5 second-year Vikings under pressure after the 2022 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Which second-year Minnesota Vikings players could find their position under threat following the team’s 2022 NFL Draft picks?
With a brand new head coach and general manager coupled with no fewer than 10 draft selections, it promises to be an extremely interesting offseason period for the Minnesota Vikings. One that will obviously play a big role in what the organization is aiming to accomplish during the upcoming campaign.
Kevin O’Connell has left a good impression with his methodical approach to recruitment alongside Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. It’s been fine-tuning rather than a full-scale rebuild, which was probably the right call to make considering how much talent the Vikings have at the peak of their powers.
For those a little further down the pecking order – including the 2021 draft class – the promise of extra competition for their spots from the latest batch of college players represents a sink-or-swim scenario that will tell us plenty about their character.
With this in mind, here are five second-year Vikings players who could be under threat following the 2022 NFL Draft.
Player No. 1
Patrick Jones II – DE
It was a pretty slow burn for Patrick Jones II as a rookie. The former Pittsburgh star turned out nine times for the Vikings and failed to record a sack, so there is much work to do for the defensive end in front of a coaching staff that has no sentiment towards the player.
Jones has the physicality and explosiveness that could be a real asset. However, with Esezi Otomewo coming on board during the draft, it only lays down the gauntlet further.
Things are teetering on the unknown for Jones. The only way he can improve his fortunes is by putting it all together throughout the preparation period.