Time to grade the Vikings' first draft under the leadership of general manager Rick Spielman:He gets an A, and a B.He gets an A for doing about as well as could be expected given what he had to work with. He was wise to trade down one spot, pick up three extra picks from the Browns, and still get the guy he wanted in Matt Kalil.He did well to trade up to get a much-needed safety in the first round. He bolstered the secondary and added players who make sense for Bill Musgrave's offense, including two (?) intriguing Arkansas receivers.He gets a B in terms of adding transformative players. When you have the third pick in the draft, you'd like to be able to get someone who produces touchdowns, turnovers or sacks.Kalil was the right pick given the circumstances, but he's hard to get excited about.This was a draft that made sense for the Vikings, a draft that could set them up to contend for a playoff spot in a couple of years.Spielman did well, and his work has just begun.Blog

Time to grade the Vikings' first draft under the leadership of general manager Rick Spielman:

He gets an A, and a B.

He gets an A for doing about as well as could be expected given what he had to work with. He was wise to trade down one spot, pick up three extra picks from the Browns, and still get the guy he wanted in Matt Kalil.

He did well to trade up to get a much-needed safety in the first round. He bolstered the secondary and added players who make sense for Bill Musgrave's offense, including two (?) intriguing Arkansas receivers.

He gets a B in terms of adding transformative players. When you have the third pick in the draft, you'd like to be able to get someone who produces touchdowns, turnovers or sacks.

Kalil was the right pick given the circumstances, but he's hard to get excited about.

This was a draft that made sense for the Vikings, a draft that could set them up to contend for a playoff spot in a couple of years.

Spielman did well, and his work has just begun.

I'll write more about the draft for the Sunday Star Tribune. Also on Sunday, I'll be hosting The Ron Gardenhire Show from 9:30-10 and Sunday Sports Talk from 10-noon with Tom Pelissero. We'll be in the mobile press box outside Target Field. If you come by to visit, please bring fire.

I'm covering the Twins-Royals game for the Monday Star Tribune. Please follow me on Twitter at @Souhanstrib.

ickI write more about the draft for the Sunday Star Tribune. Also on Sunday, I'll be hosting The Ron Gardenhire Show from 9:30-10 and Sunday Sports Talk from 10-noon with Tom Pelissero. We'll be in the mobile press box outside Target Field. If you come by to visit, please bring a bonfire.I'm covering the Twins-Royals game for the Monday Star Tribune. Please follow me on Twitter at @Souhanstrib.