How national experts rate the Vikings' 2023 draft performance
Depending on which publication you read the Vikings either had a decently good draft, a very middle of the pack draft, or one of the worst drafts in the league.
Here's what the experts had to say about the Vikings' six picks from this past weekend's NFL Draft:
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: 31st ranked class
The Athletic's draft expert ranked all the classes in order from 1 to 32 and the Vikings came out as one of the worst drafts in the entire league. Brugler says the Vikings grabbed "one of the best wide receivers in this class" in Jordan Addison and says seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride is a "really unique talent with some of the most fun tape in this running back class."
Brugler did not elaborate on why he thought the Vikings had a bad class.
Mike Tanier, Football Outsiders: C-
Tanier says the Vikings drafted Kellen Mond 2.0 in fifth-round QB Jaren Hall and a fumble-prone running back in McBride. On the first two selections from Minnesota, Tanier says: "Jordan Addison is fine, but I did not have Mekhi Blackmon among my top 20 cornerbacks."
Mel Kiper, ESPN: B+
The original draft expert says Addison "can run any route, and he can line up all across the formation. He just knows how to get open." Kiper says the Vikings reached for Blackmon at 102nd and he doesn't see NFL starter traits in Hall. McBride was Kiper's favorite pick by the Vikings, saying: "He is a top-100 prospect on my board."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: B+
Minnesota came in as the 15th best class according to Sporting News.
"The Vikings started off with a bang taking Addison to pair with Justin Jefferson. They lost their way with shaky consecutive selections for corner, but quickly rebounded with a steal of [nose tackle Jaquelin] Roy."
Nate Davis, USA Today: B
USA Today listed the Vikings as its 13th best draft class, highlighting the Addison pick as well as Hall and McBride selections.
"Different kind of player, but first-round WR Jordan Addison should make hay as he steps into departed Adam Thielen's role opposite Jefferson."
Mark Maski, The Washington Post: B-
"The Vikings closed an opening-round run of four straight wide receivers by taking Jordan Addison at No. 23. That was well done; they needed a complement to Justin Jefferson. The fifth-round selection of QB Jaren Hall is intriguing, with some trade speculation about Kirk Cousins."
Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated: B
SI put the Vikings in the midpack of the NFL with their draft class, giving them a B alongside 14 other teams within the B+ to B- range.
"Addison has the skillset to punish teams that decide to double Jefferson. Blackmon is a competitive cornerback."
Pro Football Focus: B-
PFF was high on Addison and Blackmon, saying of the latter: "Blackmon is coming off by far the best season of his college career."
They were less enthusiastic about fourth-round cornerback Jay Ward. "Ward failed to grade above 61.0 in both seasons in which he played 600 or more snaps," it says.
The McBride selection received more glowing reviews, with PFF saying: "McBride earned an elite 94.1 grade in 2022 with 4.6 yards after contact per carry ... he could be a perfect fit in Minnesota's zone scheme."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: C-
CBS Sports' draft analyst Pete Prisco gave the Vikings the lowest grade in the NFC North by far. (Lions: A. Packers & Bears: B+)
"After Addison, I didn't love their draft. I do like fifth-round defensive tackle Jacquelin Roy from LSU. He has talent and he's strong. Seventh-round running back DeWayne McBride was on my 'Better-Than team,' so I like him. He does have some health issues and he doesn't catch the football."
Kyle Dvorchak, Rotoworld: B
The Vikings landed in the middle of the pack over at Rotoworld with a B grade.
"Jordan Addison is a certified stud... their picks in the secondary, Mekhi Blackmon and Jay Ward, would be considered reaches."
Evan Silva, Establish The Run: C+
Evan Silva of Establish The Run has the Vikings as the second lowest graded NFC North team, ahead of only the Lions who got a D+ grade. The midseason trade for TJ Hockenson factors into Silva's grade as the Vikings gave up this year's second round pick to snag the tight end.
"I doubt this limited draft truly moved the needle, but the small handful of picks the Vikings made were at least logically sound, and Hockenson helps big time."
