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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Tyler Forness

Grading the Vikings selection of Mekhi Blackmon

With the 102nd overall and final pick on day two of the 2023 NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected USC CB Mekhi Blackmon. They moved back 15 spots and still got the player that they wanted, as no cornerbacks went between 87 and 102.

In taking Blackmon, they prioritized the 21st-ranked cornerback on Arif Hasan’s consensus board, which felt weird. He has talent and you can see why the Vikings took him.

In looking at the pick, the value for me is the toughest part to quantify. He’s a talented player and you can see that on film, but you are also drafting a 24-year-old project. That’s a little bit confusing, especially since better players were also a scheme fit at that spot.

I believe you have to trust this staff, especially defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who likely had a big say in this pick. I’ll trust the staff, but it’s disappointing when you consider the value.

Grade: B-

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