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+
My thoughts...
Christian Darrisaw, T
My OT3. Probably a better fit than Slater. Plus, he's still improving. To me, Slater was more of a finished product. Better size and experience in the outside zone. Would have been happy at 14, but gathering up two additional slots in the top 100? Giggity.
Kellen Mond, QB
Couple weeks back, someone mentioned at this point last year Mannion was already inked to a new deal. Then the day before the draft, Jeremiah mentioned the Vikings were one of a couple teams who did extra legwork ( don't skip leg day) on the Day 2 QBs. Needs a louder internal clock. Took tons of body shots. Competed at the highest level with limited cast around him. Could be the guy in two years or could be Brett Huntley.
Chazz Surratt, LB
This pick should have been Jabril Cox for multiple reasons. Least favorite pick by a wide margin. I mocked him a bunch of times up until his measurements came in. Below is a comprehensive list of starting LBs with arms as short as his
1.
End of list.
He's going to replace Wilson and push Dye back to the bench. Not exactly what you want from a third. Being 24 doesn't help. Blah. Might be used as the up man on the punt unit and he takes a direct snap and throws one.
Wyatt Davis, G
I would have been happy with Davis in the second. Had a better 2019. Got more sand in his pants than our typical iOL. Just a great pick. I'll be shocked if he's not a Day 1 starter.
Patrick Jones, DE
Mocked him a bunch of times due to measurables and production. Bad Senior Bowl week, but did get a sack in the game. Will need to re-watch game. With the scrubs we had playing DE last year, he makes the team by default.
Kene Nwangwu, RB
4.29 guy with one cut and go running ability. KR and special teams guy. Kennedy was pounding the table for him, so what can I say. Very few touches and only 7 receptions. Feels like he could have been selected later or an UDFA. What was your favorite KJ Osborn moment?
Camryn Bynum, S
Highly productive. Moving to S. Honestly, I've spent little time researching him.
Janarius Robinson, DE
I have no strong opinion on this player. :)
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR
Seems like a bit of a knucklehead. Front flip into the end zone ended is year. DUI and speeding. TDN comped him to Robbie Anderson and it seems to fit. I think he wins WR3 even if Beebe stays healthy, as if. Could be KR too. Jet sweeps might be a thing again.
Zach Davidson, TE
Anyone recall that old SNL skit? "It's a dessert topping! No, it's a floor wax!" That's Davidson. He can punt. He can play TE. He says he's a pretty fair LS. Great size, speed guy. Oddly short arms, 32", for a guy nearly 6-7. Has a small man bun, so he fits in the TE room. Feels more like an UDFA due to the D2 background and limited time at TE. If he makes the team it's as LS. If he starts getting reps as holder, he could be the punter. The football multi stool.
Jaylen Twyman, DT
Played at 290. Has ballooned up to 319. Sloth like 40. Extremely productive, but I'm not sure that's on him or the two DEs he had with him. Have a salad. Looks way too much like Gary Coleman. Stuff of nightmares. Stadium announcer should play " Whatchu talkin bout, Willis" after a big play. Next to J Rob, could be the SOD.
Overall, I give this a B bordering on a B-. Cox was the pick that swings this to a solid B. Brevin Jordan over Davidson would have pushed the grade to a B+. Hill over Kene moves the needle to the B+ A- range.
Bynum reminds me a lot of Corey Chavous. Former Corner turned Safety. High character, very studious. If he turns out to be anything close to Chavous, that's a great pick.
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