Key Vikings Countdown Will Hit Zero on Monday
Like a dragon guarding gold, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has been guarding his hard-earned compensatory selections for 2026.
Soon, the Vikings countdown will end. In fact, tomorrow is the day when the NFL allows teams to begin signing free agents without needing to do the cost/benefit analysis of potentially losing a compensatory selection. The Vikings are sitting on roughly $17 million in cap space — some of which will get used on the draft class, which is to say nothing of Sam Howell — so they’ll be able to make a signing or two, if desired.
Vikings Countdown:
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah & The Compensatory Picks
The comp pick discussion has been taking place for a little while, even getting mentioned in a previous presser from the GM.
So, too, has Lindsey Young of the Vikings’ website discussed the matter. Consider what she previously had to say while describing the broader state of the quarterback position: “Adofo-Mensah addressed the position Thursday, clarifying that the Vikings patience to sign another arm isn’t strictly related to waiting out the compensatory pick period, in which inking a free agent could be counted against them for extra selections awarded next year. There’s no consideration for comp pick allotment starting on the Monday after the NFL Draft, so in this case, the Vikings would be in the clear April 28.”
Go ahead and take a look at the calendar. April 28th arrives tomorrow.
Something that’s obvious but worth highlighting is that resources in the NFL are finite. A team can only spend so much money; there’s a certain amount of draft picks that get handed out to each team and these teams then decide how to use them.
Compensatory picks, however, are one of the unique ways of creating value out of thin air. Or, put differently, of strategically managing the free agency period as a way of further bolstering a team’s draft capital. Adofo-Mensah is someone who knows all about value, so it’s no surprise that he’s keen to play the comp pick game.
Of course, the team’s roster holes have changed due to the 2025 NFL Draft. Most notably, there was the addition of left guard Donovan Jackson, but he doesn’t stand alone as the only significant add.
Tai Felton is going to help to secure the receiver depth, possibly climbing as high as WR3 if he exceeds expectations. Meanwhile, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is going to fortify the defensive tackle depth. Later on in the draft, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah brought in other players — linebacker Kobe King and tight end Gavin Bartholomew — to similarly work toward beefing up the roster.
Oh, and then there was the add at quarterback: Howell is now in town to compete with Brett Rypien to be the Vikings’ QB2.
Addressing needs via the draft is a cost-effective way of fortifying depth, a savvy way of balancing the budget with players who possess upside but who won’t take large bites out of the financial pie.
The good news is simply that the Vikings countdown for adding more established veterans is soon going to hit zero. On Monday, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can begin discussions again with the NFL’s free agents with a bit more pizzazz since sending out a contract won’t come with the downside of losing a compensatory pick.
According to Nick Korte of Over the Cap, the Vikings are expected to gain a 3rd and 5th in 2026 due to the departures of Sam Darnold and Cam Robinson.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap helped with this piece.
The Draft Served a Vikings’ QB2 Target Right on a Silver Platter
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.