Minnesota Vikings select Christian Darrisaw in 2021 NFL Draft: Grading the pick
Mike Zimmer’s defense failed him in 2020. But the talented Minnesota Vikings were looking to fill a hole or two on the other side of the football.
The first round of the 2021 NFL Draft proved to be more about offense than defense. Even though the final five selections on Thursday night was on that side of the ball, the offensive selections outweighed the defensive picks by an 18-14 count.
Looking at last season’s performance by the Minnesota Vikings, defense is the area that general Rick Spielman, head coach Mike Zimmer and the franchise may want to address the most. The club did add veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson and unsung defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency. The Purple Gang looks to rebound from a 7-9 record and a third-place finish in the NFC North.
But another issue is the offensive line of the Purple Gang and the club not only managed to trade down via the New York Jets but picked up a quality tackle prospect in Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw. Will he make an immediate impact and make life easier for both quarterback Kirk Cousins but running back Dalvin Cook as well?
Grading the Minnesota Vikings pick of Christian Darrisaw at No. 23 in the 2021 NFL Draft
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. A. player. 60. T. Virginia Tech. Christian Darrisaw
It’s hard not to like what the team has done but Darrisaw does come with a concern or two (via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein):
"Athletically gifted left tackle prospect with the natural talent to be as good as he wants to be. Darrisaw plays with plus body control. He has the initial quickness and smooth agility to get to any and all blocks in the run game. The tape shows a player who’s able to make jaw-dropping cutoffs on the backside but who gives half-hearted effort securing down blocks and squeezing down to help protect the B-gap…The low-burn field demeanor leads to inconsistencies in play, but the athletic traits and talent as a true left tackle should create first-round demand as a higher-ceiling, lower-floor prospect."
Next. 2021 NFL Draft: Day 2 mock draft prediction. dark
Indeed it did. And the fact that Spielman was able to trade down and still pick up one of the quality players at his position speaks for his ability to work the draft. Keep in mind that a year ago, he and the Vikings made a little NFL history by selecting 15 players in a seven-round draft. Minnesota doesn’t have a pick in the second round but there are four choices in the third round and all told, 10 pick remaining in the final six rounds.