NFL Draft Grades - Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings' 2025 Draft Selections

2024 Pick 10. (R:1 P:10) - J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Grade: C
When there was speculation that the Patriots were going to draft J.J. McCarthy, I was going to write, "I thought they already drafted Mac Jones." Well, now the Vikings drafted Mac Jones. McCarthy has a higher floor, but a very low ceiling, much like Jones. I don't like this pick, but the Vikings at least didn't give up significant resources to get their man, so I can't hate on it too much.

2024 Pick 17. (R:1 P:17) - Dallas Turner, OLB, Alabama
Grade: C
I don't like that the Vikings are surrendering third- and fourth-round picks next year to move up just six spots. Dallas Turner may seem like a great value to some, but there are teams that flagged him medically, which is why he has fallen so far. I get the need, and Turner is a great talent, but there's high risk with this pick. If you haven't visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we've finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look. Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it at the top. It's $7.99 per month, but you'll get a super-fast site with no ads. If you don't want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help! Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, if you'd like to support the site, check out my book! It's available on Amazon, and it's called A Safety and a Field Goal. Take a look:

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2024 Pick 108. (R:4 P:8) - Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon
Grade: B-
Khyree Jackson would have been a second-day selection if he didn't have any problems. He's a massive cornerback, but has some character concerns. There's major potential here, but added risk as well.

2024 Pick 157. (R:5 P:22) - Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State
Grade: A
I thought Chau Smith-Wade could have gone in Round 3, so I love this value. This also fills a need, as Carolina traded Donte Jackson for Diontae Johnson. Smith-Wade is undersized, but projects as a solid nickel corner.

2024 Pick 167. (R:5 P:32) - Keilan Robinson, RB, Texas
Grade: D
I'm not giving out a Millen grade for a fifth-round pick, but this is close. Keilan Robinson barely played at Texas, and he was seen as a UDFA player. He doesn't even fill a need. What a waste.

2024 Pick 177. (R:6 P:1) - Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma
Grade: B+
The "other" tackle for the Vikings, Walter Rouse could have gone as early as the fourth round without any complaints. This is a solid pick for the Vikings, who are wise to improve their offensive line depth for J.J. McCarthy and Aaron Jones. Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, if you'd like to support the site, check out my book! It's available on Amazon, and it's called A Safety and a Field Goal. Take a look:

You can buy it here. It has some NFL Draft-related topics, so like I said, if you want to support the site, this is a great way to do it!

2024 Pick 230. (R:7 P:10) - Michael Jurgens, C, Wake Forest
Grade: C
The Vikings needed offensive line depth, so the need makes sense. However, we didn't have Michael Jurgens as a draftable player. It's seventh round though, so not a big deal.

2024 Minnesota Vikings - Prospect:TBD

Past Grades and Selections

2024 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2024 Minnesota Vikings - Prospect:TBD

2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2023 Pick 23. (R:1 P:23) - Jordan Addison, WR, USC A No one is going to question this need. If Justin Jefferson goes down this year, Minnesota's No. 1 receiver would be K.J. Osborn. Jordan Addison is a gifted receiver who easily could have gone several picks earlier than this. I love this pick.

2023 Pick 87. (R:3 P:24) - Ji'Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
A+ I love Ji'Ayir Brown. He's not the biggest or fastest safety, but he's the most instinctive safety in this class. Because of that trait, he can start for the 49ers on Day 1, which is essential because San Francisco had a big need at the position.

2023 Pick 119. (R:4 P:17) - Chamarri Conner, S, Virginia Tech
C- I don't get why the Chiefs traded up for Chamarri Connor, when he should have been available late in the draft. However, he fills a need, as the Chiefs lost Juan Thornhill this offseason. Connor is a solid in run support.

2023 Pick 158. (R:5 P:23) - Daniel Scott, S, California
B Daniel Scott is an athletic player with good size, but the production didn't match at California. Perhaps the Colts can get him to live up to his potential. I like the value for Scott, whom I had in the fourth round.

2023 Pick 211. (R:6 P:34) - Titus Leo, ILB,
B- Titus Leo has potential as an athletic pass rusher. Obviously, the competition at Wagner wasn't the best, so he'll need to prove that he belongs in the NFL.

2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2022 Pick 32. (R:1 P:32) - Lewis Cine, S, Georgia B+ Grade
I absolutely hated the Vikings' trade with the Lions. This selection, however, is much better. Minnesota easily could've drafted Kyle Hamilton at No. 12. They needed a safety, so they'll settle for Lewis Cine, who definitely fits the range at the end of the first round.

2022 Pick 42. (R:2 P:10) - Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson A Grade
The Vikings needed someone to cover all the talented receivers they gave to their divisional foes. Andrew Booth is whom I mocked to Minnesota at No. 34 in my re-draft, so I love this value. Booth could've gone at No. 25, so this is a stellar pick.

2022 Pick 59. (R:2 P:27) - Ed Ingram, G, LSU A- Grade
I mocked Ed Ingram to the Vikings at No. 46, so I like this pick. Ingram is a tough run blocker with good athleticism. He'll fill a big need for Minnesota's miserable offensive line. Kirk Cousins' pass protection absolutely had to improve, and Ingram will make that happen.

2022 Pick 66. (R:3 P:2) - Brian Asamoah, LB, Oklahoma
C- Grade
The Vikings aren't having the best draft. Brian Asamoah is a bit of a reach here, as he was projected to go late third at the very earliest. He's an athletic player, and he fills a need, but the Vikings could have moved down and gotten him or taken someone better.

2022 Pick 118. (R:4 P:13) - Akayleb Evans, CB, Missouri
B Grade
There's good cornerback value here in the fourth round, so I don't think the Vikings needed to trade up necessarily. They surrendered a 2023 fourth-rounder to get Akayleb Evans, so that'll weigh down this grade. I like Evans though, as he's a tall corner with good athleticism, and we know the Vikings need corners.

2022 Pick 165. (R:5 P:22) - Esezi Otomewo, DE, Minnesota
B- Grade
The Vikings are familiar with this local player, who will be a fine depth fit in the team's new 3-4 defense. I never slotted Esezi Otomewo into any of my mock drafts, but he was always in consideration in the late rounds.

2022 Pick 169. (R:5 P:26) - Ty Chandler, RB, North Carolina
C- Grade
This pick neither fills a need or provides value. Ty Chandler is a late-round/UDFA guy, and the Vikings have a log jam at running back. Chandler can catch passes out of the backfield well, but I can't see him contributing anytime soon.

2022 Pick 184. (R:6 P:5) - Vederian Lowe, OT, Illinois
B Grade
Offensive line depth is always welcome, and Vederian Lowe brings tons of starting experience with him. He has a decent chance of making the roster. I thought he would go around this range, maybe a bit later.

2022 Pick 191. (R:6 P:12) - Jalen Nailor, WR, Michigan State
B Grade
Jalen Nailor missed some action last year, but he was projected to go in this range, so that didn't cost him his draft position. The Vikings needed receiving depth with Adam Thielen turning 32, so this is a solid choice.

2022 Pick 251. (R:7 P:30) - Isaih Pacheco, RB, Rutgers
C Grade
Isaih Pacheco was fast in college, but I don't think that'll translate to the NFL. He doesn't break any tackles and doesn't possess any positive tools for an NFL running back.

2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2021 Pick 78. (R:3 P:14) - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina B+ Grade
I suspected the Vikings would address their linebacker situation after they struggled so much in that regard once Eric Kendricks got hurt there last year. Chazz Surratt is a versatile player who can rush the passer and make plays in coverage. This is a solid choice, as Surratt could've gone in the second round without many complaints.

2021 Pick 90. (R:3 P:26) - Patrick Jones, DE, Pittsburgh B+ Grade
The Vikings lost several edge rushers in recent offseasons, so it made sense for them to acquire someone like Patrick Jones. The Pittsburgh product has great pass-rushing upside, but he needs to get stronger for the NFL. He's not quite there yet, but he could be a stud one day.

2021 Minnesota Vikings - Prospect:TBD

2021 Pick 125. (R:4 P:20) - Camryn Bynum, CB, California
B Grade
It's interesting that the Vikings announced Camryn Bynum as a safety because I had him pegged as a cornerback. Bynum is a solid, smart player who will potentially fill a huge need the Vikings have in their secondary next to Harrison Smith, thanks to Anthony Harris' departure.

2021 Pick 134. (R:4 P:29) - Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State
A- Grade
The Vikings have lost so many edge rushers in the past couple of offseasons, so they needed to find as many players as possible to get after the quarterback to beat Aaron Rod-, erm- Jordan Love. Janarius Robinson is an explosive athlete with high potential, and I've had him mocked around this range, so this is a solid pick.

2021 Pick 143. (R:4 P:38) - Tyree Gillespie, S, Missouri
D Grade
I don't understand why the Raiders traded up for Tyree Gillespie. He could potentially fill a need, but he's someone I consistently mocked in the final rounds of my mock draft. I don't think anyone was dying to take Gillespie, so there was no need to give up resources for him.

2021 Pick 157. (R:5 P:13) - Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa
B Grade
Ihmir Smith-Marsette is a speedy receiver who actually fills a slight need for the Vikings. Minnesota obviously has two studs at the position, but nothing else, so insurance was needed. This is about the right range fr Smith-Marsette, who generated some buzz in the final couple of months of the pre-draft process.

2021 Pick 168. (R:5 P:24) - Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri
C Grade
Zach Davidson is a very good athlete, so while I never had him in my mock draft, he's at least intriguing. Perhaps he can become a productive tight end for the Vikings in the wake of Kyle Rudolph's departure.

2021 Pick 199. (R:6 P:15) - Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh
C- Grade
It makes sense that the Vikings would obtain another defensive lineman after losing so many players in that area. However, Jaylen Twyman is not someone I thought would be drafted, as I had him predicted as a UDFA.

2020 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2020 Minnesota Vikings - Prospect:TBD

2019 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2019 Minnesota Vikings - Prospect:TBD

2018 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2018 Minnesota Vikings - Prospect:TBD

2017 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2017 Minnesota Vikings - Prospect:TBD

2016 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2016 Minnesota Vikings - Prospect:TBD

2015 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2015 Minnesota Vikings - Prospect:TBD

2014 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2014 Minnesota Vikings - Prospect:TBD