Minnesota Vikings: Grading every 2018 NFL Draft pick

Grade: A-

I’ll start with this as a reason for the “A-” grade the Ade Aruna selection receives: he’ll end up better than Holmes in about 2-3 years. Holmes may be a better player at this moment, but the potential Aruna possesses is through the roof.

The former Tulane star didn’t get started in the sport until his senior year of high school after coming to the United States from Nigeria to play basketball. When he finally stepped onto the gridiron, his potential was all too apparent. Possessing uncanny athleticism (4.6 40-yard time, 38.5-inch vertical) and the look of a dangerous pass rusher, Aruna is essentially a ball of clay at defensive end.

Despite his inexperience, Aruna caught on quickly at Tulane, ramping up over his first couple of seasons on campus before exploding in 2016. Although he took a step back in 2017, the film shows an athletic, flexible edge rusher who passes the eye test on every level.

Aruna obviously needs extensive work, and doesn’t figure to see many snaps as a rookie. However, once Zimmer gets his hands on him, I could see the former Green Wave star developing into an intriguing rotational end early in his career.

When all is said and done, he’ll be worth far more than the sixth-round pick the Vikings spent on him. The only reason the “minus” is there is because they double-dipped at defensive end.