Giving up draft capital can be tough, but doing it while getting a franchise quarterback and a defensive leader at edge could be worth it. That’s the gamble the Minnesota Vikings took this year. Nothing in the draft is a sure thing, however, and therein lies the problem.
For the Vikings, but their rival executives seem to think it cost too much.
In a piece for The Athletic, Mike Sando interviewed front office members from all 16 NFC teams. One team they were critical of was the Minnesota Vikings.
“I can buy trading some future picks if you are going to be contending …” said one executive, “… you are going to get a potential starter. But the Vikings are not even close to contending. What they did, or even what the Bears did in giving up a (2025) fourth (for a fifth-rounder this year), I would not be doing that if I were those teams.”
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has gone all in on this Vikings team. They have just three selections in next year’s draft, which does include a first-rounder; however, not having to worry about two major positions is a plus.