Rookies have played a big role the NFL this year, especially in the NFC, where Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott have the Cowboys back in the playoffs.
But that hasn’t been the case in Minnesota and it doesn’t appear that NFL Draft experts have many good things to say about the Vikings’ rookies this year.
According to ESPN, the Vikings rookie class gets a D.
“The Vikings’ rookie class hasn’t yielded many immediate contributions, and first-round pick Laquon Treadwell has only one catch in 12 games.”
That’s a big change for a team that has seen Adrian Peterson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Matt Kalil, Teddy Bridgewater, Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter all played important roles as rookies.
Here is the Vikings draft class – in case you’ve forgotten:
- 1st round (23rd overall) – Laquon Treadwell, WR
- 2nd round (54th overall) – Mackensie Alexander, CB
- 4th round (121st overall) – Willie Beavers, G
- 5th round (160th overall) – Kentrell Brothers, ILB
- 6th round (180th overall) – Moritz Boehringer, WR
- 6th round (188th overall) – David Morgan, TE
- 7th round (227th overall) – Stephen Weatherly, OLB
- 7th round (244th overall) – Jayron Kearse, S
ESPN’s Ben Goessling says the Vikings always figured their rookie class would take some time to develop, but to date none of them has made a significant contribution this season.
Treadwell really stands out. Many thought he would help upgrade the Vikings passing attack that ranked 31st last season. He’s caught just one pass in 12 games this year, and has played just 76 offensive snaps.
Still, Treadwell is just one of just two offensive rookies to play more than 10 snaps for Minnesota – the other is Morgan.
It hasn’t been much better on the other side of the ball.
Alexander has seen limited reps, but been highly-penalized when he has been on the field. Kearse filled in a bit when Andrew Sendejo was hurt, but he didn’t do much and Brothers hasn’t played a defensive snap yet.
It looks like the Vikings will have to wait and see before they know what they have in their 2016 draft class.
