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2021 NFL Draft grades for every team: Browns and Bears crush it, Cowboys flop

By Cody Williams

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: Mya Tomoto stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after announcing Greg Newsome II as the 26th pick by the Cleveland Browns during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: Mya Tomoto stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after announcing Greg Newsome II as the 26th pick by the Cleveland Browns during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Draft grades
Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings, 2021 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Vikings 2021 NFL Draft Grade: B+

  • Round 1, Pick 23: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
  • Round 3, Pick 66: Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
  • Round 3, Pick 78: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
  • Round 3, Pick 86: Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State
  • Round 3, Pick 90: Patrick Jones II, EDGE, Pittsburgh
  • Round 4, Pick 119: Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State
  • Round 4, Pick 125: Camryn Bynum, CB, California
  • Round 4, Pick 134: Janarius Robinson, EDGE, Florida State
  • Round 5, Pick 157: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa
  • Round 5, Pick 168: Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri
  • Round 6, Pick 199: Jaylen Twyman, IDL, Pittsburgh

The Vikings offered one of the most difficult classes for me to evaluate. It seemed like for every one or two picks that they made that I liked quite a bit, Minnesota would make one that didn’t hit the mark for me. So while guys like Christian Darrisaw, Chazz Surratt and Wyatt Davis made a ton of sense early, the Kellen Mond, Patrick Jones II and Kene Nwangwu picks were mistakes.

At the end of the day, though, the Vikings ended up with a strong collection of talent that will help them both now and moving forward. On top of that, they did take some nice swings on fliers in the later rounds. This should be viewed favorably, but it could’ve been more so without some glaring misfires.

New England Patriots 2021 NFL Draft Grade: A

  • Round 1, Pick 15: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
  • Round 2, Pick 38: Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama
  • Round 3, Pick 96: Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma
  • Round 4, Pick 120: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma
  • Round 5, Pick 177: Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan
  • Round 6, Pick 188: Joshuah Bledsoe, S, Missouri
  • Round 6, Pick 197: Will Sherman, OT, Colorado
  • Round 7, Pick 242: Tre Nixon, WR, UCF

After an aggressive offseason in regards to free agency, the Patriots were expected to trade up for a quarterback — they didn’t. Instead, they stayed put and got Mac Jones, a player who would’ve been a reach at No. 3 for the 49ers but is perfectly placed at No. 15 for New England — and perfectly placed in this offense.

Beyond being super into the Jones pick, the defensive value throughout the draft was great. Christian Barmore has first-round upside, Ronnie Perkins can be an impact player and the likes of Cameron McGrone and Joshuah Bledsoe could be starters by year two. This would’ve been an A+ if the Pats had taken more offensive talent I’m a fan of but this is a definite win, still, for New England.

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