The background.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was named General Manager of the Minnesota Vikings in January 2022.
Not much was known about him at the time, but one thing which became clear was his experience leant itself more to the financial and salary management side of the role rather than scouting.
Unfortunately, that lack of experience in the scouting department has hindered the Vikings in the draft.
It is all well and good identifying and acquiring free agents on team friendly contracts – here Adofo-Mensah has made some very smart moves – but Super Bowl winning rosters are built through the draft.
Looking back at the four draft classes under Adofo-Mensah there are some glaring swings and misses and while we are still evaluating some of the more recent picks – I think it is too early to judge the 2025 class – the track record so far makes for grim reading.
2022 – The Disaster
There is one small caveat here, Adofo-Mensah took over in January and the draft was held in April. That maybe did not give him enough time to stamp his methodology into the scouting team. However that does not explain some of the decisions made.
Perhaps the biggest issue in 2022 was the trade back from the 12th overall pick. At that time the Minnesota Vikings needed a safety, and Kyle Hamilton was available. Recency bias aside, he was the clear number one prospect at the position. Also, if you are going to trade back, do not trade with a division rival.
The 12th pick was traded to the Detroit Lions who subsequently drafted Jameson Williams. With the 32nd pick the Vikings drafted safety Lewis Cine. He did suffer a horrific leg break in his rookie season which clearly hindered his development, but he never looked like a starter in the NFL.
Andrew Booth, Ed Ingram, Vederian Lowe, Brian Asamoah, Akayleb Evans, Esezi Otomewo and Nick Muse all departed with minimal contributions to the team.
Ty Chandler and Jalen Nailor are the only two of then 10 drafted players to remain on the roster. Nailor has been a success, the sixth round pick carving out a decent role as a deep threat and the clear-cut third receiver on the roster.
2023 – One Bright Spot
In terms of talent, Jordan Addison is the biggest win of Adofo-Mensah’s tenure. Addison has provided an excellent option to take some of the pressure off Justin Jefferson.
Unfortunately, it is a different story off the pitch. An arrest, a suspension and an inexplicable absence from a team walkthrough on the recent European trip make the likelihood of a second Vikings contract murky at best.
From the rest of the draft class, Jay Ward is still on the roster as a back-up safety. Mekhi Blackmon, Jaquelin Roy, Jaren Hall and DeWayne McBride have all departed without making any real impact.
2024 – Win or Bust
The 2024 draft class is undoubtedly going to be what defines Adofo-Mensah’s legacy.
After a pre-draft trade with the Houston Texans, the Vikings went into the draft with two first round picks. While the original plan seemed to involve trading both picks to move up and draft Drake Maye, the Patriots were reluctant to move away from such a strong prospect.
The Vikings used their two picks, J.J. McCarthy was the first, followed by Dallas Turner. Both players are yet to really fulfil their potential but have shown flashes of their undoubted talent.
Khyree Jackson tragically lost his life before the season started. The rest of the class have been solid if unspectacular. Walter Rouse, Michael Jurgens and Levi Drake Rodriguez have all contributed – albeit as backups – this season. Kicker Will Reichard has been a positive, bringing consistency at a position which gives most Vikings fans nightmares.
If McCarthy goes on to be quarterback the Minnesota Vikings have spent decades looking for and Turner can cement himself as a starter then this could be the class which kickstarts a new era for the Vikings.
If they both falter then Adofo-Mensah will find himself under increasing pressure.
