Minnesota Vikings 2017 NFL draft recap with grades and analysis

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings owners Mark Wilf and Zygi Wilf along with general manager Rick Spielman against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Texans 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings owners Mark Wilf and Zygi Wilf along with general manager Rick Spielman against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Texans 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook warms up before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook warms up before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
"With the 41st overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select Dalvin Cook, running back, Florida State."

A consensus first-round pick on many boards, former Florida State running back Dalvin Cook continued to slip down the draft board during the early parts of day two. The Packers were thought to covet Cook at no. 33, but they chose an alternate route in draft Washington cornerback Kevin King.

With Cook rapidly sliding, Spielman living up to his name of “Trader Rick” traded the teams second-round (no. 48 overall) and fourth-round pick (no. 128 overall) to the Cincinnati Bengals in order to secure Cook.

What are the Vikings getting in Dalvin Cook? They are getting a runner with eventual star potential He has three-down ability as he’s able to be a consistent ball carrier, as well as catch out the backfield. Routinely showing his versatility in his time in Tallahassee, Cook is a perfect fit in Pat Shurmur’s offense.

Cook has some off the field concerns as far as the friends that he hangs with. The best thing for him though is that he was drafted by a team that is far away from his roots in the state of Florida. He needed to get as far away as possible to limit those distractions.

Grade: A+

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