Redrafting the Minnesota Vikings 2021 rookie class
By Nik Edlund
Third-Round Pick No. 1
Original Pick: Kellen Mond – QB (Texas A&M)
Redraft Pick: Davis Mills – QB (Stanford)
The Vikings took quarterback Kellen Mond with the first pick of the third round. This was an exciting pick for Minnesota and their fans as they finally had a young quarterback with upside who could learn behind Kirk Cousins.
Well, Mond didn’t look great in the preseason and must not have in practice either because the team went out and signed Sean Mannion to be the backup. Even when the season was lost, head coach Mike Zimmer started the crusty old veteran over the rookie with upside.
There was another quarterback on the board who the Vikings should’ve probably gone with in Davis Mills out of Stanford, who ended up starting 11 games for the Texans last season.
The kid had some highs and lows, but he threw for 2,664 yards with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. That earned him a quarterback rating of 88.8 which is pretty impressive, especially when factoring in the lack of weapons that the Texans’ offense had.
Maybe once Mond gets a legitimate shot he will prove worthy of being taken ahead of Mills, but after year one the Vikings have to be kicking themselves for passing on the former Stanford signal-caller.
Third-Round Pick No. 2
Original Pick: Chazz Surratt – LB (UNC)
Redraft Pick: Divine Deablo – S (Virginia Tech)
The Vikings took Chazz Surratt a few picks after Kellen Mond. When taking a player in the third round, especially a linebacker, one would think you’d get some instant return on that investment. Minnesota got hardly anything out of Surratt.
The ultra-athletic Surratt was supposed to be this jack of all trades who could be a versatile weapon for Mike Zimmer to use. Instead, he struggled to pick up the defense and was relegated to some spot special teams work.
Safety Divine Deablo would’ve proven to be a much better choice. Deablo was productive right out of the gate for the Las Vegas Raiders. He appeared in all 17 games and started five of those. He accumulated 45 tackles, recovered a fumble, and had a tackle for a loss.
He would’ve given the Vikings some solid depth at a position that was lacking it, and he’d be in line to start in 2022. Instead, the Vikings have a linebacker whose future and role with the team moving forward is very murky.