4 Vikings rookies who will make the biggest impact in 2021
By Dean Jones
Christian Darrisaw – OT
- First Round – No. 23 overall
Things could not have gone much better for the Vikings in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Not only did they trade back to acquire more in the way of draft capital, but they also had one of the best tackle prospects fall into their laps at pick No. 23.
Christian Darrisaw was a commanding force on the blindside during his time at Virginia Tech and there is a good chance he can carry on this momentum in the professional ranks.
He has all the length, athleticism, and size normally associated with a productive left tackle at the next level and although there might be some initial growing pains, this is a potential 10-year starter with a ton of upside.
The Vikings didn’t draft Darrisaw in the first round so that he could sit on the sidelines. He’ll be thrown in the deep end in Week 1 and if he can hit the ground running opposite Brian O’Neill, it will give Minnesota a bookend presence at the tackle position they’ve been sorely lacking for some time.
Providing Darrisaw lives up to his potential, the Vikings may get the steal of the first round and someone that could solidify the position after deciding to let Riley Reiff go this offseason as part of some significant cost-cutting measures.