Minnesota moved up eight spots in the fourth round of the…
Minnesota moved up eight spots in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, sending Washington picks No. 120 and No. 154 for No. 112. The Vikings selected running back Ciatrick Fason; Washington chose Manuel White and Robert McCune. Fason scored five rushing touchdowns, but none of the three developed into a substantial long-term starter.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2005 4th round pick (112th overall, Ciatrick Fason )
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 2005 4th round pick (120th overall, Manuel White )
- pick 2005 5th round pick (154th overall, Robert McCune )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Minnesota traded up during the fourth round on April 24, 2005. The Vikings sent Washington picks No. 120 and No. 154 for pick No. 112 and selected Florida running back Ciatrick Fason. Washington used the later choices on fullback Manuel White and linebacker Robert McCune. The trade therefore exchanged two mid-round opportunities for one targeted offensive player.
Minnesota Vikings Return
Fason produced the most visible NFL statistics in the transaction. Over two seasons with Minnesota, he appeared in 18 games, rushed for 161 yards, and scored five rushing touchdowns. He was useful in short-yardage situations, but he never became a featured back or a long-term part of the offense. That modest production made the price of an additional fifth-round selection difficult to fully justify.
Washington Commanders Return
Washington gained quantity but did not turn it into a major payoff. White’s career was derailed before he could become a meaningful regular, and McCune remained a reserve-level player. The extra selection created another opportunity, which is the strongest argument for Washington’s side, but the actual on-field production was limited.
Value in Hindsight
This is much closer than the original grade spread suggests. Minnesota can point to the only player in the deal who scored repeatedly in regular-season games, while Washington can point to the sensible decision to move down and acquire two chances. Because neither White nor McCune became a significant contributor, the value of Washington’s additional pick remained mostly theoretical.
Final Verdict
Washington’s B to Minnesota’s B- can be retained as a very narrow process-based edge, but the hindsight gap is small. Minnesota received brief usable production from Fason; Washington received two prospects without a breakout result. This should be read as a marginal Washington win, not a decisive one, with both sides landing in the middle range.