PFF Gives Vikings A+ for 2020 Draft Class
Brett Peterson
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The Minnesota Vikings are notorious for hitting on their draft picks. Rick Spielman has always been a great drafter at GM and does a great job at building the roster. With the selection of Justin Jefferson last season, it’s hard to argue a grade that’s anything less than an “A”. Jefferson is on his way to becoming one of the top five wide receivers in the entire NFL.
The Vikings also hit on a few other draft picks as well from 2020,
Jeff Gladney’s situation is up in the air right now. Prior to the recent reports and legal issues, Gladney was set to become a very solid corner in Mike Zimmer’s secondary. We will have to see how that one plays out. But getting Justin Jefferson at pick #22 is an absolute steal. He was the 5th wide receiver that was taken. Just amazing value for an elite WR towards the end of the first round. Even with Gladney’s situation, the Vikings still had a very successful first round.
In the second round, the Vikings selected Ezra Cleveland out of Boise State. Cleveland is set to become a very solid player for the Vikings along the offensive line. The second year player looks to continue his solid play in 2021. The Vikings also selected Cam Dantzler in the 3rd round.
PFF was very high on the selection of Dantlzer,
“Cameron Dantzler was quietly the second highest-graded rookie corner after a strong second half of the 2020 season.”
Dantzler was playing at a Pro-Bowl level the last eight games of 2020, and if he can continue that trend, he will be an elite corner in the NFL in the foreseeable future.
Another corner that I am intrigued by is Harrison Hand. In limited action, Hand showed that he belonged. Hand intercepted Drew Brees last season, and also showed a many number of high level plays at the end of the year. If Hand can continue to improve, he will be very quality depth in the Vikings secondary.
An A+ draft is hard to come by, but PFF adored what the Vikings did in 2020. Hopefully 2021 can yield similar results for Minnesota.