The Minnesota Vikings reached a little bit in the first round and then they made a lot of value picks the rest of the way.  The first pick that the Vikings made was QB Christian Ponder out of Florida State.  No one doubts that he has the skills to be a starter in the NFL down the road but a lot of draft “experts” had him going in the second round.  In the 2nd round came TE Kyle Rudolph who was rated as the top TE in this draft.  His game is making tough catches over the middle of the field, so he will help Ponder develop as a QB.  The Vikings got deals on falling offensive linemen as they picked OT DeMarcus Love and C/G Brandon Fusco in the 6th round.  With hard work, they could each develop into starting linemen in the NFL.  DT Christian Ballard (4th round) and CB Brandon Burton (5th round) were supposed to be long gone by when the Vikings drafted them.  The could be impact players down the road for the Vikings’ D. 

PROJECTED GRADE:  C+