Draft grades
from pff
Day 1: Trading back from No. 14 and still securing Christian Darrisaw — a top-15 prospect on PFF’s Big Board — is a massive win for Minnesota. Darrisaw is fresh off a season in which he recorded the second-best single-season PFF grade by a Power Five offensive tackle in the PFF College era. He oozes power and plays with the physicality that NFL scouts and coaches dream of.
Day 2: Mond is one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft class. He dropped back to pass over 1,500 times in Jimbo Fisher’s pro-style offense at Texas A&M. He also brings some athleticism and a decent arm, but that didn’t lead to many high-end plays on his tape. He does provide an upgrade over Minnesota’s current backup quarterback options, putting him in line to sit behind Kirk Cousins.
Eric Wilson departed for Philadelphia in free agency, and Anthony Barr restructured his contract to become a free agent following the 2021 season. That opened the door for Minnesota to target a linebacker within the first two days of this year’s draft. Surratt can make an immediate impact as a blitzer for the Vikings, but he’s still acclimating to the position after recently switching over from quarterback.
Davis struggled a bit in 2020 with a lower-body injury after coming off a very impressive 2019 season. That’s the only reason why he drops to pick 86. If Davis fixes up some mental errors, he can be a real steal this deep in the draft. He plays a position of need for the Vikings and is a power player. When he gets his hands on defenders, they stop in their tracks. A very nice pick — potentially a Week 1 starter for Minnesota.
Jones comes off the board over 100 spots ahead of his PFF Big Board ranking of 204. Not great value. He’s a big body but may not have the flexibility and speed to get around NFL-level tackles. The Vikings are reaching on huge potential that may not ever come to fruition. Jones is one of several similar edge rushers that would likely have been available in a couple of rounds.
Day 3: Smith-Marsette could end up being one of the better deep threats in this class. Iowa’s offense didn’t do him any favors, but he has the speed to eat up a cushion in off coverage and separate down the football field. Minnesota’s offense, which takes its fair share of deep shots, is a good landing spot where Smith-Marsette can compete for snaps right away in a WR3 role behind Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson.
Draft Grade: B+
they graded
CHI. A+DET A-
GB. C-
hard to argue but i will say CHI has no draft picks in the future and DET have no WR’s.
also from PFF:
MOST IMPROVED UNITS1. MINNESOTA VIKINGS OFFENSIVE LINEA perpetual, never-ending need for the Vikings was finding good players to play in front of Kirk Cousins to ease his pocket fears. They’ve cycled through so many below-average players in free agency or the draft over the past few seasons. And they went all-in again this year, selecting Virginia Tech tackle Christian Darrisaw and Ohio State guard Wyatt Davis.
The Vikings traded back from Pick 14 in Round 1 with the New York Jets to drop nine spots, adding Picks 66 and 86 while losing Pick 143, and still got their guy at Pick 23. Then, with Pick 86, they drafted Wyatt Davis. Both players have a great shot at starting in Week 1.
Darrisaw was PFF's No. 3 -ranked tackle on the Big Board and the 15th-best player overall. That’s how you win the draft. Darrisaw absolutely dominated the ACC in 2020, posting a ridiculous 95.6 PFF grade. He still needs to learn some technical aspects of pass blocking, but he’s a bull in the run game and defenders find it hard to latch off him when he gets his paws on them.
In Wyatt Davis, the Vikings got a player who didn’t have the greatest 2020 season, which is why he slipped to Pick 86. He was still the 61st overall player on PFF's Big Board, so we like the value. There were some schematic issues with the Ohio State offensive line this past season, which led to blatant communication errors that Davis was a part of. That shouldn’t be a concern at the next level. Davis can really block people. That’s the main deal here. In one-on-one situations, he’s as good as anyone; we just would have liked to see him bully people a little more in 2020. He was a great pick at that draft slot, nonetheless.
This draft was different and shows a change in strategy and philosophy I really like. I have been critical of moving back in the past. But this time it worked out well.
The realization that outside zone scheme requires more than quick and light linemen is a welcome change. When a team, such as Chicago, stops the run, or the Vikings get behind and have to pass, the line gets over powered. Not good with an immobile QB. There is nothing wrong with a bigger/stronger lineman who is also good at zone blocking. Hard to find, but they did just that in this draft.
It is also good to make riskier picks in round four and later, instead of a hope and a prayer in round seven. Higher risk but higher potential.
I'm usually pretty skeptical. But combining this draft with what they have done in free agency has me encouraged.
I feel like this team has a chance to be competitive this year.
I really like what the Vikings did this year in the Draft. Best IMO in awhile.
2 starters on the online, hope of a future QB, another guy to pound the rock (Cook will miss some games) a 4th receiver with speed. 6'7 TE with decent hands, couple projects to find Hunter 2.0. A athletic smart LB and possible future safety... both are solid dudes.. love it!
It sure turned out good!! I’ll tell you I was quite nervouse between pick 14 and 23. To have still revieved Darrisaw is ledgendary.
@"StickyBun" said: I really like what the Vikings did this year in the Draft. Best IMO in awhile.This is the important part for me...The Vikings basically traded AVT for Derrisaw, Mond & Davis who’s just as good or better than AVT.. Chris Simms thinks Mond was a top 20 talent.. I’d give Spielman an A+ draft grade for turning one 1st into 3 without a 2nd.. if any of the Iowa picks or edges pan out A++ #Vikings
I was hoping they'd be able to get up into 2nd rd and get themselves a higher tier DE, WR or S. I was surprised and disappointed they couldn't/didn't.
Getting another DE was the 2nd priority imo behind LT. Questions around Hunter continue etc.
Definitely a strategy change. First, after the trade back which we expected, RS stood pat the last 6 rounds. Man must have been having withdrawal symptoms by round 5. Second, other than Darrisaw, Davis, and Jones, every pick looked like it was based on physical potential rather than college production. The Vikings are seriously rolling the dice on their coaching staff's development abilities.
This draft is like SpaceX: The Vikings want a Mars shot out of rounds 3-7, and if the others all blow up on the launch pad, oh well.
I give it a B. Darrisaw and Davis are A, the rest a C
It's always hard to grade a draft immediately after the fact. What I can grade is the value we got out of our draft...
Day 1 was an A+. Only thing potentially haunting me is passing on Mac Jones at 14. I like him a lot more than most, but we did get Mond later on so it'll be interesting to watch these two QBs in the future.
Day 2 was a A-. LOVED the Mond pick, felt early for the LB, but we followed that up with two good picks that could be contributors this season.
Day 3 was a B. You can tell the Vikings are big on analytics with Chazz on Day 2 and Kene, Robinson, Davidson, and the WR from Iowa.
Overall, I'd give it a A- with the potential to be an A++ if Mond becomes a good starter and those OL picks become fixtures.
@"Wetlander" said: It's always hard to grade a draft immediately after the fact. What I can grade is the value we got out of our draft...Day 1 was an A+. Only thing potentially haunting me is passing on Mac Jones at 14. I like him a lot more than most, but we did get Mond later on so it'll be interesting to watch these two QBs in the future.
Day 2 was a A-. LOVED the Mond pick, felt early for the LB, but we followed that up with two good picks that could be contributors this season.
Day 3 was a B. You can tell the Vikings are big on analytics with Chazz on Day 2 and Kene, Robinson, Davidson, and the WR from Iowa.
Overall, I'd give it a A- with the potential to be an A++ if Mond becomes a good starter and those OL picks become fixtures.
Mac Jones going to the Patriots was what every draftnik site on the planet got right.
I'm a huge Bama fan and I remember him making some pretty unbelievable throws and plays. He made em look easy.
That said, I have such a hard time separating that Pro Bowl NFL surround he had on Saturdays vs his own value as a QB.
He's certainly living a charmed football life going from The Crimson Tide to The Patriots.
@"purplefaithful" said:@"Wetlander" said: It's always hard to grade a draft immediately after the fact. What I can grade is the value we got out of our draft...Day 1 was an A+. Only thing potentially haunting me is passing on Mac Jones at 14. I like him a lot more than most, but we did get Mond later on so it'll be interesting to watch these two QBs in the future.
Day 2 was a A-. LOVED the Mond pick, felt early for the LB, but we followed that up with two good picks that could be contributors this season.
Day 3 was a B. You can tell the Vikings are big on analytics with Chazz on Day 2 and Kene, Robinson, Davidson, and the WR from Iowa.
Overall, I'd give it a A- with the potential to be an A++ if Mond becomes a good starter and those OL picks become fixtures.
Mac Jones going to the Patriots was what every draftnik site on the planet got right.I'm a huge Bama fan and I remember him making some pretty unbelievable throws and plays. He made em look easy.
That said, I have such a hard time separating that Pro Bowl NFL surround he had on Saturdays vs his own value as a QB.
He's certainly living a charmed football life going from The Crimson Tide to The Patriots.
And I keep coming back to the fact the Burrow was surrounded by Justin Jefferson, Jamar Chase, Terrance Marshall, and Moss' kid at TE and had a good offensive line and defense. He wasn't dinged for it.Mac Jones does a lot of things that successful NFL QBs do and is much further along in his development than most coming out. His ability to navigate pressure in the pocket shows up when you watch him and he was the best QB in the past couple drafts against pressure and when blitzed.
He gets body shamed and dinged for not being a runner but he's accurate, has good pocket awareness, and he makes the correct read more often than not.
He might not be a top 5 NFL QB, but I think he'll have a better career than some of the QBs taken in front of him in this draft.
@"purplefaithful" said:@"Wetlander" said: It's always hard to grade a draft immediately after the fact. What I can grade is the value we got out of our draft...Day 1 was an A+. Only thing potentially haunting me is passing on Mac Jones at 14. I like him a lot more than most, but we did get Mond later on so it'll be interesting to watch these two QBs in the future.
Day 2 was a A-. LOVED the Mond pick, felt early for the LB, but we followed that up with two good picks that could be contributors this season.
Day 3 was a B. You can tell the Vikings are big on analytics with Chazz on Day 2 and Kene, Robinson, Davidson, and the WR from Iowa.
Overall, I'd give it a A- with the potential to be an A++ if Mond becomes a good starter and those OL picks become fixtures.
Mac Jones going to the Patriots was what every draftnik site on the planet got right.I'm a huge Bama fan and I remember him making some pretty unbelievable throws and plays. He made em look easy.
That said, I have such a hard time separating that Pro Bowl NFL surround he had on Saturdays vs his own value as a QB.
He's certainly living a charmed football life going from The Crimson Tide to The Patriots.
Without Brady? Not sure the charm is still there.
@"greediron" said:@"purplefaithful" said:@"Wetlander" said: It's always hard to grade a draft immediately after the fact. What I can grade is the value we got out of our draft...Day 1 was an A+. Only thing potentially haunting me is passing on Mac Jones at 14. I like him a lot more than most, but we did get Mond later on so it'll be interesting to watch these two QBs in the future.
Day 2 was a A-. LOVED the Mond pick, felt early for the LB, but we followed that up with two good picks that could be contributors this season.
Day 3 was a B. You can tell the Vikings are big on analytics with Chazz on Day 2 and Kene, Robinson, Davidson, and the WR from Iowa.
Overall, I'd give it a A- with the potential to be an A++ if Mond becomes a good starter and those OL picks become fixtures.
Mac Jones going to the Patriots was what every draftnik site on the planet got right.I'm a huge Bama fan and I remember him making some pretty unbelievable throws and plays. He made em look easy.
That said, I have such a hard time separating that Pro Bowl NFL surround he had on Saturdays vs his own value as a QB.
He's certainly living a charmed football life going from The Crimson Tide to The Patriots.
Without Brady? Not sure the charm is still there.
Agreed.
| PICK | PLAYER | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|
1 (23) | OT Christian Darrisaw |  Virginia Tech |
| 3 (66) | QB Kellen Mond |  Texas A&M |
| 3 (78) | LB Chazz Surratt |  North Carolina |
| 3 (86) | OG Wyatt Davis |  Ohio State |
| 3 (90) | Edge Patrick Jones II |  Pittsburgh |
| 4 (119) | RB Kene Nwangwu |  Iowa State |
| 4 (125) | CB Camryn Bynum |  California |
| 4 (134) | Edge Janarius Robinson |  Florida State |
| 5 (157) | WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette |  Iowa |
| 5 (168) | TE/P Zach Davidson | |
| 6 (199) | DT Jaylen Twyman | Pittsburgh |
The Vikings wisely traded back from 14 in the first round and still landed a left tackle in Christian Darrisaw at No. 23, picking up selections 66 and 86 in the process. Taking a shot on quarterback Kellen Mond in the second was perfectly reasonable. If he’s a backup, that’s good value. If he surprises and looks like a starter, it offers huge upside, given how inexpensive he’ll be.
The Vikings finished the draft having made 11 selections, including five in the top 100. Not many teams seem to have a sounder process than them when it comes to the draft.
@"jargomcfargo" said: This draft was different and shows a change in strategy and philosophy I really like. I have been critical of moving back in the past. But this time it worked out well.The realization that outside zone scheme requires more than quick and light linemen is a welcome change. When a team, such as Chicago, stops the run, or the Vikings get behind and have to pass, the line gets over powered. Not good with an immobile QB. There is nothing wrong with a bigger/stronger lineman who is also good at zone blocking. Hard to find, but they did just that in this draft.
It is also good to make riskier picks in round four and later, instead of a hope and a prayer in round seven. Higher risk but higher potential.
I'm usually pretty skeptical. But combining this draft with what they have done in free agency has me encouraged.
I feel like this team has a chance to be competitive this year.
The flip side of this, is that maybe none of these guys turn out? We're all excited about the draft and the new possibilities but its impossible to know this year and maybe even in a few years if this draft was awesome or loathsome. Hopefully we got two new starters and some great special teams players. Couple that with what is coming back and FA and I'm encouraged so say the least!!
Local Takes...
Too early for grades, but here's what to like (and dislike) about the draft
Likes
• Chicago having the guts (and desperation) to trade up for another blockbuster swing at QB. Justin Fields is worth it.
• Dave Gettleman trading down for the first two times as Giants GM and scoring picks in 2022's first, third and fourth rounds.
• Someone convincing Jerry Jones to sign off on the Cowboys using their first six picks and eight of 10 on defense.
• The need-everything Lions staying put at No. 7 and getting top tackle Penei Sewell to help protect lead-footed QB Jared Goff.
• The Packers going defense and taking Georgia's Eric Stokes, a corner with 4.29 speed and a 78-inch wingspan at No. 29.
• The Patriots getting Mac Jones without having to trade up, and then moving up for DT Christian Barmore, a second-round steal.
• The 49ers seeing Trey Lance's superstar ceiling and giving up on Jimmy Garoppolo, who has 30 starts in four years as a 49er.
• The Eagles trading out of the top 10, back into the top 10, picking up a 2022 first-rounder and still landing DeVonta Smith.
• The Falcons adding Kyle Pitts to Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. That 26th-ranked red-zone offense got a lot better.
• The Browns trading up in the second round when Notre Dame linebacker and first-round talent Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah fell.
• The Vikings turning their trade with the Jets into a starting left tackle, a potential starting guard and a QB to develop.
Dislikes
• The Jets giving up on 23-year-old Sam Darnold. Pitts or Ja'Marr Chase could have joined the Jets' offensive windfall.
• Broncos GM George Paton trading for Teddy Bridgewater before the draft and then not taking Fields ninth overall.
• The Rams not having a first-round pick for a fifth straight year and then using a second-round pick on a 155-pound receiver.
• Carolina using the eighth overall pick on cornerback Jaycee Horn when it could have given Darnold a top tackle or receiver.
• Cincinnati taking Chase fifth overall instead of spending that pick on a tackle to keep Joe Burrow off IR.
• The Jaguars and Steelers for picking running backs in the first round. Especially the Jags, who had bigger needs there.
• Washington for letting the Bears jump them for Fields and then going defense at No. 20 when OTs were there.
• Seattle having three picks and no first-rounder. Slot receiver D'Wayne Eskridge had better pan out as a second-rounder.
• The Raiders doing what they normally do: Raising eyebrows by reaching on another first-rounder, tackle Alex Leatherwood.
• The Cardinals not taking a cornerback at 16 or trading down and grabbing either Caleb Farley or Greg Newsome II.
• The Colts going defensive end with their first two picks when left tackle was such a huge need. Poor Carson Wentz.
https://www.startribune.com/nfl-draft-grades-likes-dislikes-vikings-nfl/600052936/
@"AGRforever" said:@"jargomcfargo" said: This draft was different and shows a change in strategy and philosophy I really like. I have been critical of moving back in the past. But this time it worked out well.The realization that outside zone scheme requires more than quick and light linemen is a welcome change. When a team, such as Chicago, stops the run, or the Vikings get behind and have to pass, the line gets over powered. Not good with an immobile QB. There is nothing wrong with a bigger/stronger lineman who is also good at zone blocking. Hard to find, but they did just that in this draft.
It is also good to make riskier picks in round four and later, instead of a hope and a prayer in round seven. Higher risk but higher potential.
I'm usually pretty skeptical. But combining this draft with what they have done in free agency has me encouraged.
I feel like this team has a chance to be competitive this year.
The flip side of this, is that maybe none of these guys turn out? We're all excited about the draft and the new possibilities but its impossible to know this year and maybe even in a few years if this draft was awesome or loathsome. Hopefully we got two new starters and some great special teams players. Couple that with what is coming back and FA and I'm encouraged so say the least!!
Yes it's always a crap shoot, for sure. I like the change in strategy though.
I have never been a big fan of Rick. But it appears he has learned some things over the years and is getting better. Time will tell.
Gotta give this draft an AAA, if only because it needs some vowels. Maybe a supply chain issue, but there is a vowel shortage in this years draft class.
My thoughts...
Christian Darrisaw, T
To move down 9 spots and still get a guy who would not have been a reach 14 can’t be anything but an A+. I would’ve preferred to move up two to steal Slater from the Chargers, but Darrisaw might be an even better player. He’s a perfect scheme fit for the Vikings.
Kellen Mond, QB
Vikings got their backup QB. And it’s actually one with some upside and starting potential. I don’t EXPECT him to be our QBOTF, but he has that kind of potential. And that’s all you can ask for after the 1st round. The QB run started TWO picks before ours when the Bucs took Trask. Houston took Mills one pick after we took Mond, so it’s obvious we would not have Mond if we did not trade down in the first. The beauty? The Bears have spent gazillion dollars and a half dozen first rounders on Trubisky, Fields and Foles. Vikings got Mond with a pick they didn’t even have 24 hours earlier.
Chazz Surratt, LB
This is obviously an upside pick. Almost a project. Athletic, smart, high character, the upside is real. Has a chance to start. Put 10 lbs on him, get him to 6-2, 240 and he could pay off big in a couple of years. Still, you like to see these kind of picks on day three.
Wyatt Davis, G
Davis was a slam dunk middle first pick before the injury. Was it the injury that dropped him or was he overrated to begin with? Probably a bit of both. But great value in the 3rd round. And you have to like the upside of the new OL. Davis has the potential to be a starter at some point this season, maybe even week one. We’ll see. Any time you can get a year-one starter in the 3rd round, you’re doing well.
Patrick Jones, DE
The first two edges that stood out to me were Jaelen Phillips and Patrick Jones. Jones then had a terrible Senior Bowl week and fell off the planet. I always put a lot of stock in how a player plays in Mobile, which is the first time they’re consistently facing NFL talent. So this is a big red flag for me. I would want to know what happened that week. Maybe the Vikings know. But you erase his January through April and he’s a top 40 pick.
Kene Nwangwu, RB
Couple weeks ago I watched several mid to late round RBs. Honestly, none of them stood out to me. Watched Nwangwu too. Great straight line speed, but he just doesn’t have a lot of make-ya-miss. If he can give us some juice in the return game, then that’s well worth a 4th. Mentioned as a favorite sleeper RB by pretty much everyone.
Camryn Bynum, S
This was a “who” pick for me. He played in the Senior Bowl but I don’t remember him. I’ll have to rewatch. On several sleeper lists. Buzz says super-high character, smart, film junkie. Loved his draft video.
Janarius Robinson, DE
This is the kind of player I like on day three. “Built in a lab,” as Barr says. We already drafted our edge in Jones, so I think this was one of those picks where the upside is just too enticing to pass on. Prototype boom or bust player.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR
Another very popular sleeper pick for many, ISM plays faster than 4.47. Better 10-yard than Chase. So two qualified return prospects that look better than KJ Osborn ever did. I’m beginning to understand the Vikings taking ISM over a guy like Shi Smith. While Smith is probably a slot only, ISM can win on the outside and gives us flexibility to move Adam or JJ into the slot for mismatches.
Zach Davidson, TE
Vikings, rather than take value picks, went with a string of sleepers, the likes of which I don’t think I’ve ever seen from this team. Sleepers are boom or bust. I guess if they hit, they hit big. And there’s enough of them to improve their odds. Ever since the days of Joe Senser and Steve Jordan, I’ve been a big fan of late round sleeper tight ends.
Jaylen Twyman, DT
For the last pick, Vikings go back to value picking. Twyman could’ve gone in the 2nd or 3rd round, but dropped because of bad pro day numbers, weight issues and maturity concerns. If he comes out after 2019, he’s probably a first round pick. HIs 2019 numbers (12 TFLs, 10.5 sacks) and tape is pretty damn good. https://youtu.be/nAoAUgK_ABQ
@"StickyBun" said:@"greediron" said:Agreed.@"purplefaithful" said: He's certainly living a charmed football life going from The Crimson Tide to The Patriots. Without Brady? Not sure the charm is still there.Boston is a tough sports town. Jones is basically taking over for an all-time legend in that town. Brady comparisons are going to be a constant companion for him. Going from Tuscaloosa (where every college football player is a god) to following in the footsteps of Tom Brady in Boston -- that is going to be tough. Very tough. Patriots fans didn't really have the "rebound QB" in Cam Newton and they now feel Mac Jones is the new fiance.
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