There are a lot of different ways to go about the NFL Draft. Some general managers like Rick Spielman, like to wheel and deal. Spielman is all about value, he’ll parlay a few picks to move up, or he’ll take one to move down. He did all of the above during the 2013 draft, and many think, he may have done best job in all the NFL.
I think it’s kind of pointless to judge a draft class before they’ve even attended minicamp, but I think you can fairly say, that the Minnesota Vikings did a good job this year throughout draft weekend.
Day one, as it turned out, was the team’s primary focus. Things could have been a lot different, but defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd dropped all the way to No. 23. With DT being on the ‘needs list,’ the Vikings snatched up the projected top-five prospect. After Floyd fell in the Vikings’ proverbial lap, it was game on.
The Floyd pick then set off a chain of events which resulted in CB Xavier Rhodes joining the team at No. 25, and Cordarrelle Patterson coming on board four picks later after a quick deal with the New England Patriots. When it was all said and done, the Vikings were left without a pick on day two, but it was well worth it.
Then on day three, the remaining team needs were addressed, with linebackers and offensive line help. One surprising pick came in the form of punter Jeff Locke in the fifth round, but other than that, Minnesota accomplished all objectives. In total, players were added at DT, CB, WR, P, OG, and LB.
While it was kind of frustrating to not have a pick on day two, the first round talent more than made up for it. The Vikings got good value later in the rounds, and ended up with a well-balanced draft class. To be critical, they didn’t really get a for sure starting middle linebacker. This is now an area where you’d have to believe the team will revisit free agency, and review all available options.
Other than that, this draft was a huge success. For me, as long as the Vikings got a top-tier receiver in round one, I was going to be satisfied. I never expected them to land a talent like Floyd, as well as guys like Rhodes and Patterson. It wasn’t conventional for Minnesota in 2013, but Spielman and company still got the job done.
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