The Snazzy Verdict from NFL Executives on Vikings Draft
Dustin Baker
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Many Bs and Cs circulated the digital stratosphere regarding the Minnesota Vikings draft haul but count NFL executives out as naysayers.
According to The Athletic, some NFL executives were quite impressed with Minnesota’s draft picks. The Vikings drafted these six men:
- R1: Jordan Addison (WR, USC)
- R3: Mekhi Blackmon (CB, USC)
- R4: Jay Ward (S, LSU)
- R5: Jaquelin Roy (DT, LSU)
- R5: Jaren Hall (QB, BYU)
- R7: DeWayne McBride (RB, UAB)
The Snazzy Verdict from NFL Executives on Vikings Draft
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded the 2023 2nd-Round pick last November for tight end T.J. Hockenson in what turned out basically as a pick swap. Minnesota traded three rounds’ worth of draft capital for Hockenson.
One executive told The Athletic’s Mike Sando, “Give them credit for getting good players while being limited in their resources. They made a couple savvy trade-backs, got a fifth next year [from Kansas City]. They were able to create value. We liked Addison, we liked Blackmon, we liked Jaren Hall.”
Another applauded the Addison addition after an Adam Thielen subtraction, “You lose Thielen and then you add a really good route runner in Addison, a good get for them. You probably wish they could have gotten more for the defensive side of the ball, but they had to get the receiver where they got him, while greater depth at corner let them get one who will fit Flores’ system.”
Sando personally mentioned Addison’s draft stock heading into the event, “Addison was the fourth of four first-round wide receivers in a draft that had no consensus No. 1 wideout.”
The Vikings selected Addison to presumably fill WR2 responsibilities as early as Week 1, although incumbent WR K.J. Osborn may disagree. But that’s why summer camp battles exist. In fact, most draft pundits universally commended the Addison pick — because who would disapprove of pairing Justin Jefferson with a top-notch running mate.
Still, others not vested with the ‘former executive’ title were less enthused about Minnesota’s draft. CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco enjoyed the Addison choice but chided the draft haul otherwise, “After Addison, I didn’t love their draft. I do like fifth-round defensive tackle Jacquelin Roy from LSU. He has talent and he’s strong. Seventh-round running back DeWayne McBride was on my Better-Than team, so I like him. He does have some health issues and he doesn’t catch the football.”
Prisco awarded the Vikings a C- for their draft troubles. In the next few years, we shall see who was correct — former NFL executives or draft heads.
The Vikings begin mandatory minicamp on June 13th.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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