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kgdabom -> RE: NFL Draft 2020 (4/29/2020 11:01:53 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2020-nfl-draft-grades-for-all-32-teams
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Round 1 (22): WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
Round 1 (31): CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
Round 2 (58): T Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
Round 3 (89): CB Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State
Round 4 (117): Edge DJ Wonnum, South Carolina
Round 4 (130): Edge James Lynch, Baylor
Round 4 (132): LB Troy Dye, Oregon
Round 5 (169): CB Harrison Hand, Temple
Round 5 (176): WR KJ Osborn, Miami (Fla.)
Round 6 (203): T Blake Brandel, Oregon State
Round 6 (205): S Josh Metellus, Michigan
Round 7 (225): Edge Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
Round 7 (244): QB Nate Stanley, Iowa
Round 7 (249): S Brian Cole II, Mississippi State
Round 7 (253): IOL Kyle Hinton, Washburn
Day 1: “The first order of business for Minnesota was damage limitation. The Vikings traded away Diggs; whether their hand was forced or not, the fact remains that one of the team’s best players from 2019 would be playing elsewhere in 2020. The position group he departed wasn’t nearly strong enough to cope with that loss without reinforcements. One of the team’s two first-round picks likely had to be spent on receiver, and that player will be expected to have a significant role immediately, lest the team be forced to rely on Tajae Sharpe, whose NFL career has averaged a PFF grade of 64.9.
Justin Jefferson to the Vikings was one of the most common player-team matchups on the PFF Draft Sim all through the pre-draft process, and it was a combination that made a lot of sense. Jefferson has the size (6-foot-2, 192 pounds) and route-running savvy to be successful from day one. While the PFF Big Board didn’t love him (he was No. 32 overall, behind a couple of receivers that lasted into the second round), he was a player who had an extremely staunch support base within the NFL — someone who was always going to go higher than his ranking. Jefferson’s grade improved in each of the past two seasons, landing at 85.3 overall in 2019. He brings experience playing both outside and inside in the slot, exactly as Diggs did. This first pick was about damage limitation, and this succeeded in limiting the damage as much as they could.” — PFF’s Sam Monson
“A number of teams will steer clear of Gladney in the early rounds due to size concerns and a recent surgery to repair his torn meniscus, but the team willing to move past those cons in his evaluation will reap the rewards. Gladney’s ball skills, instincts and physical demeanor should translate to early success in the NFL.” — PFF’s Austin Gayle
Jefferson and Gladney ranked 32nd and 34th, respectively, on PFF’s big board.
Day 2: “Tackle wasn’t necessarily the biggest weakness on this team, but it does give them some flexibility at the position and allow the line as a whole to creep back to, or even above, average going forward. Cleveland is a pick for the future but could potentially make an impact right away. “ — PFF’s Sam Monson
“His slight frame will be a concern and was what caused him to slip as far as he did, but at some point, you need to trust the tape. Dantzler’s tape is as strong as any corner in this class outside of Jeffrey Okudah — to snag him as low as they did represents a relatively low risk with a potentially huge payoff.” — PFF’s Sam Monson
Cleveland and Dantzler ranked 58th and 50th, respectively, on PFF’s big board.
Day 3: Minnesota certainly wasn’t short on Day 3 picks. Of their 11 selections on Saturday, the two players who stick out as the best values on the PFF board are Troy Dye and Kenny Willekes. Dye has plenty of starting experience at linebacker for the Oregon Ducks and a track record of strong play in coverage where he can use his length to influence passing lanes. He has four straight seasons of 70.0-plus coverage grades. Willekes was 83rd on the PFF Big Board thanks in large part to how reliable he was against the run. He earned the top run defender superlative in the PFF Draft Guide, and his ability to push the pocket along with his high motor could lead to reasonable production as a pass-rusher.
Draft Grade: A
Despite us taking both Gladney and Jefferson sooner than the PFF big board had they they still loved our draft. Getting Willekes 142 spots later than they had him on their board I'm sure helped a lot with their kind grade of A for us.
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