The Current State of Affairs for Vikings’ 2022 Draft Picks
Back in 2022, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah arrived as the new Vikings general manager. A man with no previous experience at the lofty position in the organization and an analytical background rather than a football one.
He went into the draft with no prior experience to draw upon. Two years on is a fair amount of time to start to draw conclusions on that draft. So, let’s look at the current state of affairs for the Vikings 2022 draft picks — something that has come into sharp focus with the release of that year’s first-round pick this week.
The Current State of Affairs for Vikings’ 2022 Draft Picks
The first draft was always going to be a learning curve for Adofo-Mensah. His appointment, along with first-time head coach Kevin O’Connell, was never about instant success. The Vikings were going for something completely different and a long-term route. Minnesota made 10 selections in the 2022 draft, and of them, six remain on the roster. I will take a look at all 10 players, how their time in Minnesota is going/went, and where they are now in their careers.
Lewis Cine
The story of this draft will always be passing on Kyle Hamilton, already a first-team All-Pro safety in just his second season. Trading back and taking Lewis Cine with the 32nd overall pick looks like a colossal error now that he has been waived going into his third season with just 10 defensive snaps and one tackle to his name.
A horrific injury in Week 4 of his rookie season certainly hasn’t helped Cine’s progress. Despite some flash plays in this season’s preseason games, the Vikings decided the time had come to move on. Due to the injury and then a change at defensive coordinator, he was beaten out by Cam Bynum in training camp of his rookie season. It just didn’t happen for him in Minnesota. Cine has signed for the Buffalo Bills.
Andrew Booth
To make matters worse — following more trades — the Vikings drafted cornerback Andrew Booth in the second round with the extra pick they got from the first-round trade. Booth was recently traded to the Dallas Cowboys after failing to impress in two years in Minnesota. It leaves the top of the draft and the trades make it look like a mess. Booth made the initial 53-man roster in Dallas and looks to have a role on former Vikings HC Mike Zimmer’s defense for now.
Ed Ingram
Ed Ingram is the one player from this draft who goes into Year 3 with a definite starting role. The former LSU Tiger has had his struggles, but other than missing a couple of games due to injury, he has been an ever-present right guard since entering the league.
It’s a big year for Ingram. While he has done enough to hold on to his place for now, he needs to show continued improvement if the second-round pick is to remain the Vikings RG over the coming years.
Brian Asamoah
Seen by some as a candidate to be cut this week, Brian Asamoah made the 53-man roster as one of the four inside linebackers. Asamoah had a promising rookie season leading to hope of a breakout season in 2023. That never materialized as undrafted rookie sensation Ivan Pace Jr. not only passed him on the depth chart but disappeared into the distance. In January, Asamoah had shoulder surgery, and it was revealed that he had been hampered by a shoulder issue all of last season. It remains to be seen if the third-round pick can get back to showing the promise of his rookie year.
Akayleb Evans
Akayleb Evans was one of the early success stories of this draft class. The fifth-round pick showed promise in his rookie season and was named a starting cornerback in Year 2. Coming into Year 3 Evans has gone from starter to possibly the bottom of the depth chart if undrafted rookie Dwignt McGlothern surpasses him. Evans has had plenty of opportunity but has failed to show enough to keep a role as a starter.
Esezi Otomewo
Esezi Otomewo only lasted one year in Minnesota. The Vikings drafted the Minnesota Golden Gopher edge rusher in the fifth round, and he played in five games in his rookie season, making five tackles, including a tackle for loss. I was slightly surprised he didn’t make the roster last season, and he subsequently wound up on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. Otomewo earned his place on the Jaguars roster this season earning praise from HC Doug Pederson. How far Otemewo goes from here remains to be seen, but I still feel the Vikings cut ties too early.
Ty Chandler
Ty Chandler found himself at the bottom of the depth chart in his rookie season, with the fifth-round pick only receiving six rushing attempts, which he turned into 20 yards. His chance would eventually come in Year 2 when Alexander Mattison’s experiment as a lead running back failed miserably, and an injury to Cam Akers left the path clear for Chandler to finish the season as the Vikings RB1. Chandler ended the season with 461 rushing yards at a respectable average of 4.52 yards per carry and three touchdowns.
Minnesota brought in veteran RB Aaron Jones this offseason to lead the backfield, but Chandler is the clear RB2. Jones and Chandler are the only backs on the roster, along with fullback CJ Ham. Jones’ age and injury history record should give Chandler plenty of opportunity this season. Running Jones too hard is likely to end in injury. Chandler should be looking at the 500-yard mark and confirming himself as a solid RB2. Following the release of Kene Nwangwu, Chandler is currently the lead kick returner according to the depth chart.
Vederian Lowe
Sixth-round pick Vederian Lowe only made it on the field in the final game of 2022, standing in for Christian Darrisaw in the second half. Come 2023, Lowe was no longer required, and he found his way to the New England Patriots, where he played in 11 games, including eight starts last season. The Patriots depth chart lists him as a possible starting left tackle going into this season. Lowe allowed six sacks and 38 pressures last season, along with a 41.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He may be a starter in New England, but there’s nothing yet to say Minnesota made a mistake in letting him go.
Jalen Nailor
The penultimate player on this list is the one I’m most excited about in 2024. Jalen Nailor burst onto the scene with 151 yards and a touchdown over the last two games of 2022. Hopes for a real breakthrough in 2023 were hampered by injury, leading us to see very little of the sixth-round pick last season, with K.J. Osborn gone and T.J. Hockenson set to miss at least the first four games of the season.
The WR3 role was available and set to be extra important to start the season. Nailor has secured that WR3 role with an impressive training camp and preseason. Now he needs to take that momentum into the regular season.
Nick Muse
Aided by T.J. Hockenson missing the start of the season, Nick Muse made the roster as TE3 beating out Robert Tonyan and N’Keal Harry. He may revert to the practice squad once Hockenson finally returns unless he gets the opportunity to impress in the interim. The final pick of this draft in the seventh round Muse has been on the periphery so far in his career.
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