With Kwesi-Adofo Mensah preparing to lead his first draft as a general manager this Thursday, what he and the Vikings will do is the subject of fevered speculation. But was it possible to glean anything – any hints at all – from the press conference he held Tuesday?
It’s likely minimal if anything, but Adofo-Mensah suggested there’s a player he values more than anyone in the NFL, while giving a thoughtful answer to players with alleged “character concerns.” He also made it very clear that the Vikings will be ready to trade out of the No. 12 pick if the right opportunity presents itself.
“There’s somebody, that I sat in a dark room, that I see better value than anybody else in the NFL and hopefully that person will be there at the right particular value,” Adofo-Mensah said, when asked about the depth of cornerbacks in the draft.
It’s impossible to tell if he was actually talking about cornerbacks or just the draft in general, but there’s a player out there who he really loves, apparently more than everyone else in the league.
When asked how he rates players with perceived character concerns, he clearly emphasized that young men entering the NFL Draft aren’t perfect. His quote:
“You’re talking about human beings, 21, 22 years old. We’re not perfect when we come out. I know I wasn’t perfect coming out as a 21-year-old. Far from it. We’re just trying to find out if they can operate in a professional environment, and they’re going to try to be the best they can be as an NFL player and then also represent the organization well. That looks different. If you look in our building there’s a lot of past histories that end up being the players that they are today.”
It’s impossible to say if he’s got his eye on a player with character concerns, but he’s definitely set the stage to soften the blow if he makes such a choice.
Minnesota could wind up being the perfect trade partner for QB-needy teams hoping to move up. Perhaps the Steelers or Saints will want to pounce if Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett or a different quarterback falls to 12. If the right value offer is made, Adofo-Mensah will be prepared to trade.
“We’re always calling teams and getting their thoughts,” he said. “Every GM’s involved and we’ve had some great conversations, the’ve had some great conversations with us. Ultimately, we’re ready to do whatever is presented to us. If we stand to pick at 12 we’re going to do it and we’re going to do it the best that we can for this organization, and if it’s not that we’ll do something different,” Adofo-Mensah said.
“The draft is an auction,” he added. “All it takes is one person to see that value. All these things that happened beforehand and all these things that get said, there is somebody sitting in a building right now who thinks that player is going to be the next great player. That person might want to trade up for that player, and ultimately we’ll find that out on Thursday, Friday or Saturday and we’ll be ready for it when it does.”
More NFL Draft coverage from Bring Me The Sports and Purple Insider
A closer look at the top receivers the Vikings could target in the draft
Can the Vikings hack the draft?
Making draft predictions for the Vikings
What should and shouldn’t be off the table for the Vikings in the draft
Who will be available when the Vikings are on the clock?
Are any of the QBs in the draft worth taking?
Should the Vikings be all in on Derek Stingley Jr.?
The Vikings can now take the best available player in the draft
