Vikings Ranking: The 5 Best Draft Picks of the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Era
Last week, the Vikings ranking considered the QB trade candidates. I, for one, continue to see Justin Fields and Jameis Winston as the top options.
To begin, a tip of the cap to Janik Eckardt, who offers a beefier ranking that includes each Adofo-Mensah draft pick over on Vikings Territory. Note, as well, that we’re working with incomplete information since we’re discussing drafts from 2022 to the present moment and not draft classes that are ten or twenty years in the past. An ideal Vikings world sees J.J. McCarthy and then Dallas Turner atop these rankings in the future, but that isn’t yet the case. Consider the lay of the land at present.
Vikings Ranking: The 5 Best Draftees
5) Jalen Nailor, Receiver, 6th Round of the 2022 NFL Draft
Very soon, the receiver is going to journey into the open market (unless a new deal gets done, which appears unlikely).
Choosing a solid WR3 who can take the top off the defense in the 6th is a nice outcome. Nailor has worked hard since becoming a Viking, building up his body so that he’s a more formidable presence along the outside. Working in his favor, as well, is that he is a capable chain mover and touchdown scorer.
Nice work in drafting Mr. Nailor in 2022. Let the final score show 1/10 from that draft haul.
4) Jay Ward, Safety, 4th Round of the 2023 NFL Draft
Pay attention to where things are going at safety. Soon enough, Jay Ward is going to be a key part of the mix within the Brian Flores secondary.
The defender has good length and speed. Making those attributes really pop are the competitive spirit that manifests itself in aggressive, physical play. Seeing him go off in 2026 as a full-time starter won’t be surprising. Ward is already a stud on special teams; recent play hints that he may become a stud on defense sooner rather than later.
3) Jordan Addison, Receiver, 1st Round of the 2023 NFL Draft
Addison is a very good football player. Off the field is more concerning.
Worth remembering, as well, that Addison hasn’t cleared 1,000 yards in a single season. Part of that is due to being Robin as Justin Jefferson is in the role of Batman. Again, though, there’s what’s obvious: the on-field ability that allows him to scorch NFL corners. Figuring out things at QB means having a WR2 who can clear 1K yards and 10 TDs on an annual basis.
2) Donovan Jackson, Left Guard, 1st Round of the 2025 NFL Draft
Count me among the believers in Mr. Jackson. Toughness, compete, leadership, size, athleticism, and youth. Look for him to someday be a team captain.
Opting for a guard in the 1st isn’t always a wise move. Jackson, though, appears to be worth the investment. Securing a high-end option for the next decade is tidy work. Jackson isn’t there yet, but the upside is evident when watching him.
1) Will Reichard, Kicker, 6th Round of the 2024 NFL Draft
Already, the kid is a first-team All Pro. Choosing an elite kicker in the 6th is fantastic work.
Minnesota is a franchise that is unusually familiar with kicking heartbreak. Finding someone who is already elite in the regular season is a tremendous outcome. What’s really going to make things look good for the Vikings is if Reichard develops into an assassin in the playoffs. Finishing off rival teams with clutch kicks late will mean that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah crushed the decision to draft Will Reichard.
