After starting 5-0 last season, the Minnesota Vikings limped to a 3-8 finish. General Manager Rick Spielman knew he needed to take advantage of a deep draft class if the team is to return to the post season. Without a first round pick following the trade for Sam Bradford, Spielman needed to hit a home run. After a disappointing haul a year ago, he seems to have done just that. The Vikings made seven draft day trades, turning eight draft picks into eleven. This is especially impressive considering that they moved up twice on day two of the draft. Most of the players selected will be able to compete for key roles on offense and defense immediately. The others can be solid special teams contributors early on. They managed to fill needs and provide depth at several positions. Without further ado, here is the Minnesota Vikings 2017 Draft class:
2nd Round, 41st Overall: HB Dalvin Cook (Florida State)
3rd Round, 70th Overall: C/OG Pat Elflein (Ohio State)
4th Round, 109th Overall: DT Jaleel Johnson (Iowa)
4th Round, 120th Overall: ILB Ben Gedeon (Michigan)
5th Round, 170th Overall: WR Rodney Adams (South Florida)
5th Round, 180th Overall: OG Danny Isidora (Miami)
6th Round, 201st Overall: TE Bucky Hodges (Virginia Tech)
7th Round, 219th Overall: WR Stacy Coley (Miami)
7th Round, 220th Overall: DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (Northwestern)
7th Round, 232nd Overall: OLB Elijah Lee (Kansas State)
7th Round, 245th Overall: DB Jack Tocho (N.C. State)
Vikings 2017 Draft Grade: 9/10
Minnesota Vikings 2017 NFL Draft Review
Best Player
After wising up and moving on from Adrian Peterson, the team had a hole at running back. They quickly found the back of the future in former Florida State Seminole Dalvin Cook. Seen as possibly the best running back in the draft, Cook fell to the second round due to off-field issues and a sub-par combine performance. Cook will not be handed a starting job, but the dynamic back will likely seize a top roll by the end of camp. The speedy back had good vision and great receiving ability. Despite his small size, he was one of the best running backs in college football at breaking tackles last season.
Cook was not expected to last until the Vikings’ first pick, so many fans do not know about him. After trading up for Cook and hinting that he was one of the top runners on their draft board, it is clear Rick Spielman and the team have high expectations for Cook entering his rookie season. Several analysts have already noted Cook as an early contender for rookie of the year both due to his talent and the great fit in Minnesota.
Head Scratcher
Although the Vikings had a need at linebacker following Chad Greenway‘s retirement, the selection of Michigan linebacker Ben Gedeon in the fourth round is a curious one. Gedeon has only been a full time starter since 2016 and he is more of an inside linebacker than a weak side ‘backer, which is where Greenway played. Further, Gedeon is only an average athlete who struggles in man coverage. Although he was a productive tackler, the Vikings drafted a similar player last year in former Missouri linebacker Kentrell Brothers. Gedeon should be a very good special teams player, but the fourth round seems too early to draft a player who could be relegated to kick coverage.
The Suprise
Even though he is the best player the Vikings drafted, Dalvin Cook was also the biggest surprise. Fans and analysts expected him to be off the board before Minnesota would have a shot at him, so many Vikings fans failed to learn about him prior to the draft. Instead, fans focused on mid round possibilities like Samaje Perine and Wayne Gallman. Instead, the Vikings ended up with possibly the best running back in the draft, one who has been compared for former Chiefs star Jamaal Charles. It was also surprising to see Spielman trade up for Cook, given his history of trading back to accumulate picks. This pick was the best kind of surprise, one which gave fans more than they could have hoped for.
The Steal
Bucky Hodges may go down not just as a steal for the Vikings, but as one of the biggest steals in the entire draft. Projected as a third round pick and one of the top tight ends in a deep class, Hodges fell to the sixth round. At 6-6 and over 250 pounds, Hodges is a receiver in a tight end’s body. He has little experience as an in-line blocker, but the former high school quarterback ran a 4.57 forty yard dash at the combine and caught 20 touchdowns over the last two season for Virginia Tech. Now with a chip on his shoulder and a promise to be “remembered forever in the NFL,” Hodges has the skill and attitude to make teams pay for passing on him.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp
Although he was a seventh round pick, receiver Stacy Coley could quickly earn a roll with the Vikings. Every year, Twin Cities media give the Mr. Mankato award to a sleeper who stands out in training camp. Watch for Coley to make a strong push to be named Mr. Mankato. Seen by many scouts as an early or mid round talent, Coley fell to questions about his passion and durability. His scouting report and measurable read very similar to another current Viking, and Mr. Mankato winner, Stefon Diggs. Both receivers are strong, fast, and fluid with great hands, both have kick return experience, and both have the extra motivation of being passed on through most of the draft. With high character receivers like Diggs and Adam Thielen in the room, Coley is in the perfect position to stand out, as long as he can find his passion.
The Rest
Several more players who the Vikings selected will likely contribute to varying degrees. Pat Elflein has the potential to be a ten year starter at any spot along the interior offensive line. His athleticism is average at best, but he is a technician, passionate, and tough. The former wrestler epitomizes a Mike Zimmer football player.
Jaleel Johnson is just the latest in a proud history of former Hawkeyes in Minnesota. He can play either defensive tackle position, although he will likely play the 3-technique where he has a chance to start. Massive and explosive, he can rush the passer and stop the run. He needs work on constancy penetrating the backfield, but with the help of defensive line coach Andre Patterson, he could prove to be a star.
Rodney Adams has the potential to be an immediate replacement for Cordarrelle Patterson. Speedy and long, Adams can fill a void as a kick returner and as a deep threat. His slight frame inconsistent hands may worry fans, but he is a tough player who insists that he refuses to be tackled. Danny Isidora is an athletic, experienced right guard who, with some added strength and coaching, could develop quickly into a starter of the same mold as a pre-injury Brandon Fusco.
Ifeadi Odenigbo finished his career second in team history with 23.5 sacks as a part time player. A pure pass rusher, Odenigbo is raw, but is the type of long, athletic end Zimmer loves. Many Vikings fans wanted Elijah Lee far earlier than the team finally selected him. Fast and long, Lee fits the mold of what teams want in a modern WILL linebacker. Although the Vikings chose another linebacker earlier in the draft, Lee has a higher ceiling and could go down as the better player. He is a big hitter and solid in coverage. He does need to gain weight and strength to avoid being eaten up by blockers at the next level, but in a fair competition he could win the starting WILL linebacker job this season.
Jack Tocho is a big physical corner wiht limited athletic upside. He is a very intelligent and experienced player who has been able to thrive by understanding his abilities. He may be a candidate to transition to safety due to his stiffness and lack of top end speed. Drafting eleven players, the Vikings are playing a numbers game. The more picks they make, the higher the chances are of finding hidden talent. In the past, this has meant questionable selections of players like Willie Beavers or Moritz Boehringer. This year, it seems to have led to a more calculated, careful approach. Even though is is unlikely that every player from this class will make the final roster, this appears to be a solid draft and one of the better top-to-bottom classes in recent memory for Minnesota.
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