Minnesota moved from No. 14 to No. 23 in 2021 and received…
Minnesota moved from No. 14 to No. 23 in 2021 and received two third-round picks, selecting Christian Darrisaw, Kellen Mond and Wyatt Davis. Darrisaw became a high-level starting left tackle and earned an extension through 2029; Mond and Davis failed to stick. New York used No. 14 on Alijah Vera-Tucker, a versatile starting lineman whose career has been repeatedly interrupted by major injuries. Darrisaw plus the additional opportunities keep Minnesota ahead.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2021 1st round pick (23rd overall, Christian Darrisaw ), 2021 3rd round pick (66th overall, Kellen Mond) and 2021 3rd round pick (86th overall, Wyatt Davis )
New York Jets Received
- pick 2021 1st round pick (14th overall, Alijah Vera-Tucker)
- pick 2021 4th round pick (143rd overall subsequently traded, Tyree Gillespie )
Trade Analysis
Minnesota traded down from No. 14 in the 2021 first round, sending the pick plus No. 143 to the Jets for Nos. 23, 66 and 86. New York selected USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker at 14. Minnesota selected Virginia Tech tackle Christian Darrisaw at 23, quarterback Kellen Mond at 66 and guard Wyatt Davis at 86. The fourth-round selection the Jets received was later moved again.
Darrisaw became the centerpiece Minnesota needed. After missing time early in his rookie season, he developed into one of the league's better left tackles. By the summer of 2024 he had started 39 of 41 career games, and Minnesota signed him to a four-year extension that keeps him under contract through 2029. His combination of pass protection and run-game power made the trade-down especially valuable because the Vikings filled a premium position after moving nine spots.
The additional Minnesota picks were misses. Mond lasted only one season before being waived, and Davis never established a meaningful role. That prevents the Vikings from receiving an A+ despite landing Darrisaw.
Vera-Tucker has been very good when available. He started all 43 games he played over his first four seasons and has lined up at every offensive-line position except center. His 2024 season was his healthiest since his rookie year, with 15 starts. Injuries have been the defining drawback: a torn triceps ended 2022, an Achilles injury ended 2023, and another triceps injury before Week 1 cost him the entire 2025 season. Those absences have limited the total return on New York's move up.
Minnesota's existing A remains appropriate because Darrisaw is a long-term answer at left tackle and the team also gained two extra Day 2 swings. New York rises from B- to B because Vera-Tucker's performance when healthy deserves more respect, but repeated lost seasons keep the Jets below the Vikings. Minnesota remains the winner.