EAGAN, Minn. – The picks are in, which means the draft grades are, too.
It's not realistic to accurately assess any team's rookie class the week after an NFL Draft; after all, as Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said, "You don't measure the success of the draft until three years down the road."
That doesn't stop experts and analysts around the league, however, from giving their initial reactions and grades to how each organization fared during the 2020 NFL Draft.
And according to the pundits that be, the Vikings put together a very successful three days.
Here's what those experts had to say:
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Grade: A
GM Rick Spielman knew picking multiple cornerbacks … was a must, as was finding a receiver to replace Stefon Diggs and creating more competition on the offensive line. He hit all the notes in Rounds 1-3.
[D.J.] Wonnum was underappreciated at South Carolina, with Javon Kinlaw stealing the spotlight – but the edge defender is athletic, tough and worthy of an early fourth-round pick. Getting [James] Lynch in the fourth round was a steal – his character off the field and motor on it will help him stay in the league for a very long time. [Troy] Dye is a rare guy who led his college team in tackles for four years – his selection addresses a position of need, as well. [Harrison] Hand, [Blake] Brandel, [Kenny] Willekes, [Kyle] Hinton and [K.J.] Osborn will provide depth at minimum, but have the potential to have more of an impact. Getting [Nate] Stanley in the seventh round could pay major dividends down the line. [Josh] Metellus and [Brian] Cole are safeties who can play in the box, maybe even at linebacker instead of safety.
Click here for Reuter's full grades.
View images of all of the Minnesota Vikings 2020 NFL Draft picks.
CB Jeff Gladney
Boise State offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland (76) on the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Hawaii, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
CORRECTS DATELINE TO TALLAHASSEE, FLA., INSTEAD OF ORLANDO, FLA. - Boise State running back Robert Mahone (34) is lifted in congratulations by offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland (76) for scoring the winning touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Boise State offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland, left, battles against Hawaii defensive lineman Kaimana Padello, right, in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Mississippi State defensive back Cameron Dantzler (3) defends on a pass play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi State defensive back Cameron Dantzler runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler (3) returns an interception against Louisiana-Lafayette during the first half of an NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Cook)
Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler (3) defends Louisiana-Lafayette wide receiver Ja'Marcus Bradley (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. Mississippi State won, 38-28. (AP Photo/Chuck Cook)
Mississippi State assistant coach Terrell Buckley talks to cornerback Cameron Dantzler (3) in the second half of their NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Lafayette in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. Mississippi State won, 38-28. (AP Photo/Chuck Cook)
FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, file photo, Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) attempts to elude South Carolina defensive lineman D.J. Wonnum (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Columbia, S.C. The Southeastern Conference is filled with young quarterbacks this season, with many teams putting their offenses in the hands of freshmen or sophomores. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford, File)
South Carolina defensive lineman D.J. Wonnum (8) pursues Florida quarterback Malik Zaire (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Florida 28-20. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
South Carolina defensive lineman D.J. Wonnum (8) and Taylor Stallworth (90) react after a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Clemson defeated South Carolina 34-10. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) runs for yardage as South Carolina defensive lineman D.J. Wonnum (8) chases in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Florida quarterback Austin Appleby (12) is stopped for a 1-yard loss by South Carolina defensive lineman Kelsey Griffin, left, and defensive lineman D.J. Wonnum, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
TCU running back Kyle Hicks (21) looks for room against Baylor safety Davion Hall (12) and Baylor defensive tackle James Lynch (93) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 45-22. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Baylor defensive tackle James Lynch (93) sacks West Virginia quarterback Will Grier (7) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
Rice quarterback Wiley Green (5) pitches out to wide receiver Cameron Montgomery (8) as Baylor defensive tackles Bravvion Roy, left, and defensive tackle James Lynch close in during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) dives and sacks Utah quarterback Troy Williams (3) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey)
Colorado running back Phillip Lindsay (23), blows past Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35), in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Thomas Boyd)
Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35), celebrates an interception that set up a last minute second quarter touchdown against Arizona State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Thomas Boyd)
Temple cornerback Harrison Hand (23) stops Maryland place kicker Mike Shinsky (41) on the fake field goal during the first half of an NCAA college football, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Philadelphia. Temple won 20-17. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Memphis wide receiver Damonte Coxie (10) gets tackled by Temple cornerback Harrison Hand (23) to end the second half of an NCAA college football, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Philadelphia. Temple won 30-28. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Miami wide receiver K.J. Osborn runs against Florida after a reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Miami wide receiver K.J. Osborn (2) sets up for a play at the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Miami wide receiver K.J. Osborn, center, fumbles the ball as he is hit by Florida linebacker Jonathan Greenard, left, and defensive back Shawn Davis during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Miami wide receiver K.J. Osborn runs against Florida after a reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oregon State Beavers offensive lineman Blake Brandel (73) warms up before the first half of an NCAA college football game against the on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Oregon State offensive lineman Blake Brandel, left, blocks Washington State defensive lineman Kingston Fernandez (52) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Oregon State Beavers offensive lineman Blake Brandel (73) warms up before the first half of an NCAA college football game against the on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Michigan defensive back Josh Metellus (14) celebrates a play in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) runs out of the pocket against Michigan defensive back Josh Metellus (14) during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Michigan defensive back Josh Metellus (14) tackles Florida running back Lamical Perine (22) during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Michigan defensive back Josh Metellus, left, runs Ohio State receiver Parris Campbell out-of-bounds during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Middle Tennessee quarterback Chase Cunningham (16) throws a pass, defended by Michigan defensive back Josh Metellus (14), in the third quarter of an NCAA football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. Michigan won 40-21. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2018, file photo, Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes rushes the line during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in East Lansing, Mich. Ohio State visits Michigan State needing a win to stay on track for a Big Ten East showdown with Michigan in two weeks. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins is sacked by Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes (48) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes (48) recovers a fumble for a turnover by Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) carries the ball in front of Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes (48) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Michigan State's Kenny Willekes reacts against Ohio State during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Penn State linebacker Ellis Brooks, center, pressures as Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley pulls back to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley gets set during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley warms up before an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley, left, talks with the offense in a huddle during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley (4) passes against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II (32) warms up before an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at Mississippi St. in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Mississippi State Bulldogs Cameron Dantzler (3) celebrates his interception with teammates Brian Cole II (32) and Chauncey Rivers (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Lafayetter in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Cook)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II (32) reacts during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at Mississippi St. in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Mississippi State quarterback Garrett Shrader (6) passes while safety Brian Cole (32) defends during the team's spring NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, April 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mel Kiper, Jr., ESPN
Grade: A –
Minnesota came into Thursday night with 12 picks and ended Saturday night with 15 picks, plus an extra fourth-rounder and two extra fifth-round picks in the 2021 draft. With that much capital, it takes a lot not to get at least an A- grade from me. And really, I like the value the Vikings got throughout, starting with extracting a first-round pick for wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who was disgruntled in Minnesota. General Manager Rick Spielman was able to get the No. 22 pick from the Bills, and he was able to directly address the hole at wideout, taking Justin Jefferson, who is a perfect fit. He's going to catch a ton of passes from Kirk Cousins out of the slot.
The Vikings also got a starting cornerback in Jeff Gladney (31), even if he was a little lower on my board. Teams reached for cornerbacks in Round 1, but I can live with this one; we know how much Mike Zimmer likes to mold defensive backs, and Gladney had an early Day 2 grade from me. Offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland (58) has a chance to start immediately. He was Boise State's left tackle this season, and he's an athlete. Cornerback Cameron Dantzler (89) ran slow at the combine, but Minnesota got good value in the third round. And again, let Zimmer get a chance to work with him.
Defensive tackle James Lynch (130) is a high-motor guy with some upside, while end D.J. Wonnum (117) should rotate in as a rookie. Safety Josh Metellus (205) and defensive end Kenny Willekes (225) are good values late in Day 3. It's going to be tough for all 15 of these picks to make the Vikings [roster], but I like the selections in the first two days and the depth on Day 3.
Click here for Kiper's full grades.
PFF Staff, Pro Football Focus
Grade: A
Day 2: "Tackle wasn't necessarily the biggest weakness on this team, but [selecting Ezra Cleveland] does give them some flexibility at the position and allow the line as a whole to creep back to, or even above, average going forward. Cleveland is a pick for the future but could potentially make an impact right away. … "[Cam Dantzler's] slight frame will be a concern and was what caused him to slip as far as he did, but at some point, you need to trust the tape. Dantzler's tape is as strong as any corner in this class outside of Jeffrey Okudah — to snag him as low as they did represents a relatively low risk with a potentially huge payoff." – Sam Monson
Click here to view PFF's breakdown of all three days and evaluation of each team's draft.
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
Grade: A
Trading Stefon Diggs to Buffalo and losing most of their cornerbacks in free agency made the Vikings draft needs very clear, and they addressed both very well in the first round. Justin Jefferson was LSU's top slot receiver last season, but he can be more than that in a pro passing game. He doesn't quite have the pure explosion Diggs provided, but he caught 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. And TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney is an ideal man and match cornerback with his outstanding footwork, spatial awareness and trail speed. To serve as Gladney's potential future bookend, Minnesota also grabbed Mississippi State's Cameron Dantzler, a favorite of most analysts, including this one. The guy to watch from the third day is fourth-round linebacker Troy Dye from Oregon. [Vikings Head Coach] Mike Zimmer values linebackers who can cover half the field, and Dye has that skill set all day. The Vikings held steady at receiver, and they upgraded a cornerback rotation that [struggled] in 2019.
Click here for Farrar's full grades.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Grade: A
Best Pick: Second-round offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland was a player I thought the Vikings would take in the first round. To get him in the second round is big-time value. He will be a long-time starter.
[…]
The Skinny: The Vikings had 15 picks in this draft and did a nice job of using most of them. Rick Spielman knows how to use the draft to get what he needs. First-round receiver Justin Jefferson fills an immediate need and Gladney could be a star if he stays focused. Keep an eye on fourth-round linebacker Troy Dye, who can fly.
Click here for Prisco's full grades.
Andy Benoit, Monday Morning Quarterback
Grade: A –
This was a workmanlike job by the Vikings, filling their roster's myriad of holes one by one. … At first glance, Jefferson may not seem like an ideal style of replacement [for Diggs]. At LSU, 109 of his 111 catches came from the slot. The Vikings, however, often play with just two wide receivers on the field (which usually means no slot position to fill) and likely see Justin Jefferson as an outside weapon. The [6-foot-1], 202-pounder played with polish and a sound sense of tempo in LSU's offense and should transition effectively to a new role in a Vikings scheme that will make heavy use of in-breaking routes off play-action.
[…]
Mike Zimmer historically prefers to develop cornerbacks from the bench in Year One, but with so few quality corners on the roster, don't be surprised if Gladney starts in 2020 — perhaps in a nickel slot role, which plays to his skill set. Zimmer's corners are always sound tacklers. That, and blitzing, were two things Gladney did well at TCU. It's possible Dantzler could see significant playing time in 2020, as well. Ideally, though, he'll follow the traditional Zimmer route and develop from the bench early on, as his game needs some polish. Best-case scenario in 2020 is he plays outside in nickel situations, where he is physical and competitive.
Click here for Benoit's full grades.
Eric Edholm, YAHOO! Sports
Grade: B +
This class was like Rod Carew batting practice: one sharp line drive after another. In time there might be a discussion about the wisdom of the largest draft class in recent memory (15 picks!), especially given that they already own 10 picks in 2021 and could receive more in compensatory selections. … They landed talent and value throughout and left nary a stone unturned. [This is] a cast of middle- and upper-middle-class performers who give this roster some nice reinforcements at several positions — especially those that were considered needs.
Click here for Edholm's full grades.
Thor Nystrom, Rotoworld
Grade: A +
This is how it's done, folks. Rick Spielman badly needed a strong draft with his team in transition, and he enjoyed a banner three-day process. Things were going so well for the Vikings that Mike Zimmer's hunting lodge became a secondary star of the telecast. By my chart, the Vikes walked away from this draft with three first-round values, a second-rounder, two thirds, three fifths and a seventh. That they all happened to be awesome scheme fits at positions of need? Quarantine looked good on Minny.
Mark Maske, The Washington Post
Grade: B +
The Vikings clearly believe in quantity, stockpiling third-day picks and ending up with an immense draft class of 15 players. That's a bit unwieldy for roster management, and perhaps they should have traded up a few times. Even so, it's easy to like what they did early, using their first-round picks on WR Justin Jefferson and CB Jeff Gladney, then getting T Ezra Cleveland in the second round rather than trading for [Redskins tackle Trent] Williams.
Click here for Maske's full grades.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Grade: A +
Congratulations to Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer. Not only did the Vikings maneuver to gain insane volume ([15] picks), they also knew they exactly what to do with them. They got their wideout to replace Stefon Diggs and corners to replace Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander. In true Zimmer fashion, they also reinforced their defensive front seven nicely and had room to get a potential left tackle of the near future. That's incredible.
Click here for Iyer's full grades.
