The 2021 draft class cull
A new regime was always going to come with a fresh set of ideas. As it turned out, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell did not think too much of the Vikings’ 2021 draft class.
It was a brutal round of final cuts for this group. A large number were removed from the equation, which comes after Mike Zimmer received criticism for not playing them as much as many anticipated.
Kellen Mond, Wyatt Davis, Janarius Robinson, Jaylen Twyman, and Chazz Surratt were all waived. There was one more to go shortly after as Ihmir Smith-Marsette was cut loose once the trade for Jalen Reagor was confirmed.
There is no room for sentiment when it comes to roster building. The Vikings are looking to make a playoff return in O’Connell’s first season, so if they felt like this was the best thing to do, those in power were right not to hesitate.
Twyman and Robinson came back onto the practice squad, so they could play a role if injuries strike. But considering what was expected when they joined the Vikings, this represents a huge failure.
The NFL is a cutthroat business, and this is all part of it. Even so, it was shocking to see so many second-year-pros depart at the same time.