Questions Answered: Kwesi’s Worst Decision, Hendon Hooker, Tonga & Brandel in 2023
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the February 19th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Questions Answered: Kwesi’s Worst Decision, Hendon Hooker, Tonga & Brandel in 2023
Q: What do you consider Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s worst decision as Vikings general manager to date?
A: Oh, that’s an easy one — not drafting Kyle Hamilton with the 12th overall pick last April.
Hamilton wasn’t supposed to fall down the draft board to Minnesota — some considered him the best football player in the draft — but then he did, and the Vikings traded out of the pick.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hamilton was the best safety in football last year. Not just among rookies — all safeties.
Lewis Cine could turn out to be great, but Hamilton is already a guaranteed commodity for the next several years. The Vikings should’ve drafted him.
Q: Should the Vikings take a flier on Hendon Hooker in Round 3 or so this April?
A: Sure, why not.
Hooker is only about six months younger than T.J. Hockenson — which is a little weird — but the man could make an impact in the league. The Vikings don’t need a quarterback in 2023, but if they like Hooker, drafting him as a 2024 or 2025 plan could work.
We’d prefer Minnesota to wait until next year to draft Kirk Cousins’ replacement, but we wouldn’t decry a Hooker selection with mid-round draft capital.
Q: The Vikings re-signed Khyiris Tonga and Blake Brandel this week. Will either man start in 2023?
A: Tonga could start if Dalvin Tomlinson isn’t retained. Brandel will not, barring injury to Christian Darrisaw or Brian O’Neill.
Both returned to the team last week for 2023 at incredibly affordable pricetags ($940,000). We like it. Tonga was fantastic in 2022, and Brandel was a decent depth tackle.
The moves to bring them back for another year are wise.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.