We’re gonna try a new Gambit format, starting today. Every Tuesday/Thursday, Alex is gonna throw out a topic, and we’re all gonna sound off. Topics will cover a very wide range, you can be assured of that. So without further ado, here’s some armchair punditry about the 2011 Minnesota Vikings draft:
wadE:
Time has tempered my initial thoughts on the Vikings draft. I’ve seen draft grades range from B to D on their picks, and I can see arguments for any grade in that range.
Why it’s a D: picking Ponder at twelve overall is just ridiculously early. The only defense for the pick is if the Vikings could not trade back before their time was up (maybe the Bears screwed them too?). I think Ponder is a solid pick, just not at 12.
Why it’s a B: although the first pick of any draft will overshadow the rest, picking up the best TE in the draft in round 2 (also a stretch, but not that bad) should pay off for years to come. It’s a position that is only going to decline with the current batch. Additionally the rest of the picks consisted of players who were expected to go much earlier than they were picked, which makes up for a stretch in round 1.
Overall, grading a draft right away is a bit of a farce. It would be best to grade a draft in November. See how many of those picks are still with a team, and how many are contributing during that first season. Then perhaps grade them 5 years later and see how it shaped the team.
For example, looking back at the 2006 draft for the Vikings: Chad Greenway, Cedric Griffin, Ryan Cook, T-Jack, Ray Edwards, Greg Blue, Tyrone Culver. That draft is obviously a C. Keeping it from being an F is Greenway and Edwards who have contibuted a lot in the last 5 years; Griffin has also contibuted when he isn’t tearing a knee. Keeping it from being a B is T-Jack. A pick that was considered a massive stretch at the time and has put the franchise behind the 8-ball at QB for 5 years. Let’s hope that Ponder isn’t the new T-Jack.
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