How good could the Minnesota Vikings be if their selections from the 2022 NFL Draft contributed more out on the field this season?
The Minnesota Vikings have had a spectacular season under Kevin O’Connell and sit comfortably near the top of the NFC. Surprisingly, the Vikings were able to turn things around without getting much out of their rookie class from the 2022 NFL Draft.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was highly touted for his analytics-driven mindset as a GM, but his additions have not made the impact that many had hoped. Instead, his newly-hired head coach has been the driver behind such a remarkable start to the season. What if Adofo-Mensah was able to hit on his draft picks, and Minnesota had an even better roster down the stretch in 2022?
Injuries and struggles have been the early returns on the Vikings’ rookie group. Lewis Cine hardly played before a gruesome injury in London ended his season. Now, just a couple of months later, Andrew Booth Jr. finds himself in the same boat.
Minnesota’s first two selections in 2022 are done for the season after less-than-stellar debuts, while the rest of their rookie teammates have failed to set themselves apart. Of all the rookies, cornerback Akayleb Evans has probably been the most successful thus far.
This all makes the stretch run of this team all that more interesting. Could the Vikings be stronger contenders if they went in a different direction last spring?