2022 Vikings Draft Review

The 2022 NFL Draft has concluded and its time to evaluate the Minnesota Vikings draft choices.

Since I didn't do a 2021 Season review, I need to catch you up on a few things. Back in January, the Vikings fired GM Rick Spielman and HC Mike Zimmer. They cited a difference in opinion as to where the team is going. The Wilfs conducted a hiring process for both, wanting to hire the GM first to then hire the HC. Minnesota hired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah from the Cleveland Browns as their general manager. He prides himself on being an analytics guy and has worked for several financial firms. He then conducted a search for head coach. After many coaches interview with the Wilfs, including a certain Harbaugh from Michigan, the Vikings hired Kevin O'Connell from the Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams as their head coach.

In Kwesi and Kevin's first draft in their respective positions, here is how the draft went.

2022 NFL Draft
1st Round:
Pick 32: S Lewis Cine (Georgia)
Analysis: The Vikings traded down from 12th overall to draft Cine. They traded with Detroit to move down to 32, and up to 34th in the 2nd round. 
Lewis Cine is from the cream of the crop of safeties in this year's draft. Georgia had 5 players drafted in the first round this year, the most in the round by any school this year. He is a player that everyone in Georgia believes should be on their team, but I'm not sure if that means he is a great guy or good player. Hopefully both. Cine needs to be decent this year, not a lot of fans liked trading down in the 1st round when the Vikings had the opportunity to draft the number 1 safety on the board in Kyle Hamilton.
Grade: B-

2nd Round:
Pick 10 (42nd overall): CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson)
Analysis: Technically the Vikings traded up for this pick after another trade down. I will assess the trade down in the next pick. As far as this one goes, the Vikings got a decent corner for relatively no cost. Booth was pretty good for Clemson this past year and was in the top 15 for corners in this year's draft. 
Grade: A-

Pick 27 (59th overall): OG Ed Ingram (LSU)
Analysis: Minnesota traded down to 59 from 34th overall. They traded said pick to the Packers in exchange for 59th overall as well as a couple 3rd round picks. To make matters worse, Green Bay drafted NDSU star wideout Christian Watson with the 34th overall pick. Fans will be watching this one closely, as they don't take kindly to trading a coveted pick to our archrival.
By all accounts, the Vikings seem to have gotten a relatively good guard with this pick. While there were a couple guards seemingly better on the board, Ingram should be able to fill a need in the offensive line relatively soon. 
Grade: B+

3rd Round:
Pick 2 (66th overall): ILB Brian Asamoah (Oklahoma)
Analysis: This was a pick Minnesota gained from trading the 12th overall pick to Detroit. The Vikings filled their linebacker need here with a skilled back in Asamoah from Oklahoma. While Minnesota may not need a linebacker to start, they need depth and they certainly got it here. If Asamoah does see the field, he should be a decent pick for the purple.
Grade: B+

4th Round:
Pick 13  (118th overall): CB Akayleb Evans (Missouri)
Analysis: Minnesota received this pick in a trade from Cleveland. The Vikings filled more of their cornerback room with this pick. Evans joins a relatively unexperienced group of guys led by veteran Patrick Peterson. While he won't be a star on the Vikings defense, at least not yet, he will fill desperately needed depth on that side of the ball.
Grade: B

5th Round:
Pick 22 (165th overall): DE Esezi Otomewo (Minnesota)
Analysis: The purple received this pick from a trade with Las Vegas. This is mostly a feel good story for Gopher fans I feel like. While Otomewo shows physical promise to be something more, at the moment he isn't much of an edge rusher. Minnesota was reaching a little bit for this one.
Grade: C-

Pick 26 (169th overall): RB Ty Chandler (North Carolina)
Analysis: Yet another pick received from Las Vegas. Minnesota drafted a rather small Chandler to add to the running back room on the depth chart. He reminds me a lot of Alexander Mattison the way he can shift through traffic without losing speed. He also shows signs of a pass-catching ability similar to Dalvin Cook. While I don't envision him replacing Cook, he could be Mattison's successor if the backup back were to go elsewhere after this season.
Grade: B+

6th Round:
Pick 5 (184th overall): OT Vederian Lowe (Illinois)
Analysis: Recieved from the Jets, the Vikings picked another offensive lineman. While Minnesota needed line talent to replace a low mediocre play last season, I am not sure that a 6th rounder will pan out much. Lowe is big enough for a lineman, but isn't agile enough to compete day 1 with NFL defenders.
Grade: D+

Pick 12 (191st overall): WR Jalen Nailor (Michigan State)
Analysis: Minnesota drafted a wide receiver in the 6th round. Nailor isn't a very big receiver and doesn't seem to translate to the NFL level for pass catching. I envision the Vikings using Nailor as a punt or kick return specialist or as the backup for said position. The wide receiver room is already full and more then that, Nailor won't see the field as a pass catcher unless the depth is tested.
Grade: D-

7th Round:
Pick 6 (227th overall): TE Nick Muse (South Carolina)
Analysis: The Vikings drafted an early 7th round tight end here. While Minnesota does need tight end depth, I am not sure Muse will make the starting roster. If he does, he will need to get better at run-blocking. That seems to be a major component from O'Connell's scheme from LA. Otherwise, Muse will probably be on the market by the end of training camp.
Grade: C

Overall Grade: C+

I am not giving the Vikings a very good grade to start out. This draft doesn't look very good on paper for the Vikings, but who knows what these guys will be come August. I hope for the new front office's sake, at least a few of these players show promise. Otherwise, all fans will remember is that the raw rookies of our front office traded coveted picks to our division rivals. 

#skol