"Analyzing the Impact: Grading the Minnesota Vikings' First Three Draft Picks"

Grade: B+

Round 1, Pick 11: QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan

            Being able to land JJ McCarthy without having to trade up to the 4th or 5th overall pick, which was the “favorite” scenario to most every national media outlet. Do I think that the Vikings could’ve stood pat and still gotten McCarthy at 11? It is quite possible, but giving up a 4th and 5th round pick to move up one slot was a NECESSITY to ensure that you get “your guy”. The upside of JJ McCarthy is scary. Not to mention the supporting cast that McCarthy will have to work with is in fact the best of all quarterback needy teams in this draft. Vikings fans should be uber excited to see what Kevin O’Connell can turn McCarthy into.

Round 1, Pick 17: EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama

            Trading up to secure Dallas Turner, who was the league-wide favorite as the best defensive player in this draft was a scenario that almost nobody saw happening. I personally preferred Jared Verse, but Turner might have the highest upside of any defensive player in this draft. Personally, I think that the Vikings should have traded back from pick 23 to pick up additional day 2 and 3 draft picks. However, if Brian Flores can utilize Turner correctly in his first season and the defensive staff can develop him the right way, the Vikings could’ve gotten the steal of the draft at pick 17.

Round 4, Pick 108: CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon

            Sticking and picking at pick 108 in the fourth round to select cornerback Khyree Jackson is where I start to disagree with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The 6’3 194-pound corner is already at age 24 coming into his rookie season. The consensus on Khyree Jackson was that he would not make it out of the 3rd round minimum. The age of Khyree Jackson was undoubtedly the reason why the Vikings were able to stop his fall at the 108th pick in the fourth round. Cornerback was a high need for the Vikings defense, but the interior on the defensive line is still a much higher need. Khyree Jackson’s teammate from Oregon Brandon Dorlus, a defensive tackle went the following pick after. Another pick I would have preferred over Jackson, is the wide receiver from UCF Javon Baker who went at pick 110 to the New England Patriots. With that being said, I believe that this is a Brian Flores guy, and that intrigues me. If Brian Flores identified Khyree Jackson as a corner that he loved, who am I to argue with him.

Overall, there may be some things that I would have done differently with the Vikings first few picks, but I do think the upside of these first three picks are HUGE. The best thing that could've happened for the Vikings however, was securing JJ McCarthy without having to give up a significant amount of draft capital to do so. The Vikings have a great chance to come out of this years draft with their franchise quarterback, and edge rusher. If that happens, the rest of the draft is just a bonus.