Rival NFL insiders had good things to say about the Minnesota Trojans

Rivals in any theater of competition would love to see their foremost adversaries struggle. The New York Yankees want the Boston Red Sox to lose. The Washington Commanders want the Dallas Cowboys to suffer. The Los Angeles Lakers want the Boston Celtics to crumble. Yet, part of elite competition involves mutual respect: If a team or organization does things the right way, rivals (while perhaps inwardly displeased at the development) will be the first to acknowledge they are impressed with what they see.

So it is with the Minnesota Vikings’ 2023 NFL draft class.

Here’s Vikings Wire with more:

“When the Minnesota Vikings came out of the 2023 NFL draft with six talented players, the grades for the class were split. Some were high while most thought the class was average or lower.

“The Athletic’s Mike Sando, who is arguably the most plugged-in reporter in regard to the NFL, spoke to multiple executives about each team’s draft class. and rival executives had some nice things to say about the Vikings’ class.”

Let’s dig a little deeper here:

ADDISON AND BLACKMON OFFER VALUE

Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; USC wide receiver Jordan Addison on stage after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings twenty third overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s what one rival NFL executive, interviewed by Sando, said about the Vikings’ draft picks:

“Give them credit for getting good players while being limited in their resources. They made a couple savvy trade-backs, got a fifth next year (from Kansas City). They were able to create value. We liked Addison, we liked Blackmon, we liked Jaren Hall.”

ADAM THIELEN’S REPLACEMENT

Oct 15, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches a pass against the Utah Utes in the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA…