Did the Vikings Concede Defeat on a Member of the 2022 Draft Class?
Did the Vikings concede defeat on Ed Ingram by signing Dalton Risner?
Over the long term, the answer is a firm “no.” After all, we’re not even through a couple seasons at the NFL level, so much remains uncertain even as things are trending in a negative direction. Part of the negativity that exists among Vikings fans, though, rests in the reality that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s initial draft class has largely failed to take flight. Most are barely on the runway; some are back in the airport.
Signing Risner appears to be a smart move but if Ingram is the one who is being replaced than fans will be given even more ammunition for the growing criticisms being sent toward the GM.
Will the Vikings Concede Defeat on Another Player from the 2022 Draft Class?
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah understands the sunk cost fallacy.
In theory, an economist should understand when it’s time to move on from a bad investment. Yes, putting a pile of time, effort, and money into something makes it painful to move on, but those are all sunk costs (i.e. past things that can’t be undone). The wise investor thus takes a sober look at the state of affairs and then decides whether it’s better to move on.
Is that what’s going on with Dalton Risner?
Earlier in the week, the Vikings finally took the plunge, cashing in on some of that cap space to onboard the talented offensive lineman. At 0-2, the season is in danger of slipping away just as it’s beginning. Getting better blocking up front is one of the areas that’s most worrisome to the decision makers in Eagan, as the Risner deal further reconfirms.
Presumably, the former Bronco will get the chance to challenge for the starting spot at right guard.
When health allows, the Vikings have a tackle tandem that’s the envy of most of the league. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are both studs who aren’t being kicked out of their starting roles unless an injury necessitates such an approach.
Meanwhile, the Vikings seem quite content at center given that they agreed to a new deal with Garrett Bradbury during the offseason. He has been navigating a back ailment and Austin Schlottmann has done a reasonably strong job in his absence. Expect the C1 and C2 to maintain their spots in the pecking order.
Guard is where there’s more mystery.
Currently, the Vikings have Risner listed as the LG2. Like Vikings Territory‘s Sean Borman, I see very little reason to overreact to that initial placement. Much remains to be decided up front, and Risner’s most recent experience is at left guard. In all likelihood, the Vikings are placing him there simply for convenience as they navigate the big fella shuffle occurring on offense.
Maybe Risner gets a look at left tackle if Darrisaw isn’t yet ready to return, but most of the attention is on that right guard spot. Ed Ingram was easily the one who played the most as a rookie in 2022. Take a look at the snap breakdown for Kwesi’s initial draft class in their opening season:
| Player | Snaps on Offense/Defense |
| Cine, Lewis | 2 |
| Booth Jr., Andrew | 105 |
| Ingram, Ed | 1168 |
| Asamoah, Brian | 119 |
| Evans, Akayleb | 162 |
| Otomewo, Esezi | 89 |
| Chandler, Ty | 12 |
| Lowe, Vederian | 33 |
| Nailor, Jalen | 57 |
| Muse, Nick | 0 |
A couple games into Year 2 and things aren’t looking particularly rosy for the 2022 draft class.
Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr. are yet to get onto the field for the Brian Flores defense. After a bunch of hype, Brian Asamoah has been relegated to a backup role. Esezi Otomewo and Vederian Lowe are no longer with the team. Ty Chandler, Jalen Nailor, and Nick Muse are all playing negligible roles.
The only two who have been starting are Akayleb Evans and Ed Ingram. The 4th-round corner has been doing a nice job, standing out as a lonely bright spot. Meanwhile, some of Ingram’s rookie struggles have persisted into his sophomore season.
The simple fact that Ingram is a 2nd-round selection isn’t reason to keep playing him if there’s a better option. After all, the draft slot is a sunk cost, the kind of decision that no amount of wishful thinking can take back. Minnesota needs to perform an objective analysis on their offensive line and then make the move that best positions them for success from Week 3 onward.
In the end, Risner could be the right choice to slide in beside Bradbury and O’Neill. If that happens, the Vikings aren’t giving up on Ingram, but it is an admission that his play hasn’t been up to their standard.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.