Positive reviews emerge for Vikings’ Jordan Addison, Mekhi Blackmon
Rivals in any theater of competition would love to see their foremost adversaries struggle. The New York Yankees want the Boston Red Sox to lose. The Washington Commanders want the Dallas Cowboys to suffer. The Los Angeles Lakers want the Boston Celtics to crumble. Yet, part of elite competition involves mutual respect: If a team or organization does things the right way, rivals (while perhaps inwardly displeased at the development) will be the first to acknowledge they are impressed with what they see.
So it is with the Minnesota Vikings’ 2023 NFL draft class.
Here’s Vikings Wire with more:
“When the Minnesota Vikings came out of the 2023 NFL draft with six talented players, the grades for the class were split. Some were high while most thought the class was average or lower.
“The Athletic’s Mike Sando, who is arguably the most plugged-in reporter in regard to the NFL, spoke to multiple executives about each team’s draft class. and rival executives had some nice things to say about the Vikings’ class.”
Let’s dig a little deeper here:
ADDISON AND BLACKMON OFFER VALUE
Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; USC wide receiver Jordan Addison on stage after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings twenty third overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s what one rival NFL executive, interviewed by Sando, said about the Vikings’ draft picks:
“Give them credit for getting good players while being limited in their resources. They made a couple savvy trade-backs, got a fifth next year (from Kansas City). They were able to create value. We liked Addison, we liked Blackmon, we liked Jaren Hall.”
ADAM THIELEN'S REPLACEMENT
Oct 15, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches a pass against the Utah Utes in the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
A separate NFL executive noted how important it was that the Vikings found a replacement for Adam Thielen with the Addison pick.
GREATER DEPTH AT CORNERBACK
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans defensive back Mekhi Blackmon (6) makes an interception during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Rival NFL executives noted that the Vikings were thin at corner and addressed that need with the Mekhi Blackmon selection.
SCHEMATIC FIT
Sep 10, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Solomon Byrd (51) and defensive back Mekhi Blackmon (6) celebrate during the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Rival executives conceded that the Vikings, by picking Mekhi Blackmon, found a corner who will fit in coordinator Brian Flores’s defensive scheme. This is a widespread point of agreement in the NFL community.
VALUE OUTSIDE THE TOP 100
Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter during a wild card game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Vikings Wire added this big-picture note about the 2023 draft class, especially the Blackmon pick at No. 102:
“The Vikings having a good draft according to other executives is a great thing, especially when they talk about multiple players being good picks. It’s especially great when you consider only Jordan Addison was taken in the top 100.”
