That 2022 Vikings Draft

The Minnesota Vikings selected 10 players in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

1. Lewis Cine, S, Georgia

2. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

2. Ed Ingram, G, LSU

3. Brian Asamoah II, LB, Oklahoma

4. Akayleb Evans, CB, Missouri

5. Esezi Otomewo, DL, Minnesota

5. Ty Chandler, RB, North

6. Vederian Lowe, OT, Illinois

6. Jalen Nailor, WR, Michigan State

7. Nick Muse, TE, South Carolina

This was the first draft of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Kevin O’Connell coaching staff. At the time, I was thrilled with this draft. I was a little unsure of Adofo-Mensah’s move to drop 20 spots in the first round in a trade with the Detroit Lions. Many liked Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton with the 12th pick that the Vikings held. Personally, I was partial to Washington corner Trent McDuffie in the first round. Either pick would’ve been a better pick than Lewis Cine. Three trades in the first two rounds netted the Vikings one extra pick. Despite the questionable early movement, I liked the end results. At least, I liked the end results at the time. I really thought that Cine, Andrew Booth, Brian Asamoah II, Akayleb Evans, and Esezi Otomewo were the young additions the defense desperately needed. Ed Ingram was an immediate starter at right guard. Ty Chandler, Jalen Nailor, and Nick Muse were intriguing offensive play-makers. Vederian Lowe looked like a promising late-round offensive lineman. I’m typically optimistic and I thought this draft was filled with potential. 

Those hopeful thoughts didn’t last long. 

1. Lewis Cine never recovered from the brutal broken leg suffered while covering a Week 4 kick against the New Orleans Saints in London. It was an injury so severe that he couldn’t travel home with the team. He spent his 23rd birthday in a London hospital while his team practiced for Week 5 in Eagan. Cine played in 10 games with the Vikings over two seasons.

2. Andrew Booth Jr. was traded to the Dallas Cowboys after two seasons and two starts in Minnesota.

2. If one is looking at starts, Ed Ingram was, by far, the most productive of the Vikings 2022 draft picks. He had 41 starts over three seasons in Minnesota. After three years of wildly inconsistent play the Vikings traded him to the Houston Texans. 

3. Brian Asamoah II had a few flash plays as a rookie in a backup linebacker role. He felt like an emerging player heading into his second season. That stalled with a training camp injury and the emergence of undrafted rookie Ivan Pace Jr. Asamoah stuck on the roster for three seasons with little more than a special teams role. 

4. Pretty much from the start, Akayleb Evans looked like a more promising corner than Andrew Booth Jr. He even claimed a starting role in his second season. It didn’t last long as he was off the roster in his third season. 

5. Esezi Otomewo made a few plays toward the end of his rookie season. He didn’t have a second season in Minnesota. 

5. Ty Chandler was mostly a special teams player and situational runner over the entirety of his contract with the Vikings. His most shining moments came during his second season with four starts and a 100-yard game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

6. Vederian Lowe was traded to the New England Patriots before his second season with the Vikings.

6. Jalen Nailor may have been the best pick of this draft. After battling a series of injuries in his first couple of seasons, he emerged as an impactful third receiver. His departure in the first wave of free agency last week was both disappointing and expected. 

7. For three seasons with the Vikings, Nick Muse had a mostly yo-yo existence between the practice squad and the active roster. After being released late in the 2024 season, Muse was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles just in time for a Super Bowl-winning run. 

10 players drafted by the Vikings. 0 players signed to a second contract by the Vikings. Only Ty Chandler and Jalen Nailor even made it to the end of their rookie contract with the Vikings. Nailor and Ed Ingram received decent to strong second contracts with the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans respectively. Brian Asamoah II, Akayleb Evans, Esezi Otomewo, Ty Chandler, and Vederian Lowe are making their way in the league with other teams. Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr. are out of the league. Again, the Vikings top two picks in the 2022 NFL Draft are no longer in the league. 

Heading into the fifth season since that 2022 NFL Draft, the 10 players selected are no longer on the Minnesota Vikings roster. Only Ed Ingram, Ty Chandler, and Jalen Nailor made anything that can be considered a contribution. The 10 players combined for 82 starts. 82 starts! That’s an average of just over two starts per season for each player. Ingram had half of those 82 starts. Nailor was the only player even remotely deserving of a second contract. The Vikings decided they couldn’t match what the Raiders were offering. 

That 2022 Vikings draft is a draft that can’t ever be repeated. 

Favorite Football Flicks

This post was originally posted prior to the Academy Awards in 2018. It's been re-posted on several occasion since. Basically, it's been re-posted every time football flicks have been on my mind. These are very strange times. Times that call for a football flick. Here are 21 of my favorites. 

21. The Waterboy (1998)

A guilty pleasure movie. The football action is outrageous. 

20. Semi-Tough (1977)
A new addition to the list. Dan Jenkins' book is far more entertaining than the movie but the movie is still fun. Plus, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp is in it. He plays a quarterback named Hose. Gotta love it. 

19. Leatherheads (2008)

This movie depicting the very early days of professional football would probably be higher on the list if I hadn't entered into it with such high hopes. It's an entertaining movie but probably one that I need to see again.

18. The Express (2008) 

The tragic story of Ernie Davis. It might be higher if not for some liberties taken with the accuracy of those times. Like Art Modell being the Browns owner in the 1950s.

17. Invincible (2006)

The improbable football career of NFL-walk-on Vince Papale. Who doesn't love an underdog story like this?

16. All The Right Moves (1983)

The most amazing thing about this movie is Tom Cruise playing cornerback. 

15. Rudy (1993)
Some people love this movie. Others hate it. I guess that I'm somewhere in the middle in liking it. 

14. When The Game Stands Tall (2015)

You just knew that someone was going to make a movie about the incredible story of coach Bob Ladouceur and the De La Salle High Spartans. This was a nicely done look at the season that saw the loss that ended their 151-game win streak as well as the win that was arguably the greatest in school history. 

13. We Are Marshall (2006)

The remarkable rise of a town, a university, and a football team from a devastating plane crash. A great story. 

12. Any Given Sunday (1999)

Oliver Stone with a football movie? Never would have pegged that pairing. 

11. The Longest Yard (1974)

It's a classic. And Joe Kapp's in it. And Ray Nitschke. 

10. The Program (1993)

Despite being a fictional story it probably touches frighteningly close to the truth.

9.  Draft Day (2014)

Some of the trades are ridiculous but it's a very entertaining look at the greatest non-playing day on the football calendar. 

8.  Brian's Song (1971)

This one set the bar for tear-jerker football movies. Great story. Memorable performances. 

7.  Knute Rockne: All-American

A timeless look at one of football's great coaches. 

6.  Everybody's All-American (1988) 

Adapted from the terrific book by Frank Deford. A great but depressing movie. 

5.  Paper Lion (1968)

Another movie adapted from a terrific book. Alan Alda is excellent as George Plimpton. So excellent that I often picture Alda when I think of Plimpton. 

4.  Heaven Can Wait (1978)

A fine remake of Here Come's Mr. Jordan (1941) with a football spin. There was a time, a long time ago, when this was my favorite movie of any genre. 

3.  Undefeated (2011)

This is probably the only football movie to take home an Academy Award. It won for Best Documentary. A great story. A great movie. 

2.  Remember The Titans (2000) 

Great movie. Entertaining movie. You have Denzel Washington but you also have unknown youngsters like Ryan Gosling, Donald Faison, and Hayden Panettiere. 

1.  Friday Night Lights (2006)

Buzz Bissinger's book was outstanding. The movie was good but Friday Night Lights earns the top spot on this list because of the unbelievable television series. They may have lost some traction in the second season but they regained it in the third and never lost it again. This series was one of the best things that I've ever seen on television.

Another Mock Draft

Yesterday, the Denver Broncos overpaid the Miami Dolphins for receiver Jaylen Waddle. In exchange for the receiver, the Broncos sent a first-, a third-, and a fourth-round pick to the Dolphins. That’s a lot of picks for one little receiver. To help offset the overpay a bit, the Broncos do get a fourth-round pick back from the Dolphins. There are, once again, five teams with two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

New York Jets: 2,16

Cleveland Browns: 6,24

Kansas City Chiefs: 9,29

Miami Dolphins: 11,30

Dallas Cowboys: 12,20

About a week ago, the Las Vegas Raiders were one of the five team with two first-round picks. Then, the Maxx Crosby trade fell through. Now, that fifth team is the Dolphins. Despite the overpay, I doubt the Broncos will get cold feet will follow the Ravens and renege on the deal. 

Now, there’s a need for another mock draft. 

1.   Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2.   New York Jets: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State

3.   Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

4.   Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

5.   New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

6.   Cleveland Browns: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

7.   Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

8.   New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami 

9.   Kansas City Chiefs: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

16. New York Jets (from Colts): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

19. Carolina Panthers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers): Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

25. Chicago Bears: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

26. Buffalo Bills: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

28. Houston Texans: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

30. Miami Dolphins: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

31. New England Patriots: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

32. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Until the next one. 

Top Remaining Free Agents

After a furious first few days of free agency, signings have slowed considerably. After that first wave, the next wave looks to be more like a trickle. Here are some of the best available free agents.

Top Remaining Free Agents

1.   Juaun Jennings, WR

2.   L’Jarius Sneed, CB

3.   Tyreek Hill, WR

4.   Kirk Cousins, QB

5.   Taylor Decker, OT

6.   Deebo Samuel, WR

7.   David Njoku, TE

8.   Kyle Dugger, S

9.   A.J. Epenesa, DL

10. Wyatt Teller, G

11. Cameron Jordan, Edge

12. D.J. Reader, DL

13. Joey Bosa, Edge

14. Jonnu Smith, TE

15. Hollywood Brown, WR

16. Stefon Diggs, WR

17. Trevon Diggs, CB

18. Bobby Okereke, LB

19. Calais Campbell, DL

20. Joel Bitonio, G

21. Jadeveon Clowney, Edge

22. Haason Reddick, Edge

23. Brian Robinson Jr., RB

24. Kevin Zeitler, G

25. Darren Waller, TE

26.. Kyle Van Noy, Edge

27. Lloyd Cushenberry, C

28. Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge

29. Logan Wilson, LB

30. Kenneth Murray, LB

Some bargains can be found. 

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Monday

It’s Monday and the start of a new week closer to the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s another Minnesota Vikings mock draft. With last week’s announcement of the compensatory picks, we finally know the draft picks that the Vikings hold.

Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks

1. #18

2. #49

3. #82

3. #97 - compensatory

5. #163 - from Philadelphia Eagles 

6. #196 - from Indianapolis Colts

7. #234 

7. #235 - from Carolina Panthers

7. #244 - from Houston Texans

Another Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft

1. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

2. A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

3. Connor Lew, C, Auburn

3. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

5. Zane Durant, DL, Penn State 

6. John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming

7. Kade Wetjen, WR, Iowa

7. Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson

7. Brett Thorson, P, Georgia

I can’t seem to fit a linebacker into very many of these damn mock drafts. It’s become a pattern. With every mock attempted, I try to find the following positions.

Cornerback

Safety

Center 

Running Back

Defensive Lineman

Linebacker

Receiver

Tight End

With nine picks, it should be easy to address eight positions. I can’t seem to do it. In this draft, I failed to find a linebacker. As often as linebacker, the missing position is tight end. I guess there’s never enough picks to address every position. 

It’s early and I’ve already fallen for several players in the 2026 Draft.

Dillion Thieneman, S Oregon

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech

Gracen Halton, DL, Oklahoma

Kaleb Proctor, DL, Southeastern Louisiana 

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

Connor Lew, C, Auburn

Logan Jones, C, Iowa

Brian Parker II, C, Duke

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa

I wish that I could jam all of the above players into a Vikings draft.

A Vikings Offense

With only two outside signings, the Minnesota Vikings haven’t been active in free agency. One of those signings was quarterback Kyler Murray. Signing a former #1 pick quarterback with unique and elite talents is a significant addition. Despite a stated competition with incumbent J.J. McCarthy, Murray is penciled in as the Vikings starting quarterback in 2026. Picturing Kyler Murray in the Vikings offense has been fun. Here’s a look at the potential offense. 

Vikings Offense

WR	Justin Jefferson
LT	Christian Darrisaw
LG	Donovan Jackson
C	Blake Brandel
RG	Will Fries
RT	Brian O’Neill
TE	T.J. Hockenson
WR	Jordan Addison
QB	Kyler Murray
RB	Aaron Jones
TE	Josh Oliver

The Vikings have rostered a fullback since 1961. With C.J. Ham retiring, it’ll be interesting to see if that continues. Until that question is answered, I’m listing second tight end Josh Oliver in place of a fullback. With or without a fullback, the Vikings often play with two tight ends. As for three-receiver sets, the Vikings lost #3 Jalen Nailor to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. 2025 third-round pick Tai Felton is the next receiver up. 

On paper, this Vikings offense looks exciting and explosive. None of that will happen if the offensive line injuries and inconsistencies of last season creep into this season. If the five starters play together for, hopefully, the entire season, this offense is going to shred defenses. For now, Blake Brandel is a placeholder at the center position. I’m expecting the Vikings to find their center of the present and the future on Day 2 of the draft. Brandel can potentially back up all five positions. It isn’t glamorous but that could be his greatest value too the team. 

Other than center, the Vikings offensive starters already feel settled. That doesn’t mean there aren’t needs. I can see a receiver being added in free agency. Otherwise, supplemental additions will be found in the draft. The offensive draft needs:

Running Back

Tight End

Wide Receiver

Offensive Line depth - potentially an eventual heir to Brian O’Neill at right tackle

Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason form a nice 1-2 combination at running back. Jones is 31. I expect the Vikings to search for their next running back on Day 2 of the draft. They have three Day 2 picks. I’m already penciling in center and running back for two of those three picks. I sure hope the draft falls their way. The Vikings tight end situation is near identical to their running back situation. T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are a nice 1-2. The coming season is probably Hockenson’s last in Minnesota. Their next tight end could be found on Day 3 of the draft. 

I still have faith in J.J. McCarthy. Despite that faith, I’m really looking forward to seeing Kyler Murray lead this offense in 2026. Then, the Vikings will have a decision to make this time next year. 

Remaining Minnesota Vikings Free Agency

Through two days of “legal tampering” and three days of actual free agency, the Minnesota Vikings have signed two players.

James Pierre, CB

Kyler Murray, QB

Other than the fireworks of signing a quarterback of Kyler Murray’s stature, it’s been a pretty quiet few days in Minnesota. It was mostly expected. The Vikings didn’t have a lot of cap space. They even had to shed and massage contracts to get to the limited cap space that they do have. They also had to luck into a league-minimum $1.3 million contract for their splashy quarterback signing. If the Vikings had to pay Murray’s market-rate contract, it wouldn’t happen. Through five days of free agency, the Vikings have handed out something like $7 million in guaranteed money. They passed that mark in past years before the first day of tampering was done. 

Again, this wasn’t expected to be an active free agency for the Vikings. It wasn’t because of a lack of needs. They have plenty of needs. Most are going to be addressed in the draft. The Vikings must reverse their recent draft woes. Those woes resulted in a reliance on free agency. That’s an expensive way to exist in the NFL. The roster isn’t peppered with young, home-grown talent. That’s the main reason Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is working in San Francisco and no longer directing drafts in Minnesota. Still, there are a few needs that should be addressed in the remaining days of free agency. Here are some that I see,

QB3

WR3

Safety

Defensive Line

Head coach Kevin O’Connell and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski have both mentioned the need to create the strongest quarterback room possible. That’s a good strategy. Even after signing Kyler Murray to “compete” with J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings need a very capable #3. No more trotting out an ill-prepared Jaren Hall or Max Brosmer for must-win regular season games. Or any regular season games. With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the top of the receiver group is outstanding. Jalen Nailor’s departure opened the need for a third receiver. Perhaps, last year’s third-round pick Tai Felton makes that role his own. Even if that happens, the Vikings need some quality depth. A couple years ago, safety was a strength in both quality and quantity. Cam Bynum departed last offseason. Harrison Smith may or may not retire this offseason. I can’t imagine a Vikings defense without #22. I don’t want to see a Vikings defense without #22. Whether he returns or retires, the position is in transition. I expect safety to be addressed in the first couple rounds of the draft. It’d be nice to add a veteran in free agency. As for defensive line, the Vikings currently roster a very young and intriguing collection of undrafted, underrated, unheralded football players. I’m so taken by this group that, despite their unheralded status, I’d rather see the Vikings add to the group than replace them. A veteran addition could help. So, with those positions in mind, here are some of the players I wouldn’t mind seeing the Vikings sign. 

Carson Wentz, QB

Juaun Jennings/Christian Kirk, WR

Kyle Dugger, S

AJ Epenesa, DL

The league-wide free agent activity of the first week has left slim pickings. With what’s left, those players stand out. I’d like to see Carson Wentz re-signed. A quarterback room of Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, and Carson Wentz would make it easier to sleep at night. The most pricey of the above is probably Juaun Jennings. I’m actually surprised that he’s still available. Perhaps his demands are higher than the Vikings, and other teams, can or are willing to pay. Christian Kirk is perhaps a cheaper alternative that knows Murray well. I’ve been a fan of Kyle Dugger since the 2020 pre-draft process. He played the last half of the past season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. New Vikings secondary coach Gerald Alexander coached the Steelers defensive backs last season. Alexander should know if Dugger can add something to the Vikings defense. AJ Epenesa was a sold defensive presence for the Buffalo Bills and could be a very good rotational player on the Vikings defensive line. 

I believe that the above signings would set the Vikings up nicely for the draft. That should be the purpose of free agency. Fill some holes in free agency. Fill the roster with young, strong draft picks.