With ps & cuts in the books, how does the Vikings’ 2017 draft class grade?

[purplefaithful]

There has never been better proof of the NFL Draft’s randomness than the 2016 and 2017 Minnesota Vikings’ draft classes. While the ’16 class added almost no value to the team, the ’17 group has a chance to play a huge role this season.
With training camp, preseason and final cuts wrapped up, let’s have a look at what we know about the 2017 draft class:

Potential impact players in 2017RB, Dalvin Cook 
Heading into the season, Cook looks like an A+ pick. From the moment he stepped on the field at camp, the former Florida State star impressed the Vikings, grasping the offense quickly and showing that his patient and explosive running style can quickly translate to the highest level. Not only did he win the RB1 job, but Cook has looked like he could become the centerpiece of the offense. You can’t do better than that in the second round.
C, Pat Elflein
DT, Jaleel Johnson 

LB, Ben Gedeon

Potential future starters  

G, Danny Isidora
When Joe Berger retires, there’s a good chance Isidora will take his place. A fifth-round pick from Miami, Isidora impressed head coach Mike Zimmer right away in OTAs and showed strong mobility and power. Isidora’s strong play was part of the equation that allowed the Vikings to cut Alex Boone.
WR, Rodney Adams
WR, Stacy Coley

Most disappointing

TE, Bucky Hodges
You can’t fault the Vikings for picking Hodges. At 6-foot-6 and with a 4.57 40-yard dash, it’s easily worth sixth-round pick for a player with his physical attributes and impressive college career. However, Hodges’ game speed wasn’t like his NFL Combine speed. He wasn’t often open when running routes in the middle of the field and had almost no previous experience blocking. The Vikings may eventually add him to the practice squad, leaving the door open to development. But it doesn’t appear he will have any type of role this year, which is somewhat disappointing for a team that could use a vertical-threat tight end.
LB, Elijah Lee 
(The other two picks Ifeadi Odenigbo and Jack Tocho were long shots from the start. Odenigbo had a good camp and landed on the PS).

Bottom line:To have two starters at major positions and potentially seven draft picks who could make anywhere from major to minor impact is a pretty impressive draft, especially without a first-round pick. At this point, the class deserves an A.
Of course, we can’t really know for several years whether a draft class was a success or failure. Maybe 2016’s class will turn it around this year. But right now, the ’17s look as strong as anyone’s in the NFL.
Full article link:  http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/0...ass-grade/

[Guest]

Plus the number one pick was used for Sam. 

[Guest]

I think Lee made the PS as well.

[Guest]

Way too early.  Cook looks great in practice, but we will see in games (I think he will be great)

Elflein and Isidora are the real deal

Jaleel Johnson looks good

Ben Gideon an over achiever

Adams and Coley are both role players, but good value

Hodges had a lot of hype, so a huge disappointment

Lee looks lost, but he is a 7th rounder

Jack Tocho was not even good enough to make the practice squad.

So, I would say "hit and miss", but you don't know a think until they get into regular season play.

If you get 3 major contributors in a rookie year, that is a good draft.

I just want to stop trading 4ths and 5ths for 14 7th round picks who never amount to anything.  I hate that strategy of quantity.

[Guest]

@Tom Moore said:
Way too early.  Cook looks great in practice, but we will see in games (I think he will be great)

Elflein and Isidora are the real deal

Jaleel Johnson looks good

Ben Gideon an over achiever

Adams and Coley are both role players, but good value

Hodges had a lot of hype, so a huge disappointment

Lee looks lost, but he is a 7th rounder

Jack Tocho was not even good enough to make the practice squad.

So, I would say "hit and miss", but you don't know a think until they get into regular season play.

If you get 3 major contributors in a rookie year, that is a good draft.

I just want to stop trading 4ths and 5ths for 14 7th round picks who never amount to anything.  I hate that strategy of quantity.

I'll never understand Spielmans love for trading back to acquire 7th rounders when you have a chance to grab someone sliding down the board in in the 3-5 rounds. 

[Guest]

Also give them credit for signing 3 UDFAs who made the roster; Aviante Collins, Tashawn Bower, Eric Wilson. Time will tell but I think all three have potential to be more than special teams bodies, each could become starters.

Really great - though IMO, it supports the argument to stop collecting 6th/7th picks: your odds are just as good to find help by working UDFA signings as by picking in late rounds.

[Guest]

@Tom Moore said:

I just want to stop trading 4ths and 5ths for 14 7th round picks who never amount to anything.  I hate that strategy of quantity.

At first blush, I would agree with you. And I was definitely the one screaming the loudest at the idea on draft day. However, it would be interesting to do some kind of study on this. I'm sure NFL teams have. There is the argument that the entire draft is a turkey shoot and so the more bullets you have the more likely you are to hit something. If it were extremely unusual for 7th rounders to perform better than 4th rounders, or even 1st rounders, that would be one thing, but it's really not that unusual.