5 biggest Vikings concerns after the 2022 NFL Draft

The secondary

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adolfo-Mensah made it clear how important fixing the secondary was to the team’s new leadership. Minnesota selected three new defensive backs with their first four picks of the draft, Patrick Peterson is back, and Chandon Sullivan was added to the roster.

Despite those investments, there is still a very worrying lack of experience. As it stands, the Vikings’ best scenario currently involves all three of the new rookies playing in the starting lineup.

Sullivan and Cameron Dantzler only have a combined total of five seasons played in the league, and each of those seasons were filled with plenty of learning opportunities and areas for improvement.

Peterson remains the best defender of all the Minnesota cornerbacks, and he isn’t viewed as the same lockdown corner he used to be early on with the Arizona Cardinals. He would need to turn back the clock and ball out every week for the secondary unit to install any sense of fear in their opponents.

Dantzler hasn’t progressed like many hoped he would by this point in his career, and while that could very well change with new guidance, it shouldn’t be relied on as heavily as it seemingly will be this upcoming season.

Outside of Harrison Smith, the group of safeties is uninspiring and alarming. Yes, rookie Lewis Cine is coming off of a great season at Georgia that resulted in a National Championship for the school. But the fact remains he hasn’t seen a single snap against NFL talents.

While there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future with this new investment, fans may need to be very patient as these young talents continue to evolve their game.