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Minnesota Vikings 2015 NFL Draft Grades


Posted By: Chris Ransom on 5/23/2015



Minnesota Vikings 2015 NFL Draft Grades


Chris Ransom grades the Minnesota Vikings 2015 NFL Draft. Does Minnesota have a bright future after drafting Trae Waynes with the eleventh pick in the 2015 NFL Draft?


11. Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State A+ Grade


The Minnesota Vikings needed a cornerback across from Xavier Rhodes. Trae Waynes is that guy, and you got Terrence Newman for depth in case things don't work out.


I doubt that this is the case. Minnesota drafted the closest thing to a complete cornerback. Waynes is a top 10 talent and he reminds me of Richard Sherman.


45. Eric Kendricks, MLB, UCLA A+ Grade


Eric Kendricks was the most productive tackler among any of the middle linebackers in this draft. He has the versatility to play anywhere on the inside or the outside in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense at linebacker.


Kendricks led the NCAA with 146 total tackles in 2014. Kendricks may be undersized, but he's really the only sure-fire 3 down middle linebacker in terms of intangibles.


88. Danielle Hunter, RE, LSU A+ Grade


Danielle Hunter can rush the quarterback, stop the run, or drop back into coverage. Hunter is like Alvin Dupree with the coverage that he lacks. LSU's pass rusher only had 4 sacks, but he made up for it with 12 quarterback hurries and 13.5 tackles for a loss so having him learn behind Everson Griffen at right end will only make him better down the road as he develops.


110. T.J. Clemmings, RT, Pittsburgh A+ Grade


T.J. Clemmings is a first round talent. A foot injury caused Clemmings to fall to day 3 of the 2015 NFL Draft. Minnesota needed offensive tackle depth and they got it. Clemmings provides depth behind both left tackle Matt Kalil and right tackle Phil Loadholt.


Clemmings could take Loadholt's job as a starting right tackle. That's how good he is, plus I love the value where you can get him as a pass blocker and run blocker in the fourth round.


143. MyCole Pruitt, TE, Southern Illinois A+ Grade


In 2014, Pruitt had 81 receptions, 843 receiving yards, and 13 receiving touchdowns. Those are better than some of the numbers you see from an FCS receiver. It's not just that, Pruitt provides a good #2 tight end for depth that may unseat Kyle Rudolph if Rudolph cannot recover from his injuries or if Rudolph gets injured again.


Anyone who says this guy cannot play against FBS schools needs to see Pruitt's tape against Purdue. That should change your mind after watching his tape.


146. Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland A+ Grade


Minnesota needed a slot receiver. Sure they got Mike Wallace to pair up with Cordarrelle Patterson at wide receiver, but without Jennings you need another slot receiver. Stefon Diggs will be that guy, and many projected Diggs to go a round earlier. Some even had this guy going on Day 2 in the third round, so to get Diggs at this spot is simply phenomenal.


Patterson has made huge strides this offseason and his route running is better than ever. If Mike Wallace and running back Adrian Peterson remain Vikings and keep their nose clean this will be a deadly offense. Especially if Diggs is in the middle. Teddy Bridgewater will be tested more in year 2 with these dynamics of the Vikings' team chemistry now coming into play.


185. Tyrus Thompson, LT, Oklahoma A Grade


Minnesota gets another Oklahoma Sooner at offensive tackle after previously drafting Phil Loadholt back in 2009 out of Oklahoma who also played left tackle for the Sooners. Unlike Loadholt, who had to make the move to right tackle, Thompson remains a backup left tackle rather than being a starting right tackle. Thompson can come in and be a backup to Matt Kalil at left tackle.


193. B.J. Dubose, LE, Louisville A Grade


B.J. Dubose is a good run stuffer and excellent pass rusher as he got to Jameis Winston as seen in the photo above. His versatility to play right end, left end, or defensive tackle in the 4-3 along with his ability 3-4 outside linebacker makes him such a valued asset in the trenches on the defensive line.


228. Austin Shepherd, RT, Alabama A Grade


Austin Shepherd is a backup right tackle at best. Still, he's a nice insurance policy if Clemmings cannot recover from his foot injury, and was too good to pas on at this point.


232. Edmond Robinson, LOLB, Newberry A- Grade


Minnesota took the first Division 2 player here. Robinson is a left outside linebacker, but he also displays the versatility to play right outside linebacker or middle linebacker.


Robinson may need a year or 2 on a practice squad before making the roster as a backup. At the same time, he's an excellent tackler on special teams, and having him as a backup to either Anthony Barr or Chad Greenway is fitting. Gerald Hodges should come in if one of those guys gets injured, but if both Barr and Greenway go down, then someone like Robinson will have to step in. The Vikings got an A- grade for that reason.


Minnesota Vikings Team Grade: A+ Grade


This was an awesome draft for the Vikings. The Vikings drafted 10 players and all 10 picks got an A- grade or higher. Even though Chicago added 3 starters, the Vikings got 2 starters on defense in Waynes and Kendricks who will both be immediate impact players at cornerback and middle linebacker.


Minnesota used the rest of their picks to add depth to this roster. The one thing I would have liked to see the Vikings do is add a guard. Still you cannot fault the Vikings for that because General Manager Rick Spielman out drafted the other 31 GMs during draft day weekend for all 3 days of the 2015 NFL Draft after having strong drafts in 2013 and 2014.

















Minnesota Vikings 2014 NFL Draft Grades

Posted By Chris Ransom on 5/18/2014


Chris Ransom breaks down the Vikings 2014 NFL Draft grades.







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