Latest news with #KwesiAdofo-Mensah
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Vikings land cornerback coming off torn ACL in latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft is months away, but the start of college football season is upon us. With that comes prospects getting their eyes on them, and for fans, it means they get to start learning who their team may draft. The Vikings are coming off a draft with limited picks, but they're now heading into 2026 reloaded. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has shown he can build a roster through free agency, but the draft remains a work in progress. He has improved significantly since his first class in 2022, but 2026 is expected to be a pivotal year. The latest mock draft we get to see before the start of the college season comes from draft analyst Todd McShay. He has the Vikings picking at 18 overall, not by his choice but by Super Bowl odds, and he has them going with defense. The team gets Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, who is one of the best players in this class, but is coming off a torn ACL from a workout in January. Mcshay writes, "McCoy is the most gifted cornerback prospect in the 2026 class—if he returns to full health. His return to practice this week for the first time since tearing his ACL in January is highly encouraging. The Vikings have a bit of a patchwork group at cornerback and will likely be in the market for a young difference maker next offseason." If the Vikings could add McCoy to play opposite Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, this secondary quickly goes from a questionable piece to a major asset. It speaks to how close so many groups on this roster are, and what the power of one pick can do to get this team over the top.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Vikings' Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen have looked the part in practices
The interior defensive line of the Vikings was an issue at times in 2024. While Harrison Phillips was a reliable piece, he needed some help. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah recognized that, and the team went out and signed two bulls who play in the trenches of the defense. Fast forward from free agency to the present, and both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave are making impacts early. In a mailbag piece put together by The Star Tribune's Vikings writers, Mark Craig was asked how the new faces on the defensive line have looked in camp. His answer not only speaks to the success they are having, but also to how high the potential is for the group with their presence. Craig writes, "They've looked outstanding and long overdue to a unit that's been lacking in elite, run-and-pass-defending talent for some time. Even better is they've also looked healthy and available every day a year after both of them missed significant time with injuries. . .Look at the world-champion Eagles and their Mahomes-pounding D-line depth as the template for what the Vikings, and many others, are trying to replicate. . ." The depth along the edge rusher and defensive line positions has been something the Eagles have found success with in their two recent Super Bowl wins. The more depth you have, the easier it is to overwhelm opposing offensive lines, who cannot rotate players in and out. Brian Flores should have a good time utilizing both Hargrave and Allen this year and beyond in the Vikings defense.
USA Today
30-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Vikings' Kevin O'Connell on Isaiah Rodgers absence: 'Little soreness'
The Vikings' secondary had some questions heading into the offseason, but Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did what he usually does. He cooked, and he brought in the underrated and valued, Isaiah Rodgers. The Super Bowl-winning cornerback joins the Vikings coming off the best season of his career and is expected to be the primary outside coverage option for the team. However, Rodgers has missed some time to start training camp, and while it is nothing serious, it is worth monitoring. Sports Illustrated's Will Ragatz spoke to Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and asked him about the health of their new coverage defender. Kevin O'Connell said, 'He just had a little soreness. You'll see him work his way back in here as we go through these next couple days, you'll see him out there a little bit today.' Hearing it is just soreness is always reassuring, but that can also turn into something more if mismanaged. The team will likely take things easy with him, so missing the first preseason game of the year may not be the biggest cause for concern if it happens.
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Minnesota Vikings listed among the most improved teams after NFL offseason
Minnesota Vikings listed among the most improved teams after NFL offseason Since becoming the Vikings' general manager in 2022, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has worked like a man possessed. He made overhauling the roster a top priority, and the team has gone from too much spending to being smart with it and also utilizing the NFL draft to add key players at certain positions. NFL Media recently looked back on the 2025 offseason and which teams made the most improvements. While they highlighted the NFC North basement dwelling Chicago Bears, they also mentioned the Minnesota Vikings after they were very active for a second straight year. They wrote, "Many analysts (including this one) panned Minnesota for the absence of a clear plan under center and a perceived lack of talent heading into what many deemed to be a transitional year in 2024. Boy, were we wrong. Instead, the Vikings won 14 games while looking like a legitimate Super Bowl contender. . .the cast around McCarthy has undoubtedly improved, especially in the trenches, where the Vikings added Ryan Kelly at center. At guard, veteran Will Fries and first-round pick Donovan Jackson are on board, while tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave joined up on D. . ." The interior of the offensive line needed to be revamped after the aforementioned playoff collapse. They were dominated in the trenches by the Rams in their game, resulting in the entire group being replaced. Now, in 2025, with so many new pieces, there may not be a better offensive line in the entire NFL. Add in the skill players they have, as well as the depth they have at running back. This offense, paired with an already top-tier defense, will be a roster ready to contend for a Super Bowl once again.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Minnesota Vikings Extend Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
The Minnesota Vikings have had a very busy offseason, led by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who has spent more money on player contracts this offseason than any other team in the league. Kwesi & Co. used free agency and the draft to filled gaping holes on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines, while adding depth to other positions, like running back and linebacker. They also swapped quarterbacks (again), and talked Harrison Smith into one more year. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, other Minnesota Vikings executives receive contract extensions Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports And now that most of the 2025 offseason moving and grooving is over, the Minnesota Vikings are turning their focus to player development and getting their new team ready for next season, which is the perfect time for the Wilf family to reward Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his front office staff for their hard work, with fresh contract extensions. Advertisement It's not just Kwesi getting a new deal, though. His right-hand men, Ryan Grigson and Demitrius Washington, are getting raises and new job titles (Assistant General Managers), as well. News broke of the Vikings' front office contract extensions Friday morning. Hired during the 2022 offseason, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has taken a lot of heat for the unproductive drafts the Minnesota Vikings have had, since he took over, especially his infamous first class, of 2022, when he drafted Lewis Cine late in the first round, after a lengthy trade-back. Vikings push chips all-in on Kwesi There were whispers behind the scenes earlier this offseason that had insiders around the league wondering who exactly is making the decisions for the Vikings. There were even questions surrounding whether it was Kwesi pulling levers, or new assistant GM, Ryan Grigson. Advertisement Related: MN Vikings Insider Unable to Dig Up Any Dirt on JJ McCarthy Then, Kwesi went home sick during the NFL Draft Combine, leaving head coach Kevin O'Connell to do multiple jobs in Indianapolis (where he flourished). That only added more fuel to Kwesi's rumor fire, after KOC got his extension early this offseason, and Adofo-Mensah was forced to wait.. But all of that seems behind us now. The Wilf family has decided that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is there general manager, both now, and into the future. No matter what growing pains that entails. Is he the right guy for the job, time will tell. Clearly, the Wilfs believe so.
