The Vikings’ Draft Was Weird. Here’s Why.
The Minnesota Vikings’ draft is about one week in the rearview, and fans have warmed up to class, mainly because the franchise continued the “build the trenches” motto.
The Vikings’ Draft Was Weird. Here’s Why.
The team welcomed five new rookies and approximately 20 undrafted free agents after the event.
Admittedly, the draft felt a little weird for the purple team, and we know why. The following reasons detail why the Vikings’ draft was weird, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = weirdest aspect)
5. First WR Drafted in Round 3 Since 2003
Before Friday, April 25th, the Vikings had not used Round 3 to draft a wide receiver in 22 years. The last guy was Nate Burleson, scooped from the 2003 NFL Draft.
But eight days ago, the Vikings chose Maryland’s Tai Felton, a wide receiver, from Round 3. Most expected the pick to be a cornerback, defensive tackle, or safety, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had other plans.
Couple the fact that most didn’t believe a wide receiver was a priority with no 3rd-Round wideout since 2003, and the selection caught onlookers off guard.
4. Mock Draft Community Got the Safety Prediction Wrong
Most national mock drafters combed through the Vikings’ depth chart, saw Harrison Smith, realized he’s near retirement, and observed Theo Jackson after that. And because a national audience isn’t familiar with Jackson, it assumed Minnesota would use its 1st-Round pick on Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina) or Malaki Starks (Georgia).
But the mock draft heads got it wrong; Minnesota’s front office and coaching staff have big plans for Jackson. No Round 1 safeties were needed.
3. First Round 1 Guard for Vikings in 37 Years
Minnesota drafted Randall McDaniel in 1988, launching a Hall of Fame career. McDaniel reached 12 Pro Bowls from 1988 to 2001.
And then that was the last time the Vikings drafted a guard in Round 1. None since.
That all changed nine days ago when Adofo-Mensah picked Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson in Round 1. He’s on tap to be a Day One starter, taking Blake Brandel’s job at left guard.
On the whole, the 37-year drought for Vikings and guards in Round 1 is over.
Jackson told Vikings.com after the draft: “Of course, there was a little bit of a learning curve. I had to drop that leg back a little bit, be able to step in space. But this came from a mentality of, ‘I just want to help the team win.’ My dad taught me from a young age, like, ‘If you’re going to do anything, you better do it to the best of your ability, because one, I’m paying for it, and two, you carry the Jackson name on your back and that name carries not only yourself, but all those who came before you.'”
“So I knew if I’m moving out, I had to switch my mindset of being a guard to tackle. I had to tell myself, ‘No, you’re a tackle.’ I couldn’t give myself an excuse mentally. Just really anything to help the team win, that was my main goal.”
2. No Cornerbacks — At All
Before the draft and even now, most fans consider the cornerback position the most questionable on the depth chart.
So naturally, most expected the franchise to invest a meaningful draft pick in a corner. It did not. It drafted absolutely no cornerbacks, even passing on Will Johnson from Michigan, who tumbled all the way to Round 2 when the Arizona Cardinals pounced.
The team will roll with Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern at cornerback and hope that does the trick.
1. Zero New Running Backs
In a draft utterly well-known for running back royalty, Minnesota departed the event with none. Twenty-five teams were found in seven rounds.
But not the Vikings.
They’re content with Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Ty Chandler, and Zavier Scott.
Soon after the draft, Adofo-Mensah signed Jacksonville State’s Tre Stewart, but it’s unclear if he’ll project as a contributor on the active roster.
In truth, some fans left the draft depressed that Minnesota didn’t get it on the running back windfall.
Vikings Landed 2 “Draft Steals”
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