Vikings Decided Not to Draft a Player at Key Position
Mitchel Massman
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While we’re all busy dissecting the players drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, we should note who they didn’t target. The Vikings decided not to draft a guy at the most important position on the field. AKA the quarterback.
There was a lot of discussion leading up to the draft on if the Vikings should draft a quarterback. After all, Kirk Cousins only signed a one-year deal. There is a strong possibility that he is not the starting quarterback in 2024.
If the plan is to move on from Cousins after 2023, why didn’t the Vikings draft a quarterback this year? Most quarterbacks that entered the draft in 2022 were seen as project guys. So, it would have made sense for the Vikings to take a guy this year.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had plenty of opportunities. However, he decided to pass on guys over and over again. He could have drafted Malik Willis, Matt Corral, or Desmond Ridder in the third round. Kwesi could even have taken Sam Howell in the 5th round.
It seems baffling that he passed on all four of these guys repeatedly. Why would not take a guy like Malik Willis in the third round? He could’ve sat behind Kirk Cousins and been a quality backup while developing.
Yes, the Vikings needed to add the defensive players they did. There is really no question about that. The defense was so depleted that without an infusion of talent it would likely implode on itself by mid-season once again.
Although, for a guy like Kwesi, who is analytically minded, one would have thought the value of a quarterback in the third round would have been ideal. Why not take a flyer and see if he develops?
Where Does This Leave the Vikings Now
Since the Vikings neglected to add to the quarterback position in the draft, they are stuck with Cousins. Now, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Cousins has proven time and time again that he can play well.
However, the question has always been, can he elevate the team to a championship level? Obviously, after four years, that question is still answered with a resounding no. Kirk Stans will quickly point out that he has great stats and has played well in crucial scenarios. Sure, that is true, but we still don’t have a Super Bowl.
Although, the bigger problem is what if Kirk gets injured? Thankfully, he is a durable guy, but injuries in the NFL are always possible. If that were to occur, the Vikings have left themselves in a horrible position. Behind Cousins, the Vikings have:
- Kellen Mond
- Sean Mannion
- Nate Stanley
Let’s be honest with ourselves. None of these guys have proven worthy to step onto an NFL field. Of course, Kellen Mond is coming into his second year, and he could make improvements. However, he hasn’t proven that just yet. Furthermore, Mond hasn’t even proven that he can beat Mannion in a camp competition.
All of this to say, the Vikings’ depth at quarterback is poor. They should have taken a flyer on a guy like Sam Howell in the 5th round. However, they neglected to do so. Now, they need to hope that Cousins remains as durable as he has been these last four years.
Mitch Massman is a life-long Vikings fan. His first heartbreak was the 1998 NFC championship game. His full-time job is as an economic development professional in rural Minnesota. He fantasizes about the Vikings winning a Super Bowl one day, but until then he will write about the Vikings. Follow him on Twitter @skol_vikings3
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