The Minnesota Vikings knew heading into the draft this year that they had to fill several holes on both sides of the ball. They managed to do so while finding extreme value throughout at many positions of need.

Here’s a complete list of the selections made in this year’s draft and a grade for each player.

Round one: Virginia Tech LT Christian Darrisaw

The offensive line was one of the biggest priorities coming into the draft after a 2020 season in which the unit struggled immensely. Christian Darrisaw was PFF’s highest-graded pass blocker in the power five conferences with an overall grade of 94.5.

He has good athleticism to match up in the outside zone scheme, but he also has the ideal size for the position. It’s going to be fun watching him utilized in space in the screen game as well, as the Vikings use Dalvin Cook frequently in that regard.

Not only did the Vikings find their left tackle of the future, but they did so while moving back nine spots and acquiring two more picks in the third-round.

Grade: A

Round three: Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond

Speaking of acquiring two more picks in the third-round, the Vikings attempted to find their quarterback of the future with one of the picks they got in return from the Jets.

Kirk Cousins is the quarterback for the Vikings in 2021 and there’s a chance he is well beyond that as well. However, it was time for the team to find a legit backup plan on a rookie contract.

That’s exactly what they found in Kellen Mond, who has a high ceiling but needs some development. The front office was high on him throughout the process, and it’s easy to see why after he won the MVP of the Senior Bowl and put on a show at his pro day.

It’s unlikely the fanbase gets to see much of Mond in 2021, but they may have picked up their successor plan for Cousins.

Grade: B+

Round three: North Carolina LB Chazz Surratt

This was the first pick for the Vikings that I questioned when they read the card on stage. Chazz Surratt switched to linebacker after being brought to North Carolina as a quarterback.

Mel Kiper said that he’s a fan of this pick and said that he expects him to see the field early on in his career.

Personally I felt the Vikings could have addressed another need here, but maybe they’re setting themselves up for life after Anthony Barr.

Nevertheless, they got an athletic prospect with a good nose for the football.

Grade: B-

Round three: Ohio State OG Wyatt Davis

Perhaps my favorite of the four third-round selections, Wyatt Davis should not have been available for the Vikings at 86. There is a ton of value in this selection and I expect Davis to be starting on the offensive line from day one.

The former Buckeye plays with a nastiness to his game, but he’s also athletic enough to handle the outside zone scheme that the Vikings run. There were some mocks that had the Vikings looking at him in the first-round, so grabbing him in the third round was one of the biggest value picks in their entire class.

After watching a disgruntled offensive line in 2020, the Vikings front office decided it was time for a makeover to the unit. Davis and Darrisaw should both be impact players instantly.

Grade: A+

Round three: Pittsburgh DE Patrick Jones II

There’s a real possibility that Patrick Jones II will be the starting defensive end opposite of Danielle Hunter in 2021. If that’s the case, this pick is also solid value for the Vikings.

Jones II was a consensus All-American in 2020 after racking up nine sacks in 11 games. He plays with good effort and is strictly a pass rushing defensive end. He fits in perfectly with the Vikings 4-3 scheme and Andre Patterson gets another tool in his toolbox.

Finding players that can get after the quarterback in this class was also a priority, and they got off to a good start with their final pick in the third-round.

Grade: A-

Round four: Iowa State RB Kene Nwangwu

Running back wasn’t a critical need and was one of the Vikings’ strongest positional groups a year ago. However, their return game was atrocious and that’s where this pick starts to make more sense.

Nwangwu is an elite athlete and he shows that off in the return game. He could also be a good change of pace back on third down, where the Vikings could utilize his speed in the passing game.

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