In this Adopho-Mensahe
On April 28, new General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made his 12th overall pick at the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft. Since the Lions are a divisive rival, the Vikings disperse the spectators by ignoring a simple fact that is obvious in the transaction.
Through direct compensation with the Lions, through the 12th overall pick trade, the Vikings added Lewis Cine (S), Andrew Booth (CB), Ed Ingram (OL), and Brian Asamoah (LB). Lions Jameson Williams (WR) and Josh Paschal (EDGE) landed.
Typically, when a team owns a semi-premium pick, such as the 12th overall selection, the seller – in this case, the Vikings – may specify the terms. The sales team may scold the buyer. Sellers can claim to spoil playful business. The New York Giants did this with the Chicago Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft, pocketing an additional 1st-rounder in next year’s draft.
But the Vikings did not threaten the lions – at all. Adopho-Mensah engaged in a fair trade, which can be expected on regular summer afternoons when draft hysteria Is not Causing a price gauge.
So why didn’t Detroit dominate Minnesota when it came to world trade negotiations?
The answer is simple- There was no quarterback in the 12th overall pickable market. That is the simple truth.
Write it down, save it, use it and remember this blunt-force argument. In recent history, teams that trade up and include a succulent package of draft capital – do this to bring down a franchise quarterback. There were no franchise quarterbacks in the 12th overall pick, at least according to draft scout forecasts.
Kenny was the first quarterback on the Picket Board and he went to the Pittsburgh Steelers at # 20. The lions did not exchange the king’s ransom because there was nothing to exchange For.
It is rare for a team (recently, however) to make a draft capital transaction for a security or wide receiver. Kyle Hamilton (S) and Jameson Williams (WR) were # 12 on the Lions board and they chose Williams. A decade ago, teams like Trent Richardson (RB) and Sammy Watkins (WR) traded handsome packages for men.
Franchisees don’t do that often [any longer]Instead saves their ransom for quarterback.
Adopho-Mensah has chosen to strengthen his depth chart with multiple players. He thinks trading in # 12 was the best way. However, “Mahoms” or “Lawrence” were not available for the other team to crawl on board.
Conversely, Jameson Williams was the target – and the trade market for non-Cubes is not strong. That’s why it’s worrying to use the Giants-Bears analogy to surprise Adopho-Mensah since 2021.
If there was a blue-chip quarterback prospect at the 12th peak, Adopho-Mensah could have asked for more. Was not, so he did not.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to her daily YouTube channel, VikesNow. She Hosts a podcast With Bryant McKinney, which airs every Wednesday Raun Sai And Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking Fandom dates back to 1996. Listed Criminal Pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos’ and The Doors (Band).
