Vikings Draft Clues from Free Agency
Minnesota Vikings draft clues are difficult to come by for one reason — the newcomer status of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
The new bossman could “conform” to the masses’ prediction — a cornerback — or select the best player available, for instance, if Garrett Wilson, a wide receiver, was still on the board at #12. Or Adofo-Mensah could select the freakish Jordan Davis, an interior defensive lineman with Aaron Donald-ish vibes.
With one week of free agency in the rearview, clues exist on the direction of Minnesota’s NFL draft thought process. Foremost, the Vikings have signed no cornerbacks — a glaring indication they like the draft board at the position with the 12th overall pick. Thankfully for Adofo-Mensah, players like Ahmad Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr. would marry best player available and team need at #12.
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However, Minnesota could still sign free-agent CBs — especially if it converts Danielle Hunter’s $18 million in 2022 cash to bonus money — as men like Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan, Patrick Peterson, Steven Nelson, and Joe Haden remain on the wire.
But even if the Vikings sign a couple of those men, a Gardner or Stingley Jr. could still be too irresistible with the Vikings 1st-Round pick.
Consider the Vikings free-agent doings — or lack thereof — a strong indicator a cornerback will be the first selection in April.
Conversely, if Adofo-Mensah doesn’t sign a complimentary EDGE rusher for Ed Dontaell’s 3-4 defense — rumors this week suggest Jadeveon Clowney is on the team’s radar — a pass rusher is fair game in Round 1, too. At the Vikings slot in the draft, men like Jermaine Johnson or George Karlaftis should be available. Notably last week, the EDGE section of the draft board got funky after this regrettable moment:
For the faction of Vikings fans who preferred an EDGE rusher to a cornerback this April, Ojabo was often the nominee.
A general rule of thumb for the Vikings — before and during free agency — is the team will likely use the 2022 NFL Draft to get better on defense. A wildly dirty secret about the current version of Vikings is how Mike Zimmer, a defense-first coach, left the team in rough shape on defense — especially at cornerback. In theory, after the termination of a defensive coach, the offense should look shady (if anything is to be considered suspect at all).
After the first wave of free agency — in order — the most significant Vikings draft clues are these:
- The likelihood of a CB as the first pick is sky-high.
- If the team signs Patrick Peterson or another starting CB, EDGE rusher is probably a priority in the draft.
- Or Adofo-Mensah could stun everybody and select a Jordan Davis or Garrett Wilson.
The NFL draft occurs in five weeks.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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