B+
Minnesota Vikings
A masterclass at the trade table lands the Vikings a B+.
by Ayee ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 0 steals
· 4 reaches
Give the war room a raise for the dealing alone. The Vikings came out ahead on every exchange that mattered, and it was not close. A dependable weekend that grades out a B+.
The Cox pick is the one the value grade keeps tripping over. If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through quarterback. They went 4 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
The trenches got the money picks, top to bottom.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the quarterback spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In pick 30 they get an anchor for the defensive front. A real need, handled.
Malachi Corley at the 52nd pick is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
By-the-book stuff, Danny Stutsman at the 94th overall pick squarely in line with his ranking. A minor itch, scratched.
Good price on Gabriel Murphy in pick No. 157, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Value said wait; Miles Frazier in No. 160 says they were not listening. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
A reach for Jaylan Ford in Round 5, Pick 32; a little patience would have been rewarded. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.
Steve Linton at slot 171 is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
They went early on Chau Smith-Wade in the Round 6 slot, and the value did not follow. A pick in search of a role on this roster.
Marques Cox at Round 7, Pick 21 is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.