D-
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings found their guy under center in Williams: D-.
by Dummpollock ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 2 steals
· 1 reaches
Every swap seemed to tilt away from the Vikings, and the value they bled adds up to real damage.
Caleb Williams is the bet, and the class will be judged on how it pays off. A whole weekend of picks and safety is somehow still a want. The Liufau pick is the one the value grade keeps tripping over.
Whatever else happened, they won the night they took Smith. They are betting the present roster is worth a lighter draft next spring.
Bottom line, they will need several of these picks to beat their grades just to break even, and safety is still a hole.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 1 they get the arm they will build around. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
In slot 9 they get a weapon on the perimeter at fair value. A clean fit for the roster.
In the 22nd overall pick they get a quarterback's worst nightmare. Exactly the need they had to hit.
Jonathon Brooks in No. 42 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
A quiet steal in the Round 4 slot: Christian Mahogany for less than the market said. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Marist Liufau in the 157th pick is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
A wide receiver of that caliber at pick 172 is the definition of value, full stop. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
A market-rate interior defensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Jordan Jefferson. A need, and now a little less of one.
Jaylan Ford at No. 210 nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.
They took Nathan Thomas at par in the 230th overall pick, which is nothing to complain about. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.