It's a slow period for NFL talk and I am bored in work right now and enjoy doing these.
With the deadline to pick up 5th year options recently passed I think it's safe to review 2022. They say it takes 3 years to evaluate a draft class. And the book is all but closed on my Vikings' already. I made a thread for 2021 a couple months ago and that can be found here.
So here we go with one of the worst drafts in Vikings history:
(Only assigning grades to 1st through 4th rounders as 5-7th are crapshoots)
1.32 S Lewis Cine, Georgia - Cine was done no favors right off the bat when Adofo-Mensah traded down from 12 to 32 with a division rival for pretty much crap value. And then his picks, like Cine, made the trade even worse. The Vikings didn't need a Safety to begin with, and if you wanted one just stay at 12 and take Kyle Hamilton. This isn't even hindsight, it was said at the time. As for Cine himself, he broke his leg playing Special Teams early in his rookie year, then even though he was fully healthy, could barely even dress in year two. Was released on cut down day before last season. Currently on the Eagles PS.
F- when you account for the trade.
2.42 CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson - seen as a first round talent who fell due to injury concerns, and he was injured a lot his rookie year, and then in year 2 couldn't crack new DC Brian Flores' defense and mostly played ST. Traded for a warm body last summer.
F
2.59 G Ed Ingram, LSU - seen as a reach at the time, and he proved the draftniks correct. Started for 2.5 seasons, but was one of the worst Guards in the league. Was mercifully benched half way through last season. Was traded to the Texans for a 6th Rounder back in March.
D-
3.66 LB Brian Asomoah, Oklahoma - I didn't like this pick at the time because Nakobe Dean was still available and he has done nothing but play Special Teams so far. Wouldn't be surprised if he's gone by week 1 whether that be a cut or trade. Either way highly doubt he's on the team in 2026. You expect more from 3rd rounders.
D
4.118 CB Akayleb Evans, Missouri - In and out of the lineup for 2.5 years and then was waived and claimed by Carolina last November. Flashed at times but never put it all together.
D
5.165 DL Esezi Otomewo, Minnesota - Mostly a healthy scratch in year one, cut before year two. Currently with Pittsburgh.
5.169 RB Ty Chandler, North Carolina - Had a couple nice games towards the end of 2023, but ultimately is a JAG. Another guy I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make the team this season.
6.184 OT Vederian Lowe, Illinois - Basically redshirted his rookie year, then was traded for a 6th before the start of 2023. Think he's been average at best for the Pats. At least we got our pick back for him.
6.191 WR Jalen Nailor, Michigan St. - This was the pick I liked the most from the class besides Booth. Dealt with injuries early on, then played mostly special teams but had a bit of a breakout last year with 6 TDs. Has kind of a high drop rate and is probably best suited as WR4, but you'll take this from RD6. It's sad that this is the best pick from this class.
7.227 TE Nick Muse, South Carolina - yo-yo'd on and off the PS for 3 years, eventually signed with the Eagles in January.
Kwesi's first draft class did not go well. Starting with that awful trade down. Got way too cute there. Also went with the Speilman method of quantity over quality, which he seems to have done a complete 180 on recently. Some blame Ed Donatell for the defensive picks, but that doesn't excuse the trade down and Ingram pick. 10 picks including four in the Top 66 and your best player is a 6th round WR3. This is the worst draft class in my 25+ years of following this team. It rivals 2005.
The 2023 class isn't looking much better other than Jordan Addison. Jury's still out on 24 and obviously 25.
With the deadline to pick up 5th year options recently passed I think it's safe to review 2022. They say it takes 3 years to evaluate a draft class. And the book is all but closed on my Vikings' already. I made a thread for 2021 a couple months ago and that can be found here.
So here we go with one of the worst drafts in Vikings history:
(Only assigning grades to 1st through 4th rounders as 5-7th are crapshoots)
1.32 S Lewis Cine, Georgia - Cine was done no favors right off the bat when Adofo-Mensah traded down from 12 to 32 with a division rival for pretty much crap value. And then his picks, like Cine, made the trade even worse. The Vikings didn't need a Safety to begin with, and if you wanted one just stay at 12 and take Kyle Hamilton. This isn't even hindsight, it was said at the time. As for Cine himself, he broke his leg playing Special Teams early in his rookie year, then even though he was fully healthy, could barely even dress in year two. Was released on cut down day before last season. Currently on the Eagles PS.
F- when you account for the trade.
2.42 CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson - seen as a first round talent who fell due to injury concerns, and he was injured a lot his rookie year, and then in year 2 couldn't crack new DC Brian Flores' defense and mostly played ST. Traded for a warm body last summer.
F
2.59 G Ed Ingram, LSU - seen as a reach at the time, and he proved the draftniks correct. Started for 2.5 seasons, but was one of the worst Guards in the league. Was mercifully benched half way through last season. Was traded to the Texans for a 6th Rounder back in March.
D-
3.66 LB Brian Asomoah, Oklahoma - I didn't like this pick at the time because Nakobe Dean was still available and he has done nothing but play Special Teams so far. Wouldn't be surprised if he's gone by week 1 whether that be a cut or trade. Either way highly doubt he's on the team in 2026. You expect more from 3rd rounders.
D
4.118 CB Akayleb Evans, Missouri - In and out of the lineup for 2.5 years and then was waived and claimed by Carolina last November. Flashed at times but never put it all together.
D
5.165 DL Esezi Otomewo, Minnesota - Mostly a healthy scratch in year one, cut before year two. Currently with Pittsburgh.
5.169 RB Ty Chandler, North Carolina - Had a couple nice games towards the end of 2023, but ultimately is a JAG. Another guy I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make the team this season.
6.184 OT Vederian Lowe, Illinois - Basically redshirted his rookie year, then was traded for a 6th before the start of 2023. Think he's been average at best for the Pats. At least we got our pick back for him.
6.191 WR Jalen Nailor, Michigan St. - This was the pick I liked the most from the class besides Booth. Dealt with injuries early on, then played mostly special teams but had a bit of a breakout last year with 6 TDs. Has kind of a high drop rate and is probably best suited as WR4, but you'll take this from RD6. It's sad that this is the best pick from this class.
7.227 TE Nick Muse, South Carolina - yo-yo'd on and off the PS for 3 years, eventually signed with the Eagles in January.
Kwesi's first draft class did not go well. Starting with that awful trade down. Got way too cute there. Also went with the Speilman method of quantity over quality, which he seems to have done a complete 180 on recently. Some blame Ed Donatell for the defensive picks, but that doesn't excuse the trade down and Ingram pick. 10 picks including four in the Top 66 and your best player is a 6th round WR3. This is the worst draft class in my 25+ years of following this team. It rivals 2005.
The 2023 class isn't looking much better other than Jordan Addison. Jury's still out on 24 and obviously 25.
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