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NFL Draft 2015 grades: Minnesota Vikings select Trae Waynes

By Matt Verderame

Nov 22, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Trae Waynes (15) stands on the field between plays during the1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Trae Waynes (15) stands on the field between plays during the1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 11th-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Michigan State Spartans cornerbac Trae Waynes. Waynes was the top-rated corner on Mike Mayock’s board. Waynes was also the first defensive abck taken in the draft.

Grade: A-

Wayne is a tad undersized at 6’0 and 188 pounds, but he can play in Mike Zimmer’s man-coverage system. Zimmer likes corners who can press and be aggressive with larger receivers at the line of scrimmage, something Waynes excels at. Waynes is physical and does not mind coming into the box against a running back, providing another dimension.

Minnesota was solid in pass defense last year, ranking seventh in the NFL. With Waynes and safety Harrison Smith, the Vikings will be one of the tougher teams to throw on, provided the pass rush is there. General manager Rick Spielman has made a concerted effort to get playmakers in the first round, a trend he continued in 2015.

The Vikings still have ample needs going into the next two days. Minnesota has holes at tight end and in the defensive front seven. The run defense was terrible in 2014, something that help the Vikings back form being a playoff team. Still, after going 7-9 in Zimmer’s inaugural campaign, there is plenty of optimism in Minnesota.

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