NFL Draft 2011: Looking Back at Minnesota Vikings Drafts from 2001-2010

As we approach the 2011 NFL Draft and anticipate the Vikings draft choices, it’s worth looking back over the last 10 drafts from 2001-2010.

Here is a list of grades with justifications.

Each draft class was given a grade based on a point/value system very much like the grading scale:

Two extra points were awarded for each player in rounds one through three who met or exceeded expectations and/or who exceeded expectations in rounds four through seven. This is needed to balance the draft numbers.

Five points are awarded for potential Hall of Fame players.

Four points (A) is for an A player or All-Pro caliber player.

Three points (B) for a player who made/makes a significant contribution and is a solid starter.

Two points (C) for a player who lived on the roster anywhere between three to five years.

One point (D) for one to two year player.

Zero = not enough information to tell whether or not (usually an injury or illness, or loss via practice squad) the player would have panned out.

Minus-one (F) for a player cut or released within a year. Also based on round. For instance, if a fourth rounder gets cut he gets a minus-one, but I might give a sixth or seventh rounder a zero, maybe even a one, based on expectations versus results.

2001/Grade: F

 The only highlight from this draft is Bennett and the fact that the Vikings didn’t fold franchise and move to LA. But it sure explains the subsequent years

1. MICHAEL BENNETT (27), RB, Wisconsin: The No. 27 overall pick played five years with the Vikings until an injury sidelined him and played for 3 different teams after the Vikings: 4

2. WILLIE HOWARD (57), DT, Stanford: Played two years for the Vikings, the second year, no games: 1

3. ERIC KELLY (69), CB, Kentucky. Played three years for the Vikings: 2

4. (B) SHAWN WORTHEN (130), DT, TCU: No. 130 overall, played one season for the Vikings:  -1

4. (C) CEDRIC JAMES (131), WR, TCU. Played six years, two with Minnesota, two with Dallas and two with NE: 1

5. PATRICK CHUKWURAH (157), LB, Wyoming. Played seven total years, two with the Vikings: 1

6. CAREY SCOTT (189), CB, Kentucky State. One year with the Vikings, two with Oakland, ‘nuff said:  0

7. BRIAN CRAWFORD (225), T, Western Oregon. Who cares at this point? -1

Total points for draft class: 7 divided by 8 picks = 0.875

2002/Grade: C-minus

McKinnie is an All-Pro, and they at least got some productive years from Smith, Offord and Williams.

1. BRYANT McKINNIE (Seven), T, Miami (Fla.). Still anchoring the left side, albeit a little lesser these days: 4

2. RAONALL SMITH (38), LB, Washington State, role player who played four years with Minnesota. Expect more from a second rounder. 2

3. WILLIE OFFORD (70), DB, South Carolina. Four years with the Vikings, the last one injury plagued. 2

4. (A) BRIAN WILLIAMS (105), DB, North Carolina State. Eight total years, four with Minnesota. 3

4. (B) ED TA’AMU (132), G, Utah, practice squad for one year: -1

6. NICK ROGERS (177), LB, Georgia Tech. Four seasons, two with Minnesota: 1

7.CHAD BEASLEY (218), DT, Virginia Tech, who??? Exactly. 0

Total points: 10 divided by seven picks = 1.43

2003/Grade B minus

 The reason is based on Williams and Henderson, but imagine if we had been able to hang on to Burleson and Smith stayed out of trouble. This could have easily been a grade of A.  

1. KEVIN WILLIAMS (nine), DT, Oklahoma State. Current All-Pro still going strong: 5 +2

2. E.J. HENDERSON (40), LB, Maryland. Started slow, but seems to have grown into a solid player playing at an All-Pro level despite rash of injuries: 4 +2

3. NATE BURLESON (71), WR, Nevada-Reno. FA killed us on this one, but was very productive in the 3 years we had him, currently a Detroit Lion after four years with Seattle: 3

4. ONTERRIO SMITH (105), RB, Oregon. Had the makings of a special runner, but three NFL drug violations will quickly end one’s career. It’s hard to believe he only played two years for the Vikings; for some reason, it felt longer.  1

6. (A) EDDIE JOHNSON (180), P, Idaho State. He’s playing where now? Exactly. -1

6. (B) MICHAEL NATTIEL (190), LB, Florida. Choice from New Orleans for Todd Bouman. Nattiel played two years for Minnesota, and we gave up Todd Bauman for this clown? 0

7. .KEENAN HOWRY (221), WR, Oregon. Was nothing more than a KR and PR who lasted three years. 2

Total points: 18 points divided by 7 players = 2.57

2004/Grade C minus

It’s pretty bad when your seventh round pick is the prize of this class. Yes, Udeze’s cancer significantly impacts this class, as he was on the verge, but the others were nothing but a bunch of over-hyped, under-achievers.

1. KENECHI UDEZE (20), DE, USC. Choice from Miami in exchange of draft picks. His unfortunate battle with cancer crippled his career, and just when he was turning into the player they thought he was going to be. 3

2. DONTARRIOUS THOMAS (48), LB, Auburn. Was another wasted Auburn hyped player. Although he lasted five years with the Vikings, they were pretty insignificant because he did not become the impact player they thought. -1

3. DARRION SCOTT (88), DE, Ohio State. Choice from Baltimore in exchange of draft picks. Four years as a Viking, but mostly a role player. 2

4. (A) NAT DORSEY (115), T, Georgia Tech. One year with the Vikings, three with Cleveland. -1

4. (B) MEWELDE MOORE (119), RB, Tulane. A real steal for the Vikings who made an impact and contributed on offense.  2 + 2

5. ROD DAVIS (155), LB, Southern Mississippi. Mostly special teams player who played three years with Minnesota.  1

6. DEANDRE’ EILAND (184), DB, South Carolina. A wasted pick. 0

7. JEFF DUGAN (220), TE, Maryland. Still contributing and a solid player. 2 + 2

Total points: 12 divided by eight picks = 1.5

2005/Grade F

When you have failures in Williamson and James, the bottom of the barrel looks dark and slippery.

1. (A) TROY WILLIAMSON (seven), WR, South Carolina. Choice from Oakland in Randy Moss trade. We all know how that worked out. It took us three years to realize the guy just wasn’t blind; he couldn’t catch either. 1

1. (B) ERASMUS JAMES (18), DE, Wisconsin. This is one of those where are they now guys. Minnesota tried to make this guy a player, but he just didn’t have what it took. A huge waste for the Vikings, especially when you consider they could have drafted Marcus Spears or even Justin Tuck, or just gone in a different direction completely   -1

2. MARCUS JOHNSON (49), G, Mississippi. Gave us four years until ending his career with Tampa one year later. 2

3. DUSTIN FOX (80), S, Ohio State. Was an injury release. 0

4. .CIATRICK FASON (112), RB, Florida. See Onterrio Smith above. Yet another troubled young man who needed to prioritize his life better. He lasted two seasons.  0

5. NO CHOICE. Traded to Washington in exchange of draft picks.

6. C.J. MOSLEY (191), DT, Missouri. Played five years, mostly with Jets, one with Minnesota. . 0

7. ADRIAN WARD (219), CB, Texas-El Paso. Choice from Oakland in Randy Moss trade, another wasted pick. I am beginning to think no one got the better of the deals when it came to Moss.  0

7. NO CHOICE. Traded to NY Jets in Sam Cowart trade. 1 for Cowart

Total points: 3 points divided by seven picks = 0.42

2006/Grade: B minus

Greenway, Griffin and Cook have all paid dividends, especially Greenway, and Edwards has been solid for the most part. Jackson is the unfortunate casualty here. And to think we could have drafted Bruce Gradkowski, who actually didn’t go until the sixth round. To Jackson’s defense, it was not a strong QB class from the second round down, so we should have just avoided it completely. Good riddance, Childress.

1. CHAD GREENWAY (17), LB, Iowa. Playing like an All-Pro. 4

2. (A) CEDRIC GRIFFIN (48), CB, Texas. Very solid, but injuries affecting career impact. 3

2. (B) RYAN COOK (51), C, New Mexico. Despite some Vikings fans who despise Cook, he has been a solid back up at least, but he should be a starter by virtual of second round selection. 2

2. (C) TARVARIS JACKSON (64), QB, Alabama State. Choice from Pittsburgh in exchange of draft picks. 1

3. (A) NO CHOICE. Traded to Pittsburgh in exchange of draft picks.

3. (B) NO CHOICE. Traded to Pittsburgh in exchange of draft picks.

4. (A) Traded to Philadelphia for pick 4b and Artis Hicks.

4. (B) RAY EDWARDS (127), DE, Purdue. Choice from Philadelphia in exchange of draft picks. Still has the potential, but you would have to agree he is a steal for the fourth round, on par with Justin Tuck. 2 + 2

5. GREG BLUE (143), S, Georgia. Injury plagued. 0

6. NO CHOICE. Traded to Philadelphia for Artis Hicks. 2 for Hicks and his production

7. NO CHOICE. Traded to San Diego for Toniu Fonoti. 1

Total points: 18 divided by seven picks = 2.57

2007/Grade B Minus: Basically the jury is still out. There are some real pluses here, mainly 1, 2 and 4.

1. ADRIAN PETERSON (7), RB, Oklahoma. 5 + 2

2. SIDNEY RICE (44), WR, South Carolina. If he remains a Viking, this number will likely rise. 2.5

3. MARCUS McCAULEY (72), CB, Fresno State. 0

4. BRIAN ROBISON (102), DE, Texas. Choice from Tampa Bay in exchange of draft picks. 2 + 2

5. AUNDRAE ALLISON (146), WR, East Carolina. 1

6. RUFUS ALEXANDER (176), LB, Oklahoma. 0

7. (A) TYLER THIGPEN (217), QB, Coastal Carolina. This is one of those “could have been” players. 0

7. (B) CHANDLER WILLIAMS (233), WR, Florida International. Choice from Denver in exchange of picks. 0

Total Points: 14 divided by eight picks = 1.75. I still give this class a B- due to rounds 1, 2, 4.

2008/Grade B minus

Mostly due to the back end with Guion and Sullivan and Johnson

1. NO CHOICE. Traded to Kansas City for DE Jared Allen. 4 for Allen

2. TYRELL JOHNSON (43), S, Arkansas State. 2

3. (A) NO CHOICE. Traded to Kansas City for DE Jared Allen.

3. (B) NO CHOICE. Traded to Kansas City for DE Jared Allen.

4. NO CHOICE. Traded to Philadelphia in exchange of draft picks.

5. (A) JOHN DAVID BOOTY (137), QB, Southern California. 0

5. (B) LETROY GUION (152), DT, Florida State. Choice from Philadelphia in exchange of draft picks. 1 + 2

6. (A) JOHN SULLIVAN (187), C, Notre Dame. Choice from Kansas City in exchange of draft picks. 1 + 2

6. (B) JAYMAR JOHNSON (193), WR, Jackson State. Choice from Jacksonville in Troy Williamson trade. 2

7. NO CHOICE. Traded to Green Bay in exchange of draft picks.

Total points: 14 divided by six picks = 2.33

2009/Grade B minus

Could potentially be a solid B or A Minus class. Check back in two years.

1. PERCY HARVIN (22), WR, Florida. 4

2. PHIL LOADHOLT (54), OT, Oklahoma. 3

3. ASHER ALLEN (86), CB, Georgia. 2

4. NO CHOICE

5. JASPER BRINKLEY (150), LB, South Carolina. 2

6. NO CHOICE

7. JAMARCA SANFORD (231), FS, Mississippi. 1 + 2

Total points: 14 divided by five picks = 2.8

2010/Grade C:

Just not enough information to rate higher at this point, but the potential is there.

1. NO CHOICE.

2. CHRIC COOK (34), CB, Virginia. If he comes back 100 percent, his number will go up immediately.

2. TOBY GERHART (51), RB, Stanford. I am okay with this pick, love the kid, but we had more pressing needs.

3. NO CHOICE. I should award minus points because we gave up this pick to move up for Gearhart. Do people not see the value in round three? That is because they think more in the here and now.

4. EVERSON GRIFFEN (100), DE, Southern Cal. Will he or won’t he?

5. CHRIS DEGEARE (161), OT, Wake Forrest. This could be a plus/plus for us

5. NATE TRIPLETT (167), LB, Minnesota. Released and signed by Colts.

6. JOE WEBB (199), QB, UAB. Could be a plus/plus for us based on what happens this year and next.

7. MICKEY SHULER (214), TE, Penn State. Another casualty of the practice squad

7. RYAN D'IMPERIO (237), LB, Rutgers. Again, could be another plus/plus

Given Minnesota’s dreadful 2010 campaign, the team can quickly rebound and simply view last season as a mere hiccup, or their problems go a lot deeper than what is seen on the surface. The main issue is QB, whether via free agency (if and when it rises from the dead) or draft, the Vikings options are still Webb and Bomar, two unproven guys. My draft priorities for the Vikings are: QB, OL, FS/SS, CB, DE.

How will the 2011 draft class grade out we will not know for several years, but based on the last few years with Spielman and Studwell running the draft, things have improved dramatically, so I am confident this will be a strong class.