Draft Grade: Minnesota Vikings
Notable Picks
9th Overall: OLB Anthony Barr (UCLA)
With Clowney and Mack already gone by this pick, the Vikings went with the best remaining pass rusher still on the board. Barr is raw, having just played two years on defense after converting from the halfback position. While his run defense and coverage abilities could use some work, his acceleration and explosive hitting should make him an effective pass rushing contributor immediately.
32nd Overall: QB Teddy Bridgewater (Louisville)
The Vikings traded back up into the 1st to snatch Bridgewater out from under the quarterback-needy Texans. This could be the biggest steal of the entire draft: despite a poor offseason, Bridgewater displayed excellent poise and accuracy all throughout his college career. Don’t be surprised if Bridgewater wins the starting job over Matt Cassel and contends for Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2014.
72nd Overall: DE Scott Crichton (Oregon State)
Minnesota could use some cornerbacks much more than more pass rushers, but Crichton was an early second round talent who fell to the third round, so his value was likely too high to pass on. Crichton is a high-motor guy, always playing to the whistle, and he uses his hands well to rip through blocks. You can never have enough pass rushers.
182nd Overall: CB/FS Antone Exum (Virginia Tech)
The Vikings were terrible against the pass in 2013, so it makes sense they added Panthers standout nickel CB Captain Munnerlyn in free agency. Exum is another solid addition; he can play corner and safety, which is good for the Vikes because they need help everywhere in the secondary.
Final Grade: B+
Barr and Crichton will add a lot of talent to the edges of Minnesota’s d-line, and Bridgewater has shown all the signs of being the next Matt Ryan (never spectacular, but always above average). But the Vikings failed to address their biggest need, their secondary, in a major way, so it’s hard to expect their dismal pass defense rankings to improve much in 2014.
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