B-
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings let Melton fall and pounced. Final grade: B-.
by kgrundseth ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 1 steals
· 0 reaches
The rest of the league will want that one back. Max Melton tumbling to the Vikings in slot 130 is a gift they did not have to think twice about.
They will regret leaving tight end for another day if the season turns on it. Quarterback was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job. The trenches got the money picks, top to bottom.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the tight end spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 11th overall pick they get a bendy edge with upside. Exactly the need they had to hit.
A market-rate quarterback, with the board and the slot shaking hands on J.J. McCarthy. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Leonard Taylor III at No. 108 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Taking Max Melton in pick No. 130 is close to grand larceny; a cornerback that good had no business lasting this long. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Jaylen Wright in pick 148 is fair value, right on his grade. It fills a real need, too.
By-the-book stuff, Layden Robinson at the Round 5 slot squarely in line with his ranking. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Nothing to complain about; Kitan Oladapo went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
No drama and no debate, Aki Ogunbiyi went about where he belonged in slot 179. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Fair-plus on Zakhari Franklin, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.