Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
New Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has done a good job of filling the glaring holes on the Minnesota Vikings roster. The Vikings have at least a startable option at every position. You can argue for wanting better or more experience at certain positions.
For example, center, guard, defensive end, safety, and cornerback are the areas that spring to mind. I’m sure some would say quarterback, too. Now that it’s April, I think it is time we take a close look at the Vikings top 3 draft needs.
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Dan Parr of NFL.com has given his opinion on the top 3 draft needs for all 32 NFL teams. This is what he had to say for the Minnesota Vikings:
Biggest needs: DL, CB, TE
“The re-signing of Patrick Peterson filled the Vikings’ most glaring hole, which means the new regime in Minnesota can cast a wide net, from a positional perspective, in the draft. Beefing up the D-line, selecting Peterson’s likely successor, or adding another weapon for Kirk Cousins all seem like possibilities.”
Dan Parr | NFL.com
I can see where he’s coming from with all three. In my opinion, a pass rusher who can also set the edge against the run in a front three on the defensive line is now the Vikings most significant need — the guy who will be next to Dalvin Tomlinson and Harrison Phillips and be expected to hold his own in the run game while providing a genuine big threat rushing the passer.
Armon Watts probably has that role at the moment, and he is a solid player. He can certainly be improved upon, though. There could be some good options on the board at 12, like Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, and George Karlaftis. Alternatively, in the second round, DeMarvin Leal and Cameron Thomas stand out as excellent options.
Although not as desperately since the signings of Patrick Peterson, Nate Hairston, and Chandon Sullivan, the cornerback position still needs addressing. The long-term replacement for Peterson and superstar outside corner is what we want. The question is whether the top corners in this draft will still be on the board at 12. Vikings fans have become enamored with Sauce Gardner. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely he will be available to the Vikings. Perhaps it will be one of Derek Stingley, Andrew Booth, or Trent McDuffie. If not, it could be Kair Elam or Roger McCreary in the second round.
I don’t think the Vikings need another tight end. It’s not the third-biggest need. Irv Smith should be back and ready to have that major breakout season we expected last season. Another playmaker to develop would undoubtedly be a boost, though. I don’t think that happens until Day 3 of the draft when there will still be some good value available for that position. A couple of names I like include Chigoziem Okonkwo, Charlie Kolar, and Cole Turner.
There are several positions which could do with an upgrade, like center and guard. Several Vikings players, like Patrick Peterson, are getting older, and an eventual replacement needs to be found (the likes of Harrison Smith, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, and of course, Kirk Cousins). I wouldn’t put any as a bigger priority than the other right now. That is a credit to the work Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has done in the early days of his tenure as general manager.
The Vikings top 3 draft needs are really just two and then look for players who have the potential to improve the roster at multiple positions.