One of Kwesi’s Main Strategies Has Taken a Notable Turn
Initially, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was willing to hand out draft capital to bring the strategy to fruition.
There are times in the NFL when talented ball players don’t work out in their initial spot. In time, though, these players can flourish, sometimes due to being in a different setting with different support and help. The GM moved ahead with the belief, sending out draft picks to bring receiver Jalen Reagor, defensive tackle Ross Blacklock, and tight end T.J. Hockenson to town in 2022. Lately, the willingness to send out picks for underperforming talent hasn’t been as common.
Kwesi’s Adjusted Strategy: Giving High-End Talent a Chance
Consider, for instance, a bit of the work last offseason.
The Vikings understood that they needed more pass-rush sizzle along the d-line (something addressed more fully in the current offseason). Rather than trade for someone, Adofo-Mensah opted to sign Jerry Tillery. Doing so did come at a cost — specifically, a roster spot alongside a $2,750,000 cap charge — but no draft picks were forfeited in the process. The bet didn’t pay off with the former 1st-Round player, but the swing was worth taking.
Go back a bit further. Marcus Davenport, a different 1st-Round pass rusher who hadn’t lived up to expectations, was brought to town on a single-season deal for $13,000,000. Quite a bit more money and (of course) a roster spot. Again, we’re considering a situation that didn’t pan out — one that had a more painful cap charge — but at least no picks were lost.
The same can’t be said about the players listed initially: Reagor, Blacklock, and Hockenson.
Of course, the move for Hockenson ended up being a good one. The TE1 has proven to be excellent in Minnesota, a target who makes a difference in the passing game. No, he isn’t on the same level as the prime version of Travis Kelce, but he’s one of the best in the business at his position. Sending over a 2nd and 3rd in exchange for the TE with a pair of 4ths in his back pocket was a tidy bit of business from Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Sending out draft picks for Reagor and Blacklock? Not excellent, folks. Neither one lasted long; neither one made a strong difference on the field. The GM very likely looks at those trades with some regret. How has he been adjusting?
Well, look at some of the recent contracts. Rondale Moore stands out. He’s 24 and was a 2nd-Round selection. Very talented, the smaller receiver could conceivably shine in Minnesota’s loaded offense. He won’t take over as the top option — or, frankly, the second or third option — but he could prove to be a nice pickup given that he’s only commanding a $1,400,000 contract.
Consider, as well, Jeff Okudah. The corner got picked up at No. 3 back in 2020. He’s still only 26 and he oozes potential. For the small price of $2,350,000 on the cap, Adofo-Mensah is giving a player another shot to prove that he can develop into an impact player. No draft capital needed, just a spot on the offseason roster and modest money.
For good reason, the Vikings have a lot of faith in their in-house resources. The NFLPA’s annual report cards come out and uplift what’s taking place in Eagan. The coaching, facilities, and resources more broadly are among the league’s very best (if not the best). Giving a talented young guy a shot from within this setting therefore makes a lot of sense.
The tweak to the approach rests in Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s hesitance to keep shipping out draft capital to take that chance. Taking a bet on young talent is still a worthwhile thing to do, but doing so while retaining precious picks is a wise adjustment.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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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 Bluesky (@VikingsGazette). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.
