Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Names the Vikings’ “Unsung Core Pillar”
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn’t even hesitate.
On a recent interview on Peter Schrager’s podcast The Season, Adofo-Mensah was asked about an “unsung” Vikings player who most people don’t understand as being a team “core pillar.” The GM didn’t pause before spitting out the name Josh Metellus.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Josh Metellus, and the Vikings Defense
Recently, I wrote about the depth safety, arguing that he’s worthy of getting more opportunity on defense.
He got in on 258 defensive snaps last year (easily the most of his career) and delivered 5 PDs to go alongside his interception. The PFF fans will be encouraged to know that they gave him a robust 85.1 grade for his efforts. Even more encouraging is that he lined up in the slot for more than 30 of his snaps.
There’s the key, folks: Josh Metellus forces his way onto the field if he shows himself capable of doing multiple things well. After his three seasons, Metellus has given us plenty of reason to believe he can do so. The task is now to prove to Brian Flores – the new defensive sheriff – that he can fulfill whatever is needed in the secondary.
The GM is certainly a believer.
After noting that Metellus is the “core pillar” that flies under the radar, Adofo-Mensah goes on to clarify what makes the safety so special: “He’ll play some more this year, so I think you’ll see the stuff we that we’ve seen before that. But he was a special teams stalwart last year, team captain type […] you can feel when somebody’s teammates really love them, really appreciate them, and really want to follow them into battle. And he’s one of those guys.”
Right after, the GM describes Metellus as being “everything that the Minnesota Vikings are about.”
He went to college at Michigan before becoming a 6th-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. Most Vikings fans think of the year as the one that kicked Justin Jefferson over to Minnesota, but it’s a draft class that has offered several strong players.
Jefferson is the crown jewel. Ezra Cleveland has developed into a strong left guard, K.J. Osborn is (at worst) a great WR3, and Blake Brandel is a wonderful backup tackle. Troy Dye, D.J. Wonnum, and James Lynch have all been valuable depth contributors. Metellus jumps off the page as a great selection, a reality that will become especially pronounced if the general manager’s words prove prophetic.
At the beginning of minicamp, Kevin O’Connell noted that the team is experimenting with the corners and safeties in their defense: “We’re playing a lot of personnel groupings. Just trying to mix and match with our safety group to ultimately see how we can get the best 11 on the field.” In other words, a defensive look where Josh Metellus gets onto the field alongside, say, Harrison Smith and Lewis Cine shouldn’t be ruled out.
Keep an eye on the 4th-year safety as the offseason continues to unfold. His general manager loves him. He’s a sneaky candidate for an extension.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
