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NFL • 11 months ago

2015 NFL Draft Grades for the Minnesota Vikings

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Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

2015 NFL Draft: Post-Draft Grades For the Minnesota Vikings

Trae Waynes, Minnesota Vikings — After some trade maneuvering by general manager Rick Spielman, the Minnesota Vikings made 10 selections in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Here are my pick-by-pick grades for all 10 of Minnesota's draft picks.

After some trade maneuvering by general manager Rick Spielman, the Minnesota Vikings made 10 selections in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Here are my pick-by-pick grades for all 10 of Minnesota's draft picks.

1st Round, Pick #11- Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Trae Waynes, Michigan State

1st Round, Pick #11- Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Trae Waynes, Michigan State — Waynes looks like a great fit for the Vikings' defensive scheme, as long as he can tone down his physical style a bit.

Grade: A

Waynes looks like a great fit for the Vikings' defensive scheme, as long as he can tone down his physical style a bit.

Grade: A

2nd Round, Pick #45- Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA

Eric Kendricks, UCLA

2nd Round, Pick #45- Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA

Eric Kendricks, UCLA — Kendricks was widely projected to be a late first-round pick, but fell into the second round fairly substantially. He should fill a need for the Vikings at middle linebacker, and is a tremendous value pick to boot.

Grade: A

Kendricks was widely projected to be a late first-round pick, but fell into the second round fairly substantially. He should fill a need for the Vikings at middle linebacker, and is a tremendous value pick to boot.

Grade: A

3rd Round, Pick #88- Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU

Danielle Hunter, LSU

3rd Round, Pick #88- Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU

Danielle Hunter, LSU — The Vikings traded down in the third round and eventually drafted Hunter. He should earn a roster spot fairly easily, and possibly make a case for an increased role as his rookie season goes on.

Grade: B-

The Vikings traded down in the third round and eventually drafted Hunter. He should earn a roster spot fairly easily, and possibly make a case for an increased role as his rookie season goes on.

Grade: B-

4th Round, Pick #110- T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

T.J. Clemmings, Pitt

4th Round, Pick #110- T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

T.J. Clemmings, Pitt — Clemmings was mentioned as a potential first-round pick at one point, but recent concerns over an old foot injury led to a dramatic fall. He could start at left guard for the Vikings immediately, and eventually take over at one of the tackle spots.

Grade: A

Clemmings was mentioned as a potential first-round pick at one point, but recent concerns over an old foot injury led to a dramatic fall. He could start at left guard for the Vikings immediately, and eventually take over at one of the tackle spots.

Grade: A

5th Round, Pick #143- MyCole Pruitt, TE, Southern Illinois

MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois

5th Round, Pick #143- MyCole Pruitt, TE, Southern Illinois

MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois — Pruitt holds Missouri Valley Conference records for receptions (221), receiving yards (2,601) and receiving touchdowns (25) by a tight end. He was among the top performers at the position in multiple events at the combine, and he could be the Vikings' third tight end immediately.

Grade: C+

Pruitt holds Missouri Valley Conference records for receptions (221), receiving yards (2,601) and receiving touchdowns (25) by a tight end. He was among the top performers at the position in multiple events at the combine, and he could be the Vikings' third tight end immediately.

Grade: C+

5th Round, Pick #146- Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland

Stefon Diggs, Maryland

5th Round, Pick #146- Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland

Stefon Diggs, Maryland — It would have been nice to see the Vikings draft a wide receiver sooner than the fifth round, but Diggs is a versatile weapon that can contribute in the return game as well.

Grade: C+

It would have been nice to see the Vikings draft a wide receiver sooner than the fifth round, but Diggs is a versatile weapon that can contribute in the return game as well.

Grade: C+

6th Round, Pick #185- Tyrus Thompson, OT, Oklahoma

Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma

6th Round, Pick #185- Tyrus Thompson, OT, Oklahoma

Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma — Spielman said Thompson, who started 24 games at left tackle over his final two seasons at Oklahoma, projects as a swing tackle or he could move to guard. That possible versatility should be an asset.

Grade: C

Spielman said Thompson, who started 24 games at left tackle over his final two seasons at Oklahoma, projects as a swing tackle or he could move to guard. That possible versatility should be an asset.

Grade: C

6th Round, Pick #193- B.J. Dubose, DE, Louisville

B.J. Dubose, Louisville

6th Round, Pick #193- B.J. Dubose, DE, Louisville

B.J. Dubose, Louisville — Dubose's production at Louisville did not stand out, but he did play defensive end and defensive tackle during his college career. I see this as a dismal pick overall, even for a sixth-rounder, and Dubose looks likely to be someone Vikings' fans can quickly forget about.

Grade: D+

Dubose's production at Louisville did not stand out, but he did play defensive end and defensive tackle during his college career. I see this as a dismal pick overall, even for a sixth-rounder, and Dubose looks likely to be someone Vikings' fans can quickly forget about.

Grade: D+

7th Round, Pick #228- Austin Shepherd, OT, Alabama

Austin Shepherd, Alabama

7th Round, Pick #228- Austin Shepherd, OT, Alabama

Austin Shepherd, Alabama — Spielman said Shepherd will probably start out at guard, and I think he has a chance to stick as a versatile backup that the Vikings could use.

Grade: B-

Spielman said Shepherd will probably start out at guard, and I think he has a chance to stick as a versatile backup that the Vikings could use.

Grade: B-

7th Round, Pick #232- Edmond Robinson, OLB, Newberry

Edmond Robinson, 2015 NFL Draft

7th Round, Pick #232- Edmond Robinson, OLB, Newberry

Edmond Robinson, 2015 NFL Draft — Robinson is a Division II prospect that seems unlikely to crack the Vikings' 53-man roster, but he could find his way to the practice squad. Not much to see here.

Grade: C

Robinson is a Division II prospect that seems unlikely to crack the Vikings' 53-man roster, but he could find his way to the practice squad. Not much to see here.

Grade: C

Teams in this article »
Minnesota Vikings

Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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