Minnesota Vikings 2016 NFL Draft class applauded by experts

Experts seem to enjoy what the Minnesota Vikings did during the 2016 NFL Draft, with every major outlet giving the team average to excellent grades.

Giving out draft grades before the players participate in a single NFL game is crazy, but it is still fun to take a look at the talent each team acquired and see how they fit with the schemes and how the pick compared to the available players at the time of selection.

Thankfully, the Minnesota Vikings are once again on the positive side of these grades from the experts, however some seem to love what the team did much more than others. Grades range from A to C, but the reasoning for each grade is what was interesting from each major publication.

Here are some of the biggest publications and how they felt the Minnesota Vikings did during the 7 rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft:

SB Nation’s Dan Kadar – Draft Grade: A-

"“Laquon Treadwell is a big and physical receiver who can be a top target for Teddy Bridgewater. Getting the draft’s best wide out even though he was the third one picked was a coup. They got another steal in the second round with Alexander. He can be a Jason Verrett-like corner for the Vikings. Brothers is a thumper of a middle linebacker who can make a ton of tackles, assuming he gets on the field. Boehringer is interesting because of his size and athleticism. Frankly, I know about him as much as you do. Stephen Weatherly was a sneaky good seventh-round pick. He’s a size and athleticism prospect for Mike Zimmer to mold.”"

CBS Sports’ Rob Rang – Draft Grade: A-

"“Treadwell will prove a star at split end in Norv Turner’s offense. Mackensie Alexander needs some polish, but who better to do it than Mike Zimmer? Alexander will prove a steal at No. 54 overall. Fourth-round pick Willie Beavers played left tackle at Western Michigan but projects best inside and, while athletic and possessing legitimate size for this role at 6-foot-5 and 321 pounds, is understandably a bit of a project. Gambling on athletic upside was a theme for Minnesota throughout Day 3.”"

USA TODAY’s Lindsay H. Jones – Draft Grade: A

"“It’s hard to find fault with any of the early draft picks. Mississippi WR Laquon Treadwell fills a need on offense and should be a nice complement to Stefon Diggs, while Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander could contribute immediately in nickel packages. The most surprising pick came Saturday afternoon in German WR Moritz Boehringer, who is the first European player drafted into the NFL without playing in the NCAA.”"

FOX Sports’ Peter Schrager – Draft Grade: C

"“Treadwell could work well alongside Stefon Diggs, but I’m not sure he was worthy of the 23rd overall pick when there may have been some value had the team looked to trade back a few slots. I’m also not as high on Mackensie Alexander, the second-round cornerback who didn’t record a single interception during his college career. Moritz Boehringer, the German project, was a cute story. But is he helping you get over the hump next year? Then again, if any coach can get the most of his players, it’s Mike Zimmer.”"

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter – Draft Grade: A

"“General manager Rick Spielman got the most physical receiver in the draft in Treadwell. There’s no reason he won’t be a to-go guy for Teddy Bridgewater. Alexander is an excellent defender, even without the turnover production. Then Spielman picked up two 2017 mid-round selections from Miami. That’s building draft capital. Spielman found quality players in Beavers, Brothers, Weatherly, and Morgan. Kearse was worth a shot in the seventh round. Boehringer’s upside is highly intriguing.”"

ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper Jr. – Draft Grade: B-

More from The Viking Age

"“Laquon Treadwell was my No. 17 overall player and the Vikes got him at No. 23, so I’m a fan of the value. I also think he’s more of the big, strong-handed, possession receiver Teddy Bridgewater needs. What’ll be interesting is seeing what the three other wide receivers drafted before him end up doing. You can make a case for almost any of them as the best for one reason or another. I’m less of a Mackensie Alexander fan than other analysts because of poor ball skills (zero career interceptions), but he’s a good fit here at a need position, where Terence Newman is 38. I think Willie Beavers in Round 4 works for value and my guess is he goes to guard from tackle. Kentrell Brothers is a total steal for me.”"

Sports Illustrated’s Doug Farrar – Draft Grade: B

"“The addition of Laquon Treadwell in the first round gives Teddy Bridgewater the kind of big, aggressive receiver he hasn’t yet had with his NFL team. … And second-round cornerback Mackensie Alexander is a great value with the ability to play outside and in the slot. Of course, the big story of the Vikings’ class is the [sixth]-round selection of Moritz Boehringer, who previously played with the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League.”"

Next: The Minnesota Vikings 2016 NFL Draft class

Congratulations to the Minnesota Vikings on putting together a solid draft class that should help the team grow and develop into a serious contender in the NFL. It’s hard not to get excited about the Vikings early picks as well as hope to see the potential in some of the later round picks develop. Hopefully, the team can build on this draft and the equity they acquired for the future and continue to push toward the Super Bowl.

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