Vikings’ Grisly Mistake Goes Under the Microscope
By this time next year, the Minnesota Vikings’ entire 2022 draft class could be removed from the team and either out of the NFL or playing for different squads.
The Vikings’ 2022 draft class hasn’t aged well. Two 2022 draftees now face roster uncertainty — a glaring failure finally under the spotlight.
The class is considered a blemish on all the Vikings, frequently mentioned by the team’s fans, even panned by the most optimistic ones.
Well, this summer, the remainder of the 2022 crop will go under the microscope, with linebacker Brian Asamoah and running back Ty Chandler vying to stay on the 53-man depth chart.
Brian Asamoah & Ty Chandler, 2022 Draft Class Members, Fend off Roster Cuts
Right off the bat, let’s get this out of the way. The Vikings don’t use Asamoah on defense. They don’t allow it. The man has played 69 defensive snaps in the last two years, or about 3%. He’s a special teams contributor, but that’s about it.
Meanwhile, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the architect of the 2022 draft class, signed Eric Wilson from the Green Bay Packers in free agency. He’ll be the primary backup off-ball linebacker behind Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman. Asamoah could be the odd man out amid roster cutdowns.
Chandler, the club’s current RB3, is also battling to make the 53-man roster. At the end of August, dozens of running backs around the NFL will be waived, and the Vikings could find one who’s more productive than Chandler. That could even be Cam Akers, Chandler’s habitual job stealer, if New Orleans cuts him loose.
Aside from Asamoah, Chandler, and a wide receiver to be named momentarily, the rest of the 2022 class has vamoosed.
The Vikings’ 2022 Draft Was Ghastly
70% of the class has left the team.
2022 Draftees Already Long Gone
These 2022 draftees no longer play for the Vikings:
- Lewis Cine (Round 1, S)
- Andrew Booth (Round 2, CB)
- Ed Ingram (Round 2, G)
- Esezi Otomewo (Round 5, DT)
- Vederian Lowe (Round 6, OT)
- Nick Muse (Round 7, TE)
Seventy percent of the 2022 haul is gone by the start of Year No. 4 in the league, a truly horrifying stat.
A Lone Bright Spot: Jalen Nailor
One quasi-bright spot remains, wide receiver Jalen Nailor.
He’s the Vikings’ WR3, a job he’ll likely retain in 2025. Nailor delivered 414 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns last year, the first season of full health in three years for the speedster.
Yet, Nailor’s final season is 2025, and because Minnesota drafted Tai Felton (Round 3) in April, Nailor, as well, may be on the way out.
Our Brevan Bane wrote about Nailor last month, “There’s not only Tai Felton to worry about, but the Vikings also signed WR Rondale Moore this past March, adding another player that Nailor will have to prove himself better than to keep his WR3 stature.”
“There is a real possibility that Nailor falls to WR5 before the 2025 season even kicks off, but in his defense, he has been with Kevin O’Connell since they both got to Minnesota in 2022, therefore, he has the most familiarity with the offense and all indications are that the coaching staff and front office are fans of ‘Speedy’ Nailor.”
Vikings’ Drafts Have Improved since 2022
Thankfully for Adofo-Mensah’s cause, his subsequent drafts have improved, with an almighty verdict on J.J. McCarthy upcoming. McCarthy will need time to develop fully — probably three to four seasons — but Vikings faithful should start to get an indicator of his ceiling this year.
Jordan Addison from the 2023 draft has been a hit, and outside linebacker Dallas Turner will be intently monitored this season and beyond.
The 2022 draft took the cake for swings and misses. Improvement since.
PPTSD on Brian Asamoah
Bane opined last month on Asamoah and his last ride with the Vikings: “Brian Asamoah II was a part of the absolutely dreadful 2022 NFL Draft Class for these Vikings, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first with the team. In a class lowlighted by busts Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr., Asamoah was the 66th overall selection of the event.”
“Asamoah, unfortunately, has been passed on the depth chart at middle-linebacker by just about every semi-notable acquisition that the team has made at the position, and after three seasons, no notable improvement has been reported or displayed by the man since his arrival in Minnesota.”
When Asamoah eventually departs — this summer or next March — it will be fascinating to see how he plays within a different defense. Again, the Vikings don’t even bother using him. Minnesota gave him a look as a rookie on defense, he played well, and then never really provided another shot in 2023 or 2024.
Bane continued, “It is of note that he has played 61% of the Vikings’ special teams snaps over each of the last two seasons, so if he has anything to cling to to remain in royal purple, it’s potentially the Vikings appreciating his work in that phase of the game.”
“However, it still wouldn’t even be a surprise if Brian Asamoah II didn’t even make the team’s final 53-man roster when the 2025 NFL regular season comes around.”
Nailor could be the last man standing by the start of the regular season, and even he may be on borrowed time.
Vikings Linked to Big-Name Free Agent
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