Adam Thilen, Dalvin Cook and Irv Smith Jr.
The Minnesota Vikings have added key defense personnel over the past few years through free agency to start the game, but the offensive side of the enterprise is largely indigenous.
In fact, almost half of the defensive starters were not made by Minnesota – Jordan Hicks, Patrick Peterson, Harrison Phillips, J’Darius Smith, Chandon Sullivan and Dalvin Tomlinson.
Take a look at the crime depth chart, though, and the system is significantly different. In fact, according to estimates from the Spring Depth Chart, Kirk Cousins is the only outsider in the group to be drafted elsewhere.
The Vikings started aggressively
(Position: Player: Draft-Team: Round)
QB: Cork cousin (WAS, R4)
Arabic: Dalvin Cook (MINR2)
Arabic: Alexander Mattison (MINR3)
WR: Justin Jefferson (MINR1)
WR: Adam Thilen (MINUDFA)
WR: KJ Osborn (MINR5)
TE: Arv Smith Jr. (MINR2)
LT: Christian Darius (MINR1)
LG: Ezra Cleveland (MINR2)
C: Garrett Bradberry (MINR1)
RG: Ed Ingram (MINR2)
RT: Brian O’Neill (MINR2)
FB: CJ Ham (MINUDFA)
While the defense of free-agent names drafted by other parties is not a bad thing – just as other NFL teams show off non-organic starters in crime, the Vikings trend is somewhat unique.
The Buffalo Bill will introduce five non-organically-draft players for crime in 2022. The Arizona Cardinals will be about eight. That’s four for the Cleveland Browns. And the Chicago Bears will also start with about four people.
Minnesota is not the only group that has indigenous crime, but this trend could be the source of lineage scouting and subsequent drafting practices. Somehow in a defensive era of football led by Mike Zimmer for eight years, former general manager Rick Spielman was able to create an initial offensive lineup through the draft – now given a rubberstamp by two newcomers to the QC Adopho-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell.
On the other hand, a lawsuit could be filed for the Vikings to look beyond its draft walls to fix the team’s weaknesses. For example, in the last eight seasons, Minnesota has had the following pass defenses: Pro football focus:
- 2014 = 23rd
- 2015 = 28th
- 2016 = 30th
- 2017 = 17th
- 2018 = 27th
- 2019 = 27th
- 2020 = 29th
- 2021 = 27th
The most intelligent Vikings enthusiasts will trade with multiple homegrown players to pull those OL issues from Hades to Honor. In other words, perhaps the offensive line Need Repeatedly some outside talent instead of organically drafted players. The Vikings’ draft prudence in selecting skilled pass defenders has failed over the past decade, and the evidence is overwhelming.
Takeaway? If the Vikings make an offensive player – past or present – then they will start, as evidenced by the current depth chart, especially in contrast to the starting defensive staff.
Furthermore, the feature will be worth a look as more drafts are handled by Adopho-Mensah with Spielman in the rearview.
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).
