2021 NFL Draft: Vikings get great value in trade, Christian Darrisaw

The Vikings traded down in the 2021 NFL draft and wound up getting a really solid player in O-lineman Christian Darrisaw.

Picking an offensive lineman isn’t always sexy, but it’s something you need to do if you want to win in the NFL and the Vikings got a really good one in Christian Darrisaw Thursday in the 2021 NFL draft.

The Vikings also get extra points for perfectly working the draft board. Minnesota was sitting at 14th overall when the night started but moved down to the 23rd overall pick.

Minnesota added some second and third-round picks in the deal with the Jets, while also adding a really solid player in Darrisaw, who is a bit short but has left-tackle ability.

If you look at Darrisaw’s ESPN.com draft profile, he’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 3/4 inches which is basically 6-foot-5. The thing that stands out though is that he’s got 34.5-inch arms.

NFL teams are obsessed with the arm length of offensive lineman for a reason, because it matters, especially if you want someone who can play tackle at a high level.

Darrisaw can do that and he was one of the most underrated players in the draft in my opinion. It wouldn’t have been shocking to see him go in the top 16 picks. In fact, it would have been hard to criticize Minnesota if it took him at 14th.

I would have said that was a good pick had the Vikings stayed put and took Darrisaw. But the fact that they traded down, filled a huge need, and added more ammunition for down the road, means they get an A for the night.

We’ll see what Minnesota does with its other picks, but with some solid skill guys, especially if they can get the best out of Kirk Cousins, the Vikings can still be a playoff team.

And if you want better play from your quarterback and running back, adding to the offensive line is one of the easiest ways to make that happen.