagine anything ever beating 2015).

With only the possible exception of guard, we hit on every need, and did so multiple times. Rookies always have a learning curve, but Jefferson and Gladney should both.play immediately. Cleveland could start right away (I trust Kubiak to know if he can). And we have a few others who I am legit excited about. And with all the departures on defense, these guys will have a chance to have a quick impact.

I was disappointed we didn't get any Gophers. Antoine Winfield went to Tampa. I was begging for Tyler Johnson, but he too ended up in Tampa. Carter Coughlin and Chris Williamson went to the Giants. The Packers got Kamal Martin, unfortunately. We didn't even get Rodney Smith as a UDFA.

Oh well. I'm deeply satisfied and enthusiastic about this draft class. I really think that this class, and next year's where we already have 9 picks (with comp picks to come) will determine the rest of the careers with Minnesota for both Spielman and Zimmer.

Now we get the undrafted free agents, which historically for this team always feature a hidden gem or two. And I'm sure the veteran free agents still warrant a look. I'm gonna keep saying they should nab a cheap veteran corner or two, even now after adding 5 rookies to the secondary. But beyond that they don't have a lot of obvious needs for depth.

This weekend worked out wonderfully for us. Now we just have to hope we get an actual season. 🤞🤞🤞