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: