At Long Last, The Vikings Can Sink their Teeth into Unique Benefit
GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wasn’t particularly keen about keeping Minnesota’s 2nd-Round selections. The former top executive only had a pair of picks from that round in his time in Eagan, resulting in corner Andrew Booth alongside guard Ed Ingram (neither of whom worked out).
A lifetime ago, the Vikings generated a ton of value out of the 2nd Round of the draft.
Consider, for instance, the ongoing status of starting right tackle Brian O’Neill as an excellent player. He got brought to Minnesota in the 2nd Round of the 2018 NFL Draft. O’Neill has burned through his rookie contract and is approaching his final season on the extension he signed afterwards. In fact, the large lad looks like a nice candidate for yet another deal, demonstrating how good a 2nd-Round pick can be.
The Vikings Can Draft a Strong Talent in the 2nd
Currently, Minnesota is sitting on eight draft picks. A ninth should get added due to the compensatory picks process.
Worth mentioning, of course, that tremendous talent can arrive from anywhere in the draft. There’s some guy named Tom Brady who went in the 6th once upon a time. Defensive lineman John Randle (who is now wearing a gold jacket as a Hall of Fame talent) got picked up as an undrafted player.
Pointing out these exceptions isn’t to say that these outcomes are likely. Rather, they’re possible. Any and all picks are to be coveted, which is to say nothing about the importance of mining talent from the UDFA process.
On the other side of things is the odds. Generally speaking, higher picks play better.
Sitting at the very top of Minnesota’s draft assets is that 1st-Round selection. The pick arrives at No. 18.
Many were hoping for something in the top ten — higher is better — but there’s some luxury in that spot. Most notably, the selection is low enough that opting for a tight end, linebacker, safety, or running back (all considered less valuable positions) won’t be considered a reach since it’s not a truly elite draft slot.
Any chance someone like TE Kenyon Sadiq, LB Sonny Styles, S Caleb Downs, or RB Jeremiyah Love fall so far? If so, Minnesota’s leadership may be doing cartwheels while bringing the card up to Roger Goodell.
Next up is the 2nd-Round pick, which is slotted in at No. 49.
The Vikings of yesteryear picked Brian O’Neill in the 2nd. So, too, was there the decision to bring in tight end Kyle Rudolph, linebacker Eric Kendricks, corner Mackensie Alexander, running back Dalvin Cook, and guard Ezra Cleveland from that round from 2010 to 2020. Not too shabby, right?
Minnesota has moved out 2nd-Round selections in trades for veteran tight end T.J. Hockenson alongside the ability to accrue enough draft capital to eventually land edge rusher Dallas Turner. Good players but not yet worth losing all of those 2nd-Round picks.
The best thing the Vikings can do to fix the salary cap mess is to draft well.
