Minnesota moved down six spots in the third round of the 2004…
Minnesota moved down six spots in the third round of the 2004 draft, sending Baltimore pick No. 82 and receiving Nos. 88 and 155. The Ravens chose receiver Devard Darling, while the Vikings selected defensive lineman Darrion Scott and linebacker Rod Davis. Scott became a regular rotational defender, giving Minnesota the better overall return.
Baltimore Ravens Received
- pick 2004 3rd round pick (82nd overall, Devard Darling )
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2004 3rd round pick (88th overall, Darrion Scott )
- pick 2004 5th round pick (155th overall, Rod Davis )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Minnesota and Baltimore made a straightforward six-slot draft trade on April 24, 2004. The Ravens climbed from No. 88 to No. 82 to select wide receiver Devard Darling. The Vikings added pick No. 155 in exchange for moving down and used their two selections on defensive lineman Darrion Scott and linebacker Rod Davis. The transaction became a test of one targeted player against two chances.
Minnesota Vikings Return
Scott supplied the substance of Minnesota’s return. He played 48 games for the Vikings, started 28, and contributed as a versatile defensive lineman who could handle interior and edge work. Rod Davis did not develop into a comparable piece, but the extra fifth-round selection still gave Minnesota a second opportunity without sacrificing the player value available six spots later.
Baltimore Ravens Return
Darling remained a depth receiver rather than becoming a major part of Baltimore’s offense. He finished his NFL career with 37 receptions for 578 yards and four touchdowns. Those numbers represent legitimate professional production, but they fall short of what teams hope to secure when spending an extra pick to move up in the third round.
Value in Hindsight
The strongest feature of Minnesota’s side is that the Vikings moved only six places and still landed the most useful player in the transaction. Scott’s 28 starts and several seasons in the defensive rotation outweighed Darling’s intermittent receiving role. Davis added little, yet Minnesota did not need the second selection to become a hit for the trade-down to work.
Final Verdict
Minnesota deserves the win. The Vikings’ B reflects a successful trade-down that produced a multi-year defensive contributor plus an additional selection. Baltimore’s C- reflects the cost of moving up for a receiver who never became a consistent offensive piece. The gap is meaningful without being a franchise-changing result.