C
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings bet the future on Daniels. The board says C.
by yu ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 2 steals
· 4 reaches
The search is over. The Vikings handed the keys to Jayden Daniels, and the whole operation now runs on his development. Some smart calls, some head-scratchers, and a C in the wash.
The Randolph Jr. reach is the anchor dragging on the value grade. Washington at that cost is the sort of edge that compounds over a roster. If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through safety.
If Jayden Daniels and a couple of the gambles land, hindsight will be kinder than this grade.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 5th overall pick they get their quarterback of the future at fair value. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
In the Round 1 slot they get a disruptive interior force, though they paid up to get him. A real need, handled.
No edge and no loss on Christian Haynes in the 63rd pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
They let Blake Corum come to them and pounced at pick No. 94. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
They paid sticker price for Mekhi Wingo in slot 108, and that is fine. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Josh Newton in pick 124 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. It adds depth where they could use a little.
They went early on Mason McCormick in No. 129, and the value did not follow. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
They liked Jacob Cowing enough to skip the value, taking him in Round 4, Pick 31. The roster fit checks out.
Kalen King at No. 140 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. They added to a strength when a need was still open elsewhere.
Value said wait; Keith Randolph Jr. in the 167th pick says they were not listening. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Tahj Washington in the Round 6 slot should not have been possible, and that is the whole point. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.