Since hiring general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in 2022, the Minnesota Vikings have had the NFL’s sixth-best winning percentage, mainly with players drafted by his predecessor or other teams. This situation raises an interesting question: Can a team remain successful without relying on the draft?
From 2022 to 2024, the Vikings had 107 starts from players drafted during that time, the second-lowest in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins had even fewer due to league discipline. Adofo-Mensah made up for this by signing strong free agents in 2024, including three Pro Bowlers and 12 starters, helping the Vikings finish the season as the oldest team in the league based on age-weighted snap counts.
However, as Adofo-Mensah looks ahead to his fourth offseason, he faces pressure to improve the team with young talent.
The Vikings have three picks in the 2025 draft and possibly one more through the compensatory system. This puts them in a position to select the second-fewest players among NFL teams from 2022 to 2025. When asked about changes to the draft process, Adofo-Mensah said that the team is always trying to improve and expressed confidence in the team’s growth since his first year as GM.
The Vikings’ coaching staff has been more involved in the draft process, with head coach Kevin O’Connell pushing for certain players. O’Connell played a big role in the selection of receiver Jordan Addison in 2023 and quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2024.
This month, O’Connell received a contract extension shortly after the Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs. Despite this, the team did not make any structural changes, and Adofo-Mensah remains the primary football executive.
Looking back at his 2022 draft, Adofo-Mensah admitted mistakes. First-round pick Lewis Cine was waived, and second-round picks Andrew Booth Jr. and Ed Ingram did not work out as expected. Since 2022, the Vikings have only one impactful player from the draft (Addison) and one consistent contributor (Jalen Nailor).
However, it’s important to consider the context. J.J. McCarthy, a top 2024 pick, missed the season due to a knee injury, and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, also injured, would have been a key player. The Vikings also lost cornerback Khyree Jackson, a promising 2024 pick, in a car accident before training camp. Despite these setbacks, the Vikings are focusing on future improvements.
Dallas Turner came with a lot of hopes
Adofo-Mensah placed a lot of trust in acquiring linebacker Dallas Turner, trading six picks and using a seventh to select him at No. 17 overall last spring. At that point, the Vikings had already signed linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel in free agency.
Both started every game and made the Pro Bowl, while Turner only played 315 defensive snaps (26.8%). In fact, 51 rookies around the league played more than he did.
Turner spoke about adjusting to the veteran locker room, saying, “My job was just be a rookie and be a sponge.” When he did get a chance to play, he recorded 17 tackles, three sacks, and eight pressures.
Given the heavy investment to acquire him, more immediate results were expected, but defensive coordinator Brian Flores compared Turner to Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, who was a first-round pick in 2011 but didn’t start until his third season.
Adofo-Mensah, speaking more generally, commented on the desire for instant results in today’s world, saying, “That’s not how the good teams are built. They address wants before they are wants. You try and find unique opportunities when you can.”
Since hiring Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings have had successful seasons with 13 and 14 wins. They’ve added key free agents and made good trades, but it’s hard to maintain success with players from other teams.
For comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs have gotten 286 starts from players drafted between 2022 and 2024, more than double the Vikings’ total. The Chiefs are heading to their fifth Super Bowl in six years. While there are many ways to build a successful team, the Vikings have a tough road ahead if they want to match a draft-focused strategy like the Chiefs’.
