Minnesota Vikings: Grade for 2011 NFL Draft picks

vikingshel042611_opt Quarterback Christian Ponder was a reach for the Minnesota Vikings. Ponder was not thought to be selected until mid-to-late second round. The Florida quarterback has an injury history and does not possess a strong arm. Quarterback was a need position for the Vikings, but Minnesota should have traded down later in the draft and stockpiled picks and gotten him later in the draft. The Vikings addressed their needs at defensive tackle and defensive line with five other picks later in the draft, but they had weaknesses and holes to fill on the defense, that should have been addressed in the early rounds. They took Ponder ahead of defensive tackle Nick Fairley and defensive end Robert Quinn who went to the Lions and the Rams. Down the road, this draft will be graded by how Ponder develops. Right now, it was the wrong selection at the wrong time.