The primary headline from Senior Bowl week for the Minnesota Vikings came at the end, when general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired. The timing of the move was odd on its own, but an extra layer was added when Adofo-Mensah was spotted on-site in Mobile getting a look at (and presumably also meeting with) incoming draft prospects.
A big part of Adofo-Mensah's downfall as the Vikings' general manager was failure in the draft. Time will tell what the 2026 draft brings, with long-time executive Rob Brzezinski leading the front office and head coach Kevin O'Connell surely having prominent input. But a change in that recent late-April trajectory is a must.
With Brian Flores back as defensive coordinator for at least one more year, he will maintain significant say in who is signed or drafted to fill out his unit. On that front, one free agent who really stood out this season is sure to be a priority to re-sign. But that free agent could also find a significant payday elsewhere, and the Vikings aren't in a great position to match a significant offer.
The Minnesota Vikings may have a nice draft contingency plan that defensive coordinator Brian Flores will love
As the practice week in Mobile wrapped up, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report matched eight Senior Bowl standouts with an NFL team.
The Vikings were of course matched with one, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
"It's a time of great upheaval in the Twin Cities. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was shockingly fired this week after travelling to Mobile to watch Senior Bowl practices. But whoever replaces him will be facing some potentially tough decisions—especially on the defensive side of the ball."
"Eric Wilson played well for the Vikings in 2025, but he's 32 years old and set to hit free agency. The team could be looking to patch a hole opposite Blake Cashman. Off-ball linebacker may not be a premium position, but Rodriguez could be a Day 1 starter available on the draft's second day."
"His aggressiveness and penchant for takeaways would no doubt appeal to Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores."
Rodriguez had a breakthrough season at Texas Tech in 2024, with 127 total tackles, five sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, one interception, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Then he took things up a notch last season, with 128 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four interceptions, one sack, a FBS-high seven forced fumbles, six pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries.
Rodriguez also became just the third player to win the Butkus Award, the Nagurski Trophy, and the Bednarik Award in the same season. He also finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.
While Rodriguez (6-foot-1, 233 pounds) might lack the size and athleticism NFL scouts consider ideal for an off-ball linebacker, as Davenport noted, he clearly has a nose for the ball, and his Pro Football grades as both a run and pass defender last season were elite (94.8 and 92.3, respectively). While most of his work was as an in-the-box defender, PFF also had him with 61 snaps where he lined up as a slot corner and another 27 snaps where he was lined up as a defensive lineman.
To go with what he did on the field, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah passed along word from teams saying Rodriguez did well during interviews over the course of the week at the Senior Bowl.
Versatility. Physicality. A nose for the football. Rodriguez sounds like someone Flores will pound the draft table for. And even if Wilson is re-signed, the Vikings' linebacking corps could use an infusion of youth/long-term viability.