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According to at least one source, the Minnesota Vikings put together another solid rookie class with their group of 2017 draftees.
Over at NFL.com, they’ve graded all of the rookie classes from the NFL this year, which is way more effective than grading them ten minutes after they’ve been drafted, as we’ve said numerous times in this space. Of the NFC North teams, the Vikings were given the highest grade, as they got a B+ for their selections from the league’s official website. Among NFC North teams, the Chicago Bears also got a B+, the Detroit Lions were given a B, and the Green Bay Packers received a C+.
Here’s what they had to say about the Vikings’ rookie class of 2017:
North of New Orleans, few teams capitalized on need with their first two picks better than the Vikings. Minnesota shored up its sieve of an offensive line in free agency and then acquired a centerpiece in Elflein, who made the PFWA All-Rookie Team. If not for his season-ending ACL injury in Week 4, Cook very well might have been the top rookie back in a class that featured Kareem Hunt and Alvin Kamara. Cook will re-assume his status as Minnesota’s starting back next year, even if Jerick McKinnon wants to ”be the guy.” Gedeon proved to be a capable plug-and-play starter. Minnesota missed on the wideouts, but the team’s depth at that position makes up for it. Oddly, Sloter is currently the only QB under contract for 2018.
I still really, really wish we could have seen what Dalvin Cook would have done had he been able to play 16 games. Of all the things the Vikings have to look forward to in 2018, the biggest one for me might just be Cook’s return.
Overall, the Vikings did alright with their draft class, I think. Sure, I was more excited about the selection of tight end Bucky Hodges than I probably should have been, but with picks like Cook, Elflein, and Gedeon, Rick Spielman put together another solid group. Next year we’ll likely see much more out of Jaleel Johnson than he got an opportunity to show this season, which will make this grouping look that much better.
Do you think a B+ grade for the Vikings’ rookie class this year is sufficient? Is it too high?