More Draft Capital Is Coming the Vikings’ Way
The Minnesota Vikings employ a general manager whose track record in free agency has been exceptional, which helps at this time of the year. However, his resume in the draft has raised some concerns, especially since the majority of his 2022 draft class has been ousted. It should be noted, though, that he has changed his approach in the last couple of drafts.
More Draft Capital Is Coming the Vikings’ Way
Still, he needs to hit on a player or two, and suddenly, the Vikings could be in contention for a Super Bowl after another promising free agency period.
Since the draft is a lottery and it’s hard to predict which players will work out, having more lottery tickets is helpful. Unfortunately, the Vikings don’t have that luxury this year after sending a bunch of their draft class to Jacksonville in the deal that brought Dallas Turner to the Vikings.
Good news arrived on Tuesday. The NFL announced its annual compensatory picks, and the Vikings will be awarded draft slot number 97, the highest compensatory pick this year.
The full list of Vikings picks:
- Round 1, 24th overall (organic)
- Round 3, 97th overall (compensatory pick)
- Round 5, 139th overall (Za’Darius Smith trade)
- Round 5, 160th overall (organic)
Pick 97 is awarded to the team that lost the most expensive free agent and this time, that was Kirk Cousins. The Falcons paid a ton of money to lure him to Atlanta. That move hasn’t worked out for anyone, as Cousins was benched following a disastrous stretch with only one touchdown and nine interceptions. He is now slated for backup duties unless the Falcons can find a trade partner or release him.
The Vikings, meanwhile, couldn’t be happier after parting ways with the aging signal-caller just at the perfect moment.
Unless he facilitates another trade, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has four picks to work with in April’s draft. For example, he could ship center Garrett Bradbury to another team after acquiring veteran Ryan Kelly, presumably to take the C1 spot.
Of course, he could also shop his 24th pick in the draft and opt to draft later. Gaining an extra pick or two in the process makes sense.
Most of the needs have been covered in free agency, allowing him to draft the best player on his board rather than forcing a pick at a position of need.
Potential targets in the first round could be guards Grey Zabel and Tyler Booker or cornerbacks Shavon Revel Jr., Jahdae Barron, or Benjamin Morrison. The defensive line has also been a popular choice in mock drafts. Kenneth Grant, Walter Nolen, and Derrick Harmon come to mind.
After addressing most needs in the last couple of days, Adofo-Mensah could throw a total curveball and grab a player at a position nobody really thinks about. Perhaps J.J. McCarthy would like to have another weapon?
Interestingly, the Vikings have lost the top free agent in Sam Darnold (contract-wise) again this offseason, and the 97th overall pick, the highest compensatory pick, could once again head Minnesota’s way next year.
The draft will take place on April 24th.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt