Before Thursday, the Vikings had made three first-round draft picks in the past four years.
They were cornerback Trae Waynes, wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and cornerback Mike Hughes. Waynes and Hughes reflected coach Mike Zimmer's cornerback fetish; Treadwell reflected the occasional signature mistake from General Manager Rick Spielman — taking an impressive-looking athlete and hoping his coaching staff could turn him into a pro. (See, also: Cordarrelle Patterson.)
Wayne is a useful player. Hughes is a dynamic athlete who is promising as a corner and a returner. Treadwell will go down as one of Spielman's worst draft picks.