October 3, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle to Harrison Phillips (99) on the sidelines before a game against the Houston Texans at Highmark Stadium. Compulsory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Now that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell’s first draft has been dusted off – if you forget about the transactions and whether they were well worth it, stop worrying about whether they drafted a specific player of your choice. . , And if you take the time to look at the players who drafted them – a pattern emerges.
I certainly see a trend in their selected players. The Minnesota Vikings are looking to get a physical identity.
Some fans may want a new quarterback or another exciting weapon for offense like Jameson Williams. The Minnesota Vikings came up with a mission to fix the defense in the 2022 draft, a unit that performed very poorly last season.
The Vikings will expect Daniel Hunter to be healthy for the entire season and will sign some notable signings from Jaderius Smith, Harrison Phillips and Jordan Hicks. The biggest problem, however, was the secondary, and without Patrick Peterson re-signing. No action was taken on the title of the draft.
It looks like the Vikings planned to address the region in the draft, and so it proved to be. Lewis Cine was selected with 32nd pick, Andrew Booth Jr. with 42nd pick and Akileb Evans with 118th pick. A safety and two cornerbacks have changed the outlook for Vikings Secondary. Much depends on these misdeeds fulfilling their potential, but an area of the team that looks dark at the start of this offseason is now full of potential.
Lewis Cine is a shrewd, Ranji Safety who lands on a tackle like a decaying ball. Andrew Booth has size, athleticism, instinct and ball skills that can go from toe to toe. He also likes a tough, physical angle that helps blow up the screen and help support the run. Akileb Evans is another physically imposing player who delivers imposing strikes while tackling.
When you look at linebacker Brian Asamoah (66 picks) fast, look at the ball-gate-ball linebacker who will deliver a terrific hit – as well as Esegi Otomeo (Pick 165) who is a great physical edge defender – a vision of how this team is being formed begins to form.
Dealing with the Vikings last season was often not of the required standard, so it does not surprise me that the new regime in charge has brought in some people who deal with them as they please. Whether the players are aging, playing with injuries, or not showing the kind of explosions and violence you want from a player in a players tackle, it was a clear problem that new defensive coordinator Ed Donatel quickly solved.
Despite losing to Michael Pierce, the addition of Harrison Phillips means the Vikings are still tough in the middle. Hopefully the perfectly healthy Daniel Hunter and the new addition will turn the Vikings defense into a much tougher proposition on the edge and in the open field, the two cases they really fought last season.
An identity and a philosophy have been created in everything Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has said since becoming Vikings general manager. His first draft saw the Minnesota Vikings create a physical identity. Get ready for some big injuries from the Vikings team this season and a fast, physical and violent brand of football in terms of defense.
Add to that the promise of being an explosive crime, and you have something that any football fan can get behind. I know i can
