2017 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings final draft grade
How did the Minnesota Vikings fare in the 2017 NFL Draft? We analyze each pick and come up with a grade you’ll love or hate.
The NFL draft has come and gone and now it is time for review. Of course, it will be easier to look back in a few years and really find out how these players fit and transitioned to their new roles. But as a whole, you can understand team philosophies and processes which deserve to be examined upon first glance. With that said, here is the Minnesota Vikings final grade.
Dalvin Cook
Running Back, Florida State
The Vikings lost their first round pick in the Sam Bradford trade, and still wound up with the player that many would have mocked to the team in the first round. Granted, they did have to trade up in order to secure the selection of Cook. Still, the got quite possibly the top running back in the class and they got him 37 picks after the first running back fell off of the board.
What is so intriguing about Cook is how versatile he is. He is a bit smaller as a back, and his frame and speed suggest that he is an outside runner. However, his speed really just comes from foot quickness, and he uses that quickness to finesse his way into small holes between the tackles.
Do not get it mistaken, though, he is not just a finesse back. Another impressive feature of his lower body is his powerful legs. He uses those to maintain balance and strength between the tackles and can bounce off of potential tackles with his strong lower body.
The Vikings lost Adrian Peterson and were heading into the season with Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon. Cook is likely the most talented immediate addition to the backfield and it should not surprise when he walks away from this season as the team leader in carries.