5 Vikings Draft Picks Crack ESPN’s Top-100 List
Out of 257 draft picks, the Minnesota Vikings saw five of their own on a pretty intriguing ESPN list. That list? Matt Miller’s top 100 picks by value.
How Miller broke down his list was as follows: value, scheme fit, addressing a need, what the player can bring on the field, and what was involved in acquiring the player. While there were risks (see Kyle Joudry), the Vikings received high marks for their draft picks overall. In this piece, I’ll include Miller’s explanation of his picks and where he placed the five Vikings. So, who’s on the ESPN list? Let’s take a look.
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5 Vikings Draft Picks Crack ESPN’s Top-100 List
1st Selection: OT Caleb Tiernan (Was picked 97th overall, graded out at 61 on Miller’s final list)
The offensive line was addressed in round three, and the first choice on Mr. Miller’s ESPN List has some decent value to bring. On Tiernan, Miller wrote the following: “A value pickup at the end of round 3, Tiernan should be viewed as the long-term plan at right tackle. Brian O’Neill is still a very good player at 30, but the team must decide on his expiring contract after this season. Drafting Tiernan might give us a hint about Minnesota’s long-term plans.”
What sort of plans remain a mystery to this point, but it’s not a bad thing to go for insurance, especially during the middle rounds. So, it’s fair that Miller put him at 34th on this value list.
2nd Selection: DT Caleb Banks (Was picked 18th overall, graded out at 48, value level 43)
It was a good idea to take Banks in the first round. But some health question marks pushed him toward the 40s on this ESPN list. As Miller denotes, “The biggest surprise of Round 1 —– more than [Ty] Simpson or [Carnell] Tate —– was Banks finding his way into the top 20. Foot injuries sidelined Banks throughout last season and in the predraft process, but he should be seen as an immediate starter when healthy with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave being released this offseason. The middle of the Vikings’ line was low on talent, and Banks is easily the most traits-rich player on the roster.”
Sure, the injury question marks might have pushed this decision into slight reach territory, but there’s no denying the talent of Banks, especially considering he had 21 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection in his junior season in 2024.
3rd Selection: DT Domonique Orange (Was picked 82nd overall, graded out at 68, value level 68)
For the third choice on this ESPN list, a defensive tackle with a semi-fitting nickname has an even value and grade. On the former Iowa State Cyclone Domonique Orange, Miller notes: “The Vikings doubled up at defensive tackle with ‘Big Citrus’. As discussed earlier, defensive tackle was one of two weak links on the roster (along with safety), and with the safety class showing more depth, the Vikings went heavy early at D-tackle.”
Now, no health questions on Orange, and as Miller puts on his ESPN list, this pick has some potential high upside caliber to him. “The return on investment will be huge if they can get two starting-level defensive tackles on rookie contracts. Like Banks, Orange will be given every opportunity to start in Week 1.”
Now, there’s a possibility that Banks and Orange could draw comparisons to Allen and Hargrave, or maybe even shatter those expectations, but at this point, let’s not get too far ahead.
4th Selection: TE/FB Max Bredeson (Was picked 159th overall, graded out at 126, value level 83)
An ESPN list that includes a fullback. A rarity these days. Then again, the Vikings did have a long-time fullback in CJ Ham, but he recently retired. Thus, Bredeson was the choice in the fifth round. And Miller, along with some of his staff, was happy to publish this quote on that ESPN list.
Per Miller: “When a fullback comes off the board in round 5, we’re going to celebrate. Bredeson was a rock for Michigan and has the flexibility to line up as a fullback or H-back. A former quarterback and walk-on, Bredeson was invaluable to the Michigan offense thanks to his ability to align in multiple roles. He had no peers in the class as a blocker. If there’s going to be a power run game in Minnesota, Bredeson is the fullback you want kicking it off.”
There could be a chance that Bredeson could be the next CJ Ham. Maybe. But it’s a big legacy to fill.
5th and Final Selection: RB Demond Claiborne (Was picked 198th overall, graded out at 160, value level 85)
For the final selection on this ESPN list, the running back room gets more shine. With Miller’s thoughts on Demond Claiborne: “Claiborne can be the lightning to the thunder of veteran Aaron Jones Sr. and Bredeson. A speedy back at 5-10, 188 pounds, Claiborne lit up the combine with a 4.37 40 but also runs with good power on a compact frame. His value as a third-down back will be seen early, and his 51 catches over the past two seasons show what he can do coming out of the backfield as a receiver.”
In a way, with his frame, he could be described as a slightly taller Darren Sproles.
So, the ESPN list of value picks is a very grand idea by Matt Miller. And to see that five Minnesota Vikings made said ESPN list is some positive momentum to take into the training camp session, and, in a few months, the preseason. It will be very exciting to see what this momentum can lead to. But early signs point to these prospects bringing significant intrigue to the Twin Cities.
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