Minnesota Vikings 2010 NFL Draft Grade

MINNESOTA

2.34 Chris Cook, CB, Virginia
I’m not so sure about Chris Cook. He’s got the potential, and showed toughness playing through a groin injury, but he’s pretty raw. He can play the Vikings’ zone coverage, and he might even have a future at safey. But he never seemed to put his talent to full use. Still, if he hits, he’ll be a long time starter in this league. Plus his athleticism makes him a possible early start with Cedric Griffin out. GRADE: B

2.51 Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
Toby Gerhart was an awesome pick up in the second. He’s a bullish back that will spell Adrian Peterson perfectly and pick up the gritty yards. He’s a very underrated pass catcher and a great pass blocker, two things Chester Taylor took with him to Chicago. This gives the Vikings a powerful identity on the ground…again. GRADE: A-

3ROUND GRADE: B

4.100 Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Griffen has the talent physically to be a first rounder. He’s amazingly fast for a guy his size (4.59 speed at 6-03 265), and he’s strong with good length. But his inconsistencies dropped him on draft day, and that’s not going to just disappear. GRADE: B

5.161 Chris Degeare, OT, Wake Forest
I don’t know a lot about Degeare, but he’s a strong, thick blocker that fits the mold the Vikings look for. He could move inside to guard to help the ground game. GRADE: C-

5.167 Nathan Triplett, ILB, Minnesota
A homestate pick, Triplett isn’t a bad selection, but he’s nothing special. EJ Henderson keeps getting banged up however, and depth was needed. Triplett is almost strictly a run defender, but he’s a worker that will be a solid backup. GRADE: C-

6.199 Joe Webb, ATH, UAB
Call me crazy, but I think Percy Harvin’s migraines might be a real problem. ‘Webb ain’t Harvin’, but he’s a versatile athlete that can run wildcat sets and create mismatches all over with his size after moving from QB. An intriguing pick. GRADE: B

7.214 Mickey Shuler, TE, Penn State
Don’t like this pick. Yeah, Shuler has great bloodlines, and his size is decent. And he’s a pretty good blocker, but not so good that he should have been drafted over some other depth needs. GRADE: C-

7.237 Ryan D’Imperio, ILB, Rutgers
This guy was the heart and soul of the Rutgers defense for the last two years. He’s a blue collar worker type who surprised with nice athleticism at his pro day. I think he could challenge Triplett as Jasper Brinkley’s backup. GRADE: B-

Best Pick: Toby Gerhart
Worst Pick: Nathan Triplett
Sleeper Pick: Joe Webb

FINAL ANALYSIS
The Vikings did some interesting things. They moved out of the first round which was pretty much a foregone conclusion by the time the draft rolled around. They wanted Patrick Robinson. Bad. And, like the rest of us, they didn’t see the Saints as a threat to take him. When he came off the board, they went to plan B with a similar prospect in Cook. Cook’s got better size, and might be a better fit for the deep two scheme, plus he’s got versatility as a safety. He’s just raw. Gerhart was a great pick. A lot of people will miss the attributes he brings to the Vikings passing game, and he really fills the few holes that Chester Taylor left. Webb is a pick that allows this offense to become even more dynamic with his versatile skill set. He’s got work to do, but was worth a shot in the sixth.

Griffen will be given an A grade by plenty, but he fell for a reason. A guy like him should have been better in college. I don’t know much about Degeare, but I would imagine he’s being viewed as a guard in Minnesota. That’s area that needed help, but he was a reach. As was Triplett. He’s pretty one dimensional, and could have been had later. Shuler wasn’t a sexy pick, but if he develops as a blocker, he’ll be valuable, and D’Imperio is a guy to watch.

Minnesota’s offensive line was one of the worst run-blocking units in the league last year. They couldn’t open holes at center or guard, and yet they only spent one pick there. No future replacement for Pat Williams either. They added some good players (Gerhart, Cook, Griffen), but two of them are major upside picks, and one won’t even be a starter. Like a lot of these drafts, there are more questions than answers. And cowering before Brett Favre and ignoring the QB spot won’t win any games after he’s gone.

FINAL GRADE: C

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