Quote: @"BarrNone55" said:
Rick Spielman said the #Vikings were considering Darrisaw at No. 14. They consider him a “pure left tackle,” he said. The trade back should allow them to move back into the second round, he added. Spielman said the #Vikings “were a little tight” in the draft room after trading down. They thought about trading back up from No. 23 to make sure they got Darrisaw, but were able to stay at 23 and get him. Spielman: “If we were considering a guy strongly at 14, and still able to get him at 23, that’s a great night for us.” @Vikings needed to come away with a big time olinemen in this draft. The way they play with running the ball the play actions and boots. Christian Darrisaw in my opinion is arguably the best pass protecting tackle in the draft and he has a nasty ness about him
The Guy I wanted at 14. I would have taken Sewell ahead of him and then Slater but not by that much. A scout mentioned Darrisaw maybe as a guard which is just stupid. Slater maybe better at Guard then LT but no doubt Darrisaw is a LT.
Quote: @Tyr said:
@"Geoff Nichols" said:
@ PurpleCrush said:
Love this! Getting Darrisaw at 23 and 2 thirds is grand theft.
It fortunately worked out. Rick would never say but the board did not fall the way they thought after they traded out of #14. But somehow the 1 or 2 top guys at #14 made it all the way down the board. Adding the high 3rd and swapping out the late 4th for a mid-3 was a big win in hindsight.
How do you think they wanted the board to fall? my fear was that they were targeting Phillips or Paye. We still need more depth at edge, but I’m hoping that upgraded tackles, a hopefully healthy Hunter, & Wonnum in year 2 will still be much better thab the DL they rolled with last year.
Felt the same and said so on numerous posts the last weeks. I really did not want Phillips at 14 or Paye...and AVT for that matter. Would have wanted to trade down and then consider those three. But Darrisaw was one of my Big 3 Tackles and we got him + plus to more high picks....really unbelievable by Spelly - IMO.
Sporting News:
23. Minnesota Vikings (from Jets): Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
The Vikings pull off another draft coup with Rick Spielman, managing to still land the rock of a left tackle they needed for their style of offensive line after trading back nine spots. They get a big upgrade from Rashod Hill to make both Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook happy. This pick is a home run, much like Justin Jefferson around the same spot in 2020.
CBS Sports:
23. Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia TechGrade: A
I love this pick. I believe he will be the best tackle in the draft. It fills a need in a big way.
Draftwire:
The ideal scenario for any team that trades back is to add picks, and still end up with a player that would have been worth your original selection. That’s exactly what the Vikings did here, moving back nine spots and still landing a starting-caliber left tackle that would have already been a fantastic value at their original spot. He fills a huge need, can start immediately, and he’s a huge bargain this late in the first round.
GRADE: A
DraftKings:
No. 23 Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia TechGrade: A
The Vikings get their man after trading back and adding a third and second round pick to boot. You can nitpick at Darrisaw, but his ability is evident on the field. The Vikings needed help up front and they got a player poised to be a top talent in the league.
FOX Sports:
23. Minnesota Vikings (from New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks): Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech, 6-4, 314
Rang's grade: The second consecutive Hokie off the board, Darrisaw is a light-footed tackle with the potential to one day challenge for Pro Bowl honors. He fills a clear area of longtime need for the Vikings, especially given the pass rushers Minnesota faces in the NFC North. Darrisaw is an intriguing talent, one with both quality tape and some clear areas in which he can improve – suggesting he has not yet reached his maximum potential. At this point in the draft, he could wind up proving a steal, just like his former teammate Farley and the Vikings' first-round pick last year, wideout Justin Jefferson. Grade: B+
Bleacher Report:
- Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Strengths: Powerful base, lower-body flexibility, comfortable in space
Weaknesses: Soft outside hand, opens in pass set early, doesn't always finish blocks
An offensive lineman's power derives from his hindquarters. No one needs to look any further than Virginia Tech's Christian Darrisaw for a prospect who defines this particular trait.
The 6'5", 314-pound blocker plays with the best base of anyone in the class. He keeps his feet under him, plays with leverage and arrives with nasty intentions. He can drive defensive linemen off the ball and blow up linebackers and defensive backs when working in space. However, he doesn't always keep his feet moving after contact.
Virginia Tech's usage became more of a problem than anything since the Hokies didn't always employ deep pass sets. Even so, the first-team All-ACC performer looked comfortable and fluid. Yet Darrisaw showed a tendency to give up an easy edge, particularly to speed rushers.
The physical tools are clearly present for Darrisaw to become a long-term left tackle. His next offensive line coach must concentrate on technique, particularly in his pass set, to fully harness his power while simultaneously making him a reliable blindside protector.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman masterfully navigated this year’s first round. The team’s commander moved down nine spots, added a pair of third-round picks and still landed a top offensive tackle prospect.
Darrisaw can immediately move into the starting left tackle spot left by Riley Reiff when the front office released the nine-year veteran.
The choice makes the team’s plans much clearer. The possibility that right guard Ezra Cleveland would move back to left tackle was in play. Cleveland is a natural blindside protector, but he found a home along the Vikings’ offensive interior. Darrisaw can immediately take over blindside capabilities and solve one of Minnesota’s two issues along the front five.
Finding a prospect to fill the other guard spot should be the Vikings’ next step.
Grade: A
WalterFootball:
![[Image: vikingsb_logo.gif]](https://walterfootball.com/images/fball/vikingsb_logo.gif) Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech - B Grade
How can you not like this value for the Vikings? I thought Christian Darrisaw would be their pick at No. 14 if Rashawn Slater happened to be off the board. He's long and athletic, which is exactly what Minnesota looks for from its offensive linemen. However, several teams told us that there's "something missing with Darrisaw." Some teams think he lacks toughness, which would worry me. Still, this is a good value selection.
Quote: @pattersaur said:
Sooooo relieved right now. Wow. Slater going right before us had to rattle Rick but somehow it all worked out. Hope we got a good player player here. I think we did. Good job, Vikes! But wow they made us sweat.
Exactly this. When they traded out on AVT I thought Zimmer was going to get his DE and Kirk would be saying "If I die, I die" all over again.
Quote: @"Geoff Nichols" said:
@ PurpleCrush said:
Love this! Getting Darrisaw at 23 and 2 thirds is grand theft.
It fortunately worked out. Rick would never say but the board did not fall the way they thought after they traded out of #14. But somehow the 1 or 2 top guys at #14 made it all the way down the board. Adding the high 3rd and swapping out the late 4th for a mid-3 was a big win in hindsight.
Vikings Nation if they didnt hit on Darrisaw:
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