Post by Danchat on May 2, 2021 13:21:05 GMT -6
I'd like to go over my thoughts with some Arbitrary Draft Grades, based on my board and scouting reports:
LT Darrisaw - A+
Trading down and landing one of the best LTs in the class that is a great scheme fit is a best case scenario for the Vikings. Left tackles are hard to find, and they are expensive. He was my 11th best prospect in the whole class.
QB Mond - B
Finally, Spielman goes for a QB outside of the 1st or 7th round. I like the forward-thinking approach to this pick despite not addressing a need (for a starting position). I have confidence Mond will become one of the best backup QBs in the league in due time.
OLB Surratt - D
If this pick were to be the true replacement to Anthony Barr, I would be on board. However, Surratt is an old prospect who's still learning how to play linebacker, and he profiles as an Eric Wilson replacement. Having a strong nickel LB is a nice niche to fill, but you don't spend 3rd rounders on someone who might develop into that.
G Davis - A
Finally, I think Spielman has drafted a pure guard who will become a quality NFL starter. Unlike Samia, who was a blatant reach in the 4th round, Davis is a strong guard who moves well and has put some good tape. Injuries will be his primary obstacle to becoming a quality guard.
DE Jones II - B
I wanted the Vikings to move up for a DE, but I do like Jones II as a 3rd rounder. He's a decent athlete with decent numbers at Pitt, and another project for Andre Patterson. You would hope his floor is as a 3rd DE.
HB Nwangwu - F
I am not interested in spending 4th round picks on special teamers. Nwangwu is a superb athlete, but that's it. Kick returning is seldom a factor in football games these days, and he's even returned a punt. The Vikings rarely use our 3rd/4th RBs. We spent a 3rd on Mattison, and he mostly collects dust for a job. This is a waste of draft capital.
CB/S Camryn Bynum - C
This is a hard pick to evaluate Rick himself announced him as a safety. His Pro Day numbers suggest he's too slow to play CB, so he may end up as a slot CB or play safety. He's not a reach, but also not an exciting prospect when there were better safeties on the board.
DE Janarius Robinson - D
Yet another toolsy DE pick, Robinson was a mediocre player at Florida State. Sure, Hunter and Wonnum were raw and toolsy when they were drafted, but I have Robinson marked below them when they were initially drafted.
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette - D+
I had 10 WRs ranked above him who were on my board, so I wasn't super happy about this one. ISM is fast and not undersized, and from what I've read, he's not a special teams-only player. He might be a one trick pony as a deep ball receiver... but that's not bad, since neither Beebe nor Bisi provide that skillset.
TE Zach Davidson - C
I didn't have Davidson as a draftable player, but I can get on board selecting a guy with a high ceiling with our penultimate pick. 4.62 speed at 6'6" 245 lbs is a nice combo, and he kicked butt at Division II. Being able to punt and long snap are nice as an emergency backup, but I'd be 100% focused on developing him to play TE. He probably doesn't pan out, but he will be special if he does.
DT Jaylen Twyman - B+
The Vikings needed to add competition for the 3T spot with James Lynch disappointing in practice, so they add Twyman. He's got the size of a 3 tech, but the speed of a nose tackle and the strength of one too. I don't know if his odd build can play in the NFL, but he dominated in 2019 before opting out. Unlike some of the earlier picks, I can see Twyman carving a role for himself as a DT coming out on passing downs, but could hold up against the ground game.
UDFAs - Landing K Riley Patterson, one of the top 3 kickers in the draft class, is a big win. I expect him to win the kicking job.
Final Grade: B+
The Vikings won me over by attacking the O-line. The round 1-3 picks were mostly good, which should buoy the final grade. Sure, they got cute with some of the Day 3 selections, but that means little since Day 3 picks rarely pan out in the first place. If prospect development goes well, the 2020 and 2021 draft classes should provide a strong foundation for this team.
LT Darrisaw - A+
Trading down and landing one of the best LTs in the class that is a great scheme fit is a best case scenario for the Vikings. Left tackles are hard to find, and they are expensive. He was my 11th best prospect in the whole class.
QB Mond - B
Finally, Spielman goes for a QB outside of the 1st or 7th round. I like the forward-thinking approach to this pick despite not addressing a need (for a starting position). I have confidence Mond will become one of the best backup QBs in the league in due time.
OLB Surratt - D
If this pick were to be the true replacement to Anthony Barr, I would be on board. However, Surratt is an old prospect who's still learning how to play linebacker, and he profiles as an Eric Wilson replacement. Having a strong nickel LB is a nice niche to fill, but you don't spend 3rd rounders on someone who might develop into that.
G Davis - A
Finally, I think Spielman has drafted a pure guard who will become a quality NFL starter. Unlike Samia, who was a blatant reach in the 4th round, Davis is a strong guard who moves well and has put some good tape. Injuries will be his primary obstacle to becoming a quality guard.
DE Jones II - B
I wanted the Vikings to move up for a DE, but I do like Jones II as a 3rd rounder. He's a decent athlete with decent numbers at Pitt, and another project for Andre Patterson. You would hope his floor is as a 3rd DE.
HB Nwangwu - F
I am not interested in spending 4th round picks on special teamers. Nwangwu is a superb athlete, but that's it. Kick returning is seldom a factor in football games these days, and he's even returned a punt. The Vikings rarely use our 3rd/4th RBs. We spent a 3rd on Mattison, and he mostly collects dust for a job. This is a waste of draft capital.
CB/S Camryn Bynum - C
This is a hard pick to evaluate Rick himself announced him as a safety. His Pro Day numbers suggest he's too slow to play CB, so he may end up as a slot CB or play safety. He's not a reach, but also not an exciting prospect when there were better safeties on the board.
DE Janarius Robinson - D
Yet another toolsy DE pick, Robinson was a mediocre player at Florida State. Sure, Hunter and Wonnum were raw and toolsy when they were drafted, but I have Robinson marked below them when they were initially drafted.
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette - D+
I had 10 WRs ranked above him who were on my board, so I wasn't super happy about this one. ISM is fast and not undersized, and from what I've read, he's not a special teams-only player. He might be a one trick pony as a deep ball receiver... but that's not bad, since neither Beebe nor Bisi provide that skillset.
TE Zach Davidson - C
I didn't have Davidson as a draftable player, but I can get on board selecting a guy with a high ceiling with our penultimate pick. 4.62 speed at 6'6" 245 lbs is a nice combo, and he kicked butt at Division II. Being able to punt and long snap are nice as an emergency backup, but I'd be 100% focused on developing him to play TE. He probably doesn't pan out, but he will be special if he does.
DT Jaylen Twyman - B+
The Vikings needed to add competition for the 3T spot with James Lynch disappointing in practice, so they add Twyman. He's got the size of a 3 tech, but the speed of a nose tackle and the strength of one too. I don't know if his odd build can play in the NFL, but he dominated in 2019 before opting out. Unlike some of the earlier picks, I can see Twyman carving a role for himself as a DT coming out on passing downs, but could hold up against the ground game.
UDFAs - Landing K Riley Patterson, one of the top 3 kickers in the draft class, is a big win. I expect him to win the kicking job.
Final Grade: B+
The Vikings won me over by attacking the O-line. The round 1-3 picks were mostly good, which should buoy the final grade. Sure, they got cute with some of the Day 3 selections, but that means little since Day 3 picks rarely pan out in the first place. If prospect development goes well, the 2020 and 2021 draft classes should provide a strong foundation for this team.
... and neither is this Chris guy.