B-
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings answered their biggest question with Daniels. Grade: B-.
by RB ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 1 steals
· 2 reaches
The one hole that towered over the rest is filled. The Vikings spent their marquee pick on Jayden Daniels, and for the first time in a while there is a real answer at quarterback. They moved the roster forward and banked a B- for it.
The cost of the Smith reach is exactly the players who went right after him. The running back spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at.
The Bishop value carries more weight than any single miss elsewhere.
A tidy weekend of work that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
They did well to land Jayden Daniels in the 11th pick, just ahead of his grade. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
They jumped the gun on T'Vondre Sweat, taking him earlier than his grade liked. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Gabriel Murphy in the Round 4 slot is fair value, right on his grade. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Cam Hart at Round 4, Pick 28 nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
Jaylin Simpson at slot 148 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the cornerback. Nice player, but the depth chart did not need him here.
Nice patience on Cole Bishop, who had no business lasting to No. 163. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
No edge and no loss on Jonah Monheim in pick No. 164; it is a wash and a sensible one. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
They reached into another round for Maurice Smith, and the board is nowhere close to agreeing. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
No drama and no debate, Matthew Jones went about where he belonged in the 230th overall pick. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.