B+
Minnesota Vikings
A masterclass at the trade table lands the Vikings a B+.
by kgrundseth ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 5 steals
· 1 reaches
The Vikings put a flag in the ground for Michael Pratt, 53 picks before anyone else would have, and the value took the hit. The bottom line is a respectable B+.
The trade ledger is the best part of the whole weekend. Whatever else happened, they won the night they took Simpson.
They punted on safety, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest.
In short, they left a little better than they arrived, which is the whole idea.
Pick-by-Pick
Jared Verse in Round 1, Pick 15 is fair value, right on his grade. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Kris Jenkins at the 42nd pick is right where the board had him, plain and simple. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Michael Pratt. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Jamari Thrash at pick 108 is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
A cornerback of that caliber at the Round 4 slot is the definition of value, full stop. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Ty'Ron Hopper in the 148th overall pick is exactly on the number, no argument either way. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
By-the-book stuff, Layden Robinson at pick 160 squarely in line with his ranking. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Braelon Allen in slot 165 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. It fills a real need, too.
Jaylin Simpson at No. 179 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
A top-tier tight end at a bargain, Erick All in the Round 7 slot, plain and simple. The roster fit checks out.