Yikes Vikes Draft Review.

[YikesVikes]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The 2021 NFL draft has come to an end and I would like to provide a recap and review. I have listed our draft picks below and will assign a grade to each pick while taking into account who was on the board when the selection was made. Enjoy

Pick. 1
Round 1: Christian Darrisaw, 23rd pick
Grade: A
This grade takes into account that the Vikings netted two 3rds while moving down to make this selection. While I would have liked a bit more value, it seems like that was tough to come by in this draft as the number of trades seems to be down from years past (didn't check the numbers on it). CD is a tough, agile LT that fills a huge need. To get him at 23 was a great move. I believe that Rick has learned his lesson and has attributed an amazing draft cap to the Oline over the past 3-4 years. Vikings could have traded back again but to select similar talent on the oline, the Vikes would have had to move existing players out of their current positions (notible Cleaveland or our RT)

Pick. 2
Round 3: Kellen Mond, 66th pick
Grade: B+
At the top of the 3rd, the Vikes aide the selection of 3 straight QBs by taking Mond. While I believe this was a bit high for where he is currently. I think this was a good selection in where he may end up. Let's get it out of the way, the guy has some warts. His throwing motion looks very robotic, he is abysmal throwing outside the numbers at the intermediate and deep levels. His deep ball is often off-target in general and he gets out the pocket to run, not throw. Normally, these negatives are a kiss of death for most QBs but thanks to some insane physical gifts, Mr. Mond gets away with these anchors to his game. First, there is a reason he was the #1 rank dual-threat QB coming out of high school. His wheels are legit. God has also seemed fit to bless him with a Mossberg barrel for an arm. Lastly, he has a passion for improving and is coachable. I believe some of his negatives can be improved upon. He will always have a terrible throwing motion but mark my words, Mr. Mond will one day be a starting QB for us, barring a horrible season where a top 2 QB falls to us in the draft.

Pick 3
Round 3: Chazz Surratt, LB, 78th pick
Grade B-
First and foremost, I don't hate the player selected. I do believe that he was selected too high. Chazz, has been a talented player in the ACC. I think he was a fine college LB with great production. He is undersized, and the move to the pros is another beast. Will he be able to hold up at 230lb? Will gaining mass, slow him down? I just think there were other LBs available that could have fit the mold of player they wanted, without the question marks. I increased the grade because I felt LB was a position of need.

Pick 4
Round 3:Wyatt Davis, OG, 86th pick
Grade: A
Amazing value. Was a potential 1st rounder when the season started. I'm not going to waste time here.

[YikesVikes]

Pick 5
Patrick Jones II, DE, 90th pick
Grade B
I had him as my 7th best edge rusher in the draft. This would have been an A had we selected Ronnie Perkins but obviously several teams passed on him even past this round. Not sure why but more on Pat Jones. Team captain, high motor guy. The tools he already has can be worked on. Excited to see what the final product may be.

Pick 6
Kene Nwangwu, RB, 119th pick
Grade D
Elite speed. Talented KR. High Character. However, given the diminished role of KR, this seems very high to take a guy that is strictly a KR. 4th round picks should be contributed. Would have found him acceptable in the 5th and later.

Pick 7
Camryn Bynum, CB 125th pick
Grade D
We selected a CB to turn into safety when there were plenty of talented safties still on the board. 2021 Jamar Johnson from Indiana stands out. He allowed 12 total catches this season with 0 ints. He had 2 ints vs. Justin Fields when they played. He plays center field about as well as anyone in this draft. It baffles me why a project CB to Safety transition would be preferable to an established, talented guy. To make matters worse, the CB wasn't even a star at his position.

Pick 8
Round 4: Janarius Robinson, DE, 134th pick
Grade A
I love this guy. He is not a finished product but he is a create a player of a DE. 85 since wingspan. Attacking style DE who can dip the corner. Knock has been effort. Maybe we can whip that into shape.

[S197]

The theme of this draft seemed to be to target guys with great measurables that have trended up over their college career but still need some time. Mond, Surratt, Kene, etc. all seem to fit.

I agree that I don’t necessarily hate the picks but some did seem early. Mond I can understand, QBs always go higher than they should. I don’t know about a converted QB to LB or a kick returner with a few hundred rushing yards and 22 reception yards in the 3rd.

The good thing is absent injuries, we likely won’t need these guys in major roles this year. I’m surprised they didn’t grab a CB, the one they drafted is apparently moving to safety. We’re okay with corners this year but most of the secondary will be free agents next year.

[YikesVikes]

The theme of this draft seemed to be to target guys with great measurables that have trended up over their college career but still need some time. Mond, Surratt, Kene, etc. all seem to fit.

I agree that I don’t necessarily hate the picks but some did seem early. Mond I can understand, QBs always go higher than they should. I don’t know about a converted QB to LB or a kick returner with a few hundred rushing yards and 22 reception yards in the 3rd.

The good thing is absent injuries, we likely won’t need these guys in major roles this year. I’m surprised they didn’t grab a CB, the one they drafted is apparently moving to safety. We’re okay with corners this year but most of the secondary will be free agents next year.

Both our safeties are free agents. I also think we overrate Xavier Woods. He's an ok safety. One injury and we are in trouble.