The Vikings’ first of a potential 13 picks on Saturday was South Carolina defensive end D.J. Wonnum.
Wonnum’s numbers don’t jump off the page. In four years at South Carolina, he had 14 sacks.
The pick certainly fills a need for the Vikings, who are likely to lose Everson Griffen to free agency — although Griffen has yet to sign with a team.
Even so, this pick is a bit of a reach for the Vikings. Wonnum looks more like a developmental player, similar to what Danielle Hunter was in 2015 when the Vikings took him in the third round. It will be up to Andre Patterson to coach him up.
It is worth noting that Wonnum and Hunter are similar when it comes to stature. Wonnum is 6’5, 258 pounds, while Hunter is listed at 6’5 252 pounds.
If any team on Saturday can go for a homerun pick, though, it’s Rick Spielman and the Vikings.
Grade: B-
