Austin Cutting – LS
Grade: C
The Vikings had so many picks in 2019 that they used one to take a long snapper. Cutting played every game as a rookie and appeared to be the long-time fix at the position.
However, after Week 9 of the 2020 season, he was cut and replaced with Andrew DePaola. Cutting hasn’t played in the league since, but the team did get 25 games out of the 250th pick, and that is much better than most who are drafted that late.
Overall Grade for the 2019 rookie class
Grade: D
The Vikings 2019 class won’t go down as one of their better ones. They took a center at pick No. 18, and after three years, it is safe to say they whiffed on that choice. Bradbury isn’t strong enough to hold up against bull rushers and the Vikings will be in the market for a new center either in the draft or free agency this season.
Their second pick, tight end Irv Smith Jr., is an exciting player who has been on the precipice of a breakout but just can’t stay healthy. He hasn’t lived up to his potential yet, but he still holds a lot of upside, and he could breakout under a new offense that gets the most out of his high-end athletic ability.
Some other misses in this class were fourth-round guard Dru Samia, fifth-round linebacker Cameron Smith, and a sixth-round safety who the team apparently gave up on too soon in Marcus Epps.
The Vikings also had a few guys in this class who have outplayed their draft slot but just haven’t done it very well. Oli Udoh is a prime example of that. He started every game in 2021, and that is impressive for a sixth-round pick, but he did it poorly. Kris Boyd can also be lumped in there, though he still has a little upside to him.
Rick Spielman did hit on a few choices in this class. He landed a very solid number two runningback in Alexander Mattison in the third round. Spielman also scored a gem in round six with Armon Watts and a solid depth wide receiver in Bisi Johnson.
If Smith finally stays healthy and has that breakout season, this grade could go up in time. Watts’s future with the team could also be a big factor, and if Johnson can make the roster once again, that’ll help.
For now, this class has a bust at the top and just a few part-time players still on the squad, and that just isn’t good enough.