2021 NFL Draft grades: Biggest winners and losers
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are among the bigger winners in this year’s NFL Draft, and did a masterful job of balancing choosing players to contribute immediately as well as projects for the future.
Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw is a phenomenal athlete and plugs a massive need along Minnesota’s front. Darrisaw allowed just one sack last season and has the ability to pull quickly, which makes him an ideal fit to pave the way for All-Pro running back Dalvin Cook.
Meanwhile, Ohio State offensive guard Wyatt Davis has the potential to push for the starting job alongside Darrisaw and was a road-grader during his time in Columbus.
The Vikings also created optionality at quarterback by adding a dual-threat in Kellen Mond who has plenty of arm-strength to push the aerial attack vertically to Justin Jefferson and the rest of Minnesota’s weapons.
Grade: A-
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs’ commitment to plugging the few holes on the roster with high-impact players this offseason is great news for Patrick Mahomes, and a nightmare for the rest of the AFC.
Clearly, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach set out to ensure Mahomes never faced the onslaught of pressure he faced in the Super Bowl, when he was sacked sacked three times and constantly on the run.
Veach added center Creed Humphrey in Round 2, who is arguably the premier center in this year’s class, after allowing just three pressures and no sacks last season at Oklahoma. Creed is an ideal scheme fit, thanks to his 6-foot-4 and 312 pound frame that’s paired with plenty of athleticism and quickness to stonewall opposing defensive linemen.
Kansas City also added linebacker Nick Bolton in Round 1, further improving a disruptive front-seven. Joshua Kaindoh is an explosive, downhill pass-rusher with the versatility to put his hand in the dirt or pin his ears back as a stand-up rusher, with plenty of speed. The Chiefs just keep getting better up front on defense.
It’s rare that a roster as talented as the Chiefs is able to add two immediate contributors, but that’s what Veach and Kansas City managed to do in this class.