Actions

Vikings move down to take Virginia Tech's Christian Darrisaw

Matt Gentry/AP

FILE - Christian Darrisaw smiles after completing a set of offensive line drills during Virginia Tech Pro Day in Blacksburg, Va., in this Friday, March 26, 2021, file photo. Darrisaw is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft, April 29-May 1, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry, File)

By: The Associated Press

Posted at 11:36 AM, Apr 30, 2021

and last updated 2021-04-30 11:36:45-04

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have selected Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw with the 23rd overall pick in the NFL draft.

They moved down nine spots with a familiar draft-night trade to stockpile more picks.

Darrisaw is a late-blooming, athletic blocker at 6-foot-5 and 322 pounds. He was a second team All-American in 2020 who can fill a significant need at left tackle after Riley Reiff was released.

The Vikings had the No. 14 spot on the board, which would have been their highest in six years. They sent it to the New York Jets with one of their four choices in the fourth round.