Over the years, the Vikings haven’t been known as a draft-and-develop type team like the division rival Green Bay Packers, although they aren’t exactly a large-market, splashy team that gets most of its players from Free Agency or blockbuster trades, like the Los Angeles Rams. The Vikings fall somewhere in the middle of the two, with core pieces like Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, Garrett Bradbury, Eric Kendricks, Danielle Hunter, and Harrison Smith all being homegrown players originally drafted to the Purple and Gold. Other key pieces to the team such as Kirk Cousins, Patrick Peterson, Dalvin Tomlinson, Jordan Hicks and Za’darius Smith have been acquired via Free Agency signings. Finally, accounting for the fewest starters, players acquired via trade, where the list ends at T.J. Hockenson, who was acquired at this year’s trade deadline.
Rewinding to the 2015-16 season might be a bit difficult for most Vikings fans, when memories of a 10-9 wildcard loss off a Blair Walsh missed chip-shot game winner start to come rushing back. To give context to the landscape of the league at the time, Teddy Bridgewater was the Vikings starting Quarterback, Christine Michael of the Seahawks out rushed Adrian Peterson by a margin of 25 yards, and Russell Wilson was still good at the time. However, the April prior to the loss, the Vikings had a near-perfect draft that would set up the core pieces of the team for years to come. Coming into the 2015 draft, the Vikings had just completed a 7-9 season, finishing third in the division, and ending up with the 11th overall pick in the draft, and the opportunity to add a franchise cornerstone. What ended up happening was the cornerstones for the team being picked in the middle rounds, and an average at best player being selected with the premium first-rounder.
Round 1 (Pick 11): Trae Waynes
Memories of Waynes may include average production after spending premium capital on the player. Through 7 years in the league, he totaled 226 tackles, and 7 interceptions, and never truly became the lockdown corner one would hope to be getting with such a high pick. Waynes was also the first corner taken in the class, just before players who’ve enjoyed more success in their careers such as Marcus Peters and Byron Jones. Waynes wasn’t a total bust, but at such a high draft position, fans would’ve hoped to be taking a true franchise player. Safe to say the Vikings would’ve been more satisfied with either of the latter two players.
Grade: C
Round 2 (Pick 45): Eric Kendricks
Boom! This was a great pick by the Vikings front office, and Kendricks has become a spectacular linebacker for the Vikings in the long run. Kendricks has performed year in and year out for the Vikings, to the tune of 889 career tackles and 9 interceptions (two more than CORNERBACK Trae Waynes) as well as being a leader on the defensive side of the ball. Kendricks may have been the best player selected in the 2nd round, only rivaled by Preston Smith, Mitch Morse, Ali Marpet and Randy Gregory.
Grade: A
Round 3 (Pick 88): Danielle Hunter
It’s surprising to think that Hunter came out of the same class as Kendricks, considering the two and a half year age gap between the duo. However, he has become one of the best pass rushers in the league, and among the best in Vikings franchise history. Like Kendricks, he has also become a key leader on the defense, and totaled 364 tackles, 67.5 sacks and 84 TFL’s in his career. Injuries have hit Hunter a bit in the last couple of years, playing in just 20 combined games after only missing 2 games through his first 4 years. In 2018 and 2019, Hunter had back to back stellar seasons, with 14.5 sacks each year, putting him near the top of the league in terms of pass rush production. He would have been the best-value pick in the draft if not for their 5th round selection.
Grade: A
Round 4 (Pick 110): T.J. Clemmings
Clemmings has been a great disappointment, but did not have the highest of expectations being selected in the 4th round. He only played 3 years in the league and never made much of an impact for the Vikings.
Grade: D
Round 5 (Pick 143): MyCole Pruitt
Pruitt was simply a depth pick, and served as the Vikings TE2 his rookie year and half of his sophomore season before joining the Bears. From there he had a 1 year stop with the Texans, and his longest stint with a team being the Titans from 2018-2021. He is currently a backup on the depleted Falcons roster. As a Vikings, he only played in 18 games, and never eclipsed 100 receiving yards or caught a touchdown.
Grade: D+
Round 5 (Pick 146): Stefon Diggs
The best value pick in the draft, and maybe the best value pick in Vikings history. Going just 3 picks after MyCole Pruitt, Diggs has made a significant impact on the Vikings franchise, and will continue to do so for years to come. 5th round rookies don’t usually get the same chance as higher touted prospects, however Diggs talent was undeniable coming out of Maryland. In his rookie year, Diggs caught 52 balls for 720 yards and 4 touchdowns. His next four years in Minnesota he would just up this pace, playing in 70 games over 5 years with the Vikings, tallying 365 receptions 4,623 yards, and 30 touchdowns. Not to mention a moment maybe a few Vikings fans may recall in the 2018 playoffs against the Saints, where Diggs caught a last second touchdown that became known as the Minneapolis Miracle to advance the Vikings on a playoff run they would end with an NFC Championship defeat. What may be more impactful in the long run is the trade Diggs was apart of just ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. Diggs was shipped to the Buffalo Bills along with a 2020 seventh round pick for the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, along with 2020 fifth and sixth round picks, and a 2021 fourth-rounder. Aside from the late round “throw-ins,” the trade was essentially Stefon Diggs for Justin Jefferson, and LSU receiver whom the Vikings selected with the 22nd pick. As you may know, Jefferson is the Vikings clear alpha receiver, and among the top receivers if not the best league-wide. Not to mention he’s only in his 3rd year, on a rookie-scale contract. Safe to say the Vikings won that trade, considering the 6 year age gap between the two, and contracts associated with each. However the Bills haven’t done too shabby either, and no one would say they flat-out lost this trade. They brought an elite receiver to town, and one who has been among the best in the league. In just 46 games over the last 2 and a half years, Diggs has racked up 324 receptions, 3,999 yards, and 28 touchdowns in Buffalo. These numbers are awfully similar to Diggs numbers through his first 5 years in Minnesota, in just about half the time. Diggs career benefitted from the trade, and what’s to say Buffalo even selects Jefferson and gets the same production from him if they keep the pick. Overall, the trade worked out for both sides, and I wouldn’t say either team’s quarterback is too unhappy with the swap either.
Grade: A++
Round 6 (Pick 185): Tyrus Thompson
Thompson was a tackle out of Oklahoma who never made the Vikings 53-man roster. A nonfactor of a selection.
Grade: F
Round 6 (Pick 193): B.J. Dubose
Dubose was an edge rusher out of Louisville who never panned out in the NFL and never would make the Vikings 53-man roster.
Grade: F
Round 7 (Pick 228): Austin Shepherd
Shepherd was an offensive lineman out of Alabama, and would see action in 14 games for the Vikings over the span of his rookie season, but would not return to the team the following year.
Grade: D
Round 7 (Pick 232): Edmond Robinson
Robinson was a linebacker out of Newberry college, who played in 22 games over 2 years for the Vikings, accounting for 12 of his 17 career tackles. Robinson would go on to play 3 more years in the NFL, serving as a backup with teams such as the Jets, Falcons, and Seahawks.
Grade: D+
Synopsis
And that’s all. The Vikings class consisted of 3 elite franchise players, none of them being selected with the top-12 pick. The impact of Stefon Diggs selection, and departure, will be felt through the league for years to come, as Justin Jefferson continues to develop. Jefferson is already a top-10 receiving yards leader in Vikings franchise history, just a little over 2 and a half years into his career. The last 4 picks did not consist of any long-term starters for the Vikings, but finding those in such late rounds is unusual for the NFL anyway. The most notable selections between pick 185 and the end of the draft included Quandre Diggs (Pick 200), Darren Waller (Pick 204), and Trent Brown (Pick 244).
A note to weekly readers: Week 12’s prospect spotlight, Kayshon Boutte has decided to return for his senior season at LSU, and will not be a part of this year’s draft class, but will be a great deep dive to return to come 2024 draft time! 
