Image courtesy of Vikings.com
People like to make fun of Draft grades being posted immediately following the event’s conclusion, and for good enough reason, but there is no doubt that people love to read them. Here at Vikings Territory we are taking a slightly different approach to the normal quick analysis that accompanies these types of post (oh, we’ll have that too, I suppose) with the assignment of our 2016 Vikings Draft Grade.
It is easy to dismiss most draft grades as speculation, because they are. The most informed Vikings fans on the internet (you guys), however, took to our pages all weekend long to vote on each pick and trade the Vikings executed during the 2016 NFL Draft.
At the very least, your perception at fans has been measured, and there has to be some worth to that. We think there is, anyway.
Here are the results of each poll posted throughout Draft Weekend:
Whether or not the Vikings preferred a different receiving threat is now irrelevant, and Vikings fans seem genuinely pleased with this addition of the big-bodied target to help get Teddy Bridgewater to the next level.
63% of you gave this the “A” grade we assigned. Only 6% of voters gave the Treadwell selection a “C” grade or worse.
Cornerback was not exactly considered a pressing need heading into this Draft, but if you’ve been a Vikings fan for at least a decade then know you the phrase “you can never have too many good corners” has plenty of truth behind it. And Alexander is a good one, no doubt, and he knows it. The confident young blanket corner could eventually take over for Captain Munnerlyn as the slot corner or even carve out a larger role for himself.
52% of our readers gave this selection an “A” grade, but 33% giving it a “B.” Only 15% gave the pick of Alexander a “C” grade or less.
Rick Spielman added Miami’s third and fourth rounders to his 2017 arsenal by trading out of his third round selection. He also got Miami’s sixth round pick out of the deal. Most fans were ecstatic to see two valuable future picks added, as the value seemed great, while others wanted to see the Vikings stay put and acquire another player to help get them to the top this year.
57% voted this an “A” and 29% gave the trade a “B” grade. 15% gave the trade a “C” grade and worse.
A Pro Football Focus pass protection grade that is, well… the worst did not do Beavers any favors with the Minnesota fan base. He played left tackle at Western Michigan, but he may have to prove himself as a guard with Vikings if he wants to make the roster.
10% gave this pick an “A” while 10% gave it an “F.” 37% gave this a “B” grade and 30% gave it a “C.”
The Vikings added more depth to their linebacker depth chart with this selection and many seemed to think the value was there. Brothers adds competition and special teams value from the get-go.
43% gave the selection a “B” grade with an “A” grade being given by 32% of our readers. Only 1% gave it an “F.”
It will be an uphill battle for Boehringer to make the jump from playing in Europe to playing in U.S. Bank Stadium. Still, the German wide out was a fan favorite in Minnesota before he was even selected, and now he’ll be a fun storyline for fans to follow and cheer for throughout training camp. Oh, and he’s kind of a physical freak, as well.
56% gave this an “A” grade as opposed to the 2% that gave it an “F.”
The Vikings are clearly looking to give a few blocking tight ends an extended audition during whatever time Rhett Ellison missed during the preseason and possibly even the regular season. Morgan fits that bill and has some catching abilities that shouldn’t be overlooked.
30% of our readers voted this selection a “B” grade and a “C” grade. 25% gave it an “A,” 10% gave it a “D,” and 5% gave it an “F” grade.
Another name that advertises to be a versatile and physical asset to compete for a spot in Mike Zimmer’s rotational defensive packages.
45% gave this selection a “B” grade, while 35% gave it an “A” grade. 1% gave this selection an “F.”
The teammate of Mackensie Alexander brings a tall frame to the competition in the secondary. If he can be coached to play with smarts and fire then the Vikings may have nabbed themselves quite the steal.
53% gave this selection an “A” grade with a “B” grade being given by 34% of our readers. 0% gave it an “F.”
Rick Spielman took part in some late-round posturing via two additional trades on Day Three. These trades were fairly inconsequential, but we had you vote anyway. One of those trades was used to move up and select David Morgan.
The trade back was more popular than the decision to move back up.
Using some simple averaging and math the readers of Vikings Territory have assigned, via our instant polls, the following 2016 Vikings Draft Grade:
Not too shabby, eh?
Thank you all for making Vikings Territory one of your stops through all of the NFL Draft action this weekend. Our entire team worked hard to bring you as much quality content and features as we could and we appreciate each and every one of you that came out to play with us!
Now, I have an undrafted free agent punter to look into before we put a bow on this 2016 draft class.
View Comments
I would give Patterson little girl a A+++ for cuteness
I think it was Treadwell's daughter.
"...if you’ve been a Vikings fan for at least a decade then you the phrase 'you can never have too many good corners' has plenty of truth behind it."
I'd say it's been 23 years since we had enough good cornerbacks, 1993 to be precise, when we gave up only 11 passing touchdowns and our four corners - Carl Lee, Audray McMillan, speedster Anthony Parker and former Chiefs starter J.C. Pearson - picked off nine of our 24 interceptions. Since then, we've never had enough good corners and only rarely had a quality starting duo (Winfield and Griffen). It's been very frustrating...
Gotta love what Spielman continues to build through the draft. With Zimmer in tow, as a fan I now look at many of our defensive selections with a far more positive outlook than I did years ago. This draft didn't have the early round buzz that recent drafts have, however, I felt our guys did a great job of adding talent and upside along with tremendous value in not only selecting BPA (Treadwell and Alexander) but also filling positions of need.
Many understand the draft is the ultimate crapshoot, but considering what we have built already, there is nothing about this draft and FA that doesn't have me believing we are going to continue to trend upward not only in the immediate future, but for years to come.
I feel a true Vikings comment wouldn't be complete without the overused, but always appropriate sing off...
SKOL
c'mon now. isn't this like letting trump rate himself? "humble guy with great hair, A+"
why did mobo have to be drafted? why wasn't he just a FA that anyone could sign?
I dont agree with the political part of the comment but the general meaning was correct.
I think most of the picks (Beaver was a terrible pick) were decent and will contribute. I think Treadwell has a chance to be elite but also a chance to be a bust. My problem with this draft is the players we passed on.
We could have had Myles Jack, Billings in the 4th, Kilbrew, so many others I'd have slightly preferred. That's my main issue with this draft. And the wasted pick on Beaver.
Yep, can't complain so much about the players they drafted, but they passed on some great players in areas of greater need. If you watched the game tape of Beavers against Ohio State, he held his own. But if their plan is to move him to guard, that is their most over loaded position, and they could have had Billings instead. They have far more depth at guard than they do at interior DL. Except for him, the ceiling is high for the first four picks. If Tread DOES become another Dez, then he is a great pick. Alexander is a very good cover corner, I thought they should have picked a different position (safety or LB in this case), but Alexander just might be better at his position than any available at safety or LB at theirs. The LB from Mizzou is a tackling machine, he should make the final roster. Tough call and none of us have a crystal ball. I think that trading their third for the same plus one next year was a sign that they are thinking that they have limited spots on their roster this year, but are looking towards next year when contracts of many starting players expire.
skol, that wasn't a political comment at all. could've said that ten years ago and it would've worked. now, why was mobo drafted and not just signed? anybody?
He was exactly 4 years out of high school and fell into the narrow draft window. Another year and he would have been a free agent..we spent a draft pick on him to guarantee that we attained his playing rights in the NFL. We tried signing him as a FA before a bunch of teams caught onto him, but the NFL slowed everything down and he was placed into the draft after his case was looked at more thoroughly.
Basically, because the NFL said so.
Really a political comment had to be used, huh ?
Couldn't think of anything else to say ?
Typical liberal..... Now scamper away to your Bernie built safe place before I use words that'll hurt your precious fragile feelings.
you're barkin up the wrong tree. there's nothing political about that comment, you took it that way, so WOOF back at ya with YOUR hurt feelings. there's nothin soft here. nothin that runs, nothin typical. nothin that you can hurt
Typical California fruit....go fly your fag flag you liberal lamb.
Really? Sounds like you have issues...wrong forum.
go suck your own banana, you ignorant pup. i'm originally from so. mpls., and around where i live now we have a whole base of marines, and the navy, including the seals, many of whom i've worked for and have a great deal of respect for, as well. that's what our flag is about here, not your imagined fantasies. it's more than obvious you're a thin-skinned internet hero behind a keyboard
Politics aside (c'mon guys, it's a long ways until November - let's not do this to ourselves) I think the polls are useful in that it gauges the fan base's satisfaction with how the Draft went. To me, that is every bit as interesting and rooted in fact (i.e. Did the fans like it?) than any analysts draft grades, if not more so.
And while we are fans of the Vikings, we are not the Vikings, so criticism of a pick is not all that rare. Ask Christian Ponder.
Think of it more like a polling station.
Overall it was a real solid draft I actually loved the Alexander pick . After looking through the board I'd say the one thing that suprised me and dissapointed me was to see Andrew billings go one pick after us in the 4th . This was a guy we said we'd take at 23 ! How do you pass on him in the 4th
I can't help but wondering if Billings' statement to the press at he combine that he was told from Minny that he would be drafted by them if he was available at 23 turned Minny against him.
sorry.. at THE combine
hope we bring in a punter as locke has been a disappointment (not disaster) especially as i believe we used a draft pick on him
The BigDawgDaddy knows who it was giving out all those F votes.... More than likely these 2 little fellas from Facebook: Minnesota Vikings Fans United page that go by the names Alex Hortis & Uncko Tay all both of them did was whine like Packer fans when there are no single girls at the family reunion.
Alex Hortis the whole 3 days of the draft first shoving Myles Jack down everyone's throats before the #23 pick was made, then throwing a temper tantrum when the Vikings didn't take Jack, he spent the rest of the draft complaining about every pick and reminding us all that the Vikings passed on the love of his life Myles Jack.
That Uncko feels was just like a overly inflamed hemorrhoid with his fist pounding that the Vikings should have drafted a QB to replace Teddy, because Teddy doesn't put up the numbers from a Madden game.
Man You are RIGHT ON there my friend!i am so sick of people ripping TB for not producing for their dumbass fantasy team,especially when they say how much better Carr is. First of all TB did fumble or sack away 3 games. Now think about that-3 rookie mistakes. They were only mistakes because he was driving us down again to win. Second of all 11-5 vs Carr 5-11. Did vision winner vs not even close. Thirdly TB did all of this under SIEGE. So far thee is no comparison.
Very much in agreement with the comments here about getting BPA that fills a need in the first couple of rounds. It's a head scratcher as to why they passed on some of the really highly rated players after those 2 top picks. All I can do is hope they got their guys to help build a Super Bowl quality team.
But because I'm addicted to this draft analysis and fan opinion stuff, I could not help but look at who I would have picked in each round. Being on the live chat for most of the draft, I see that several fans would have picked some of the following as well. I specifically remember shout outs for drafting DT Billings and OLB Perry and SS Jeremy Cash.
I, as some fans, were suggesting trading down in the 1st round. Being the top OT's and one of my personal favs OLB Darron Lee was were off the board and the fact that they should have been able to grab a top WR in the second round, I felt a trade down would have netted some valuable picks in the future.
That said, its difficult to argue Ricks 1st round pick of WR Treadwell. He was the consensus number one WR until he ran "slow" at the combine. Combine numbers don't always translate to production. Treadwell sure can put up some numbers and he seems to be exactly what the Vikings need. A big target that can bring the contested ball in for a reception.
Wow, 2nd round getting a highly rated CB in Alexander. Surprised by a CB pick here but this is a BPA type and as was commented before, you can't have enough quality CB's in this passing league.
Personally I was hoping to get a top OT in round one and then come back in round 2 and grab the best remaining WR out of Mike Thomas, Tyler Boyd or Braxton Miller. Looks like Rick did better than that with the 1st two picks.
The 3rd round and beyond is where some felt Rick and company strayed from the big names on web draft boards we all see/study pre draft. Using the top boards, and who was available each round, here is what I came up with:
1- WR Treadwell
2- CB Alexander
3- OLB Josh Perry
4- DT Andrew Billings (strong as a bull)
5- OT/G Spencer Drago (tough as nails)
6- OT Kyle Murphy
7- OG Vadal Alexander
7- SS Jayron Kearse
There were some RB's and TE's available late but I had to pick somebody. I know, 3 offensive linemen. Too many? How bout we add some more by targeting FA OG's Landon Turner, Avery Young, Denver Kirkland and C Jack Allen. Insert whomever you like. This is just for fun.
Other FA's to target:
QB Jake Coker
SS Jeremy Cash (can't believe he was not drafted. Several draft day comments mentioned picking him)
FS Tyvis Powell
LB Dominique Alexander
DT Darius Latham
WR's Devon Cajuste, Jaylin Marshall and De'Runnya Willson
TE Bryce Williams
Punter ?
Well there you have it, my 2 cents even though you did not ask. How bout that? Can't imagine anywhere else that anyone would be remotely interested or even read my thoughts. Well at least I'll get a couple of reads out of this, I hope.
Joe
I think we trade Patterson at the end of training camp for a couple more 2017 picks. Then we can use our plethora of picks to move up and grab Leonard Fournette from LSU to replace Adrian Peterson.
Not a bad idea SKOL since the draft picks would suggest that his time in MN is over. But I am wondering if any team would give up picks for him.
Maybe a sixth and a seventh, and those in two separate years, but that's probably the best we could expect unless he has an extraordinary pre-season AT wide receiver. And I'd only trade him if we someone - Boehringer? - had proven they could be a legitimate replacement at kick-off returner this season. Nope, it's probably still best to keep Patterson this year and then let him walk.