Open Rants by kkunert327

With the draft in the books time to go back and do a wrap up of how teams made out. I might be a bit of a harsh critic to the top 3 round picks, but that is where you need to hit in the draft to be successful. Sure most of the league is 4th rounders and later, but any that turn into Pro Bowlers or All-Pro players is mostly out of luck. So without further adieu, let's go over the Vikings and their massive draft haul. 

1 (22) - Justin Jefferson WR LSU - B- 

1 (31) - Jeff Gladney CB TCU - B

2 (26) - Ezra Cleveland OT Boise St - C-

3 (25) - Cameron Dantzler CB Mississippi St - A

So with a million picks in this draft the top few picks of the draft were solid albeit lacking in my opinion. I do think getting Jefferson after Jalen Reagor is pretty good value, but they very well could have gotten a fine receiver in the 3rd, 4th, or later rounds. He should fit very well in their offense and take over Stefon Diggs' role very well. His route running, quickness, and hands are very strong. I would not be shocked if he turns out the best of the bunch or at least on the same level of Jerry Jeudy from the class. I still think they could have gotten a similar or just an 80 percent version of him later. Gladney to me was never a strong prospect in my opinion, he is a nice corner, but I never saw him as a true high end prospect like many saw. To me he never really proved anything in a pass happy league like the Big 12. However, I do think this was the range he should have gone with him going up boards and getting him after Damon Arnette and Noah Igbinognehe was just even good value. Same goes for Cleveland, but I saw no reason to take him over Josh Jones who was a much better prospect in my opinion, They really do need upgrades all over the line outside of Bradbury, and O'Neill. However, Cleveland to me is a risky play for them since he may have to play sooner than he should. He is a work in progress who missed a lot of games in college due to injury. I feel like they could have easily moved back and got him later or taken a better prospect in the 2nd round. Dantzler was their best pick and I would not be shocked if he turns out to be better than Jeff Gladney. He played against stiffer competition in the SEC and has very long arms with can be an immediate starter. His high floor to me was well worth the pick in the 3rd round and very easily could have been taken in the first round. 

4 (11) - D.J. Wonnum DE South Carolina - C-

4 (24) - James Lynch DT Baylor - B

4 (26) - Troy Dye LB Oregon - B-

5 (24) - Harrison Hand CB Temple - D

5 (31) - K.J. Osborn WR Miami - D

6 (24) - Blake Brandel OT Oregon St - D

6 (26) - Josh Mettelus S Michigan - C

7 (11) - Kenny Willekes DE Michigan St - A

7 (30) - Nate Stanley QB Iowa - C+

7 (35) - Brian Cole II S Mississippi St - C

7 (39) - Kyle Hinton OG Washburn - D

Wow, never seen a team have so many picks and not really maximize finding upside talent. A lot of these guys were either undraftable or 7th round prospects if any thing. Wonnum is a long work of progress and where they could have had Yetur Gross-Matos in the first round I think this was a big oversight. Finding an edge rusher to replace Everson Griffen was a huge need in my mind and I do not think Wonnum will even beat out Ifedi Odenigbo who played well last year. I do like Lynch and his upside, but he will not be able to beat out Jayln Holmes, Jaleel Johnson, or Shamar Stephen. They could have done better had they not taken a bad prospect in my opinion Ezra Cleveland in the first round. I do like Dye, but again with a linebacker duo of Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks eating up snaps, he will not have a place to play much. Osborn is a lower end athlete and could have been easily been had later in the draft. Hand is a similar athlete to Osborn, which not good to have at the corner spot. Mettelus and Cole are very much similar to Hand. Brandel was a throw away developmental prospect, but I thought again they could have done better. My favorite pick was Willekes who could have gone as high as the 2nd round. He has a high floor and continues to get better each year after being a Walk On at Michigan St. I would not be surprised if he is a better pick than Wonnum. Stanley is a nice value since, many saw him as a high priority back up prospect at the quarterback position, he should be able to be a nice safety blanket if Cousins gets hurt. Actually, that might not be needed with how sturdy Cousins has been not missing any games in his career thus far. I normally side with the more picks, the higher chances you have to hit on a prospect, with the draft being a sort of lottery. However, there can be a curse having too many picks here where you just suddenly make every one into a safe or throw away pick. None of these guys taken on Day 3 will contribute as rookies or even down the road possibly. Personally, with a solid roster, the Vikings would have been smart trading these picks for picks next year or the year after. This draft gets a C and it's shocking since normally GM Rick Spielman is usually a pretty good drafter. 

1/14/2021 - 2021 NFL Draft - Post Wild Card
1/6/2021 - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - End of Season
12/10/2020 - 2021 NFL Draft Vol 5
11/22/2020 - Draft Vol 4
10/28/2020 - 2021 NFL Draft Vol. 3
10/23/2020 - NFL Draft Vol 2
10/13/2020 - 2021 NFL Draft Vol 1
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5/5/2020 - 2020 Post Draft Prospect Rankings: Quarterbacks
5/4/2020 - 2020 Draft Grade: Kansas City Chiefs
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