Kwesi's Tumoral

[ArizonaViking]

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s haters just got handed a fresh talking point
Story by Adam Patrick • 2h •


Despite the fact that the Minnesota Vikings just rewarded Kwesi Adofo-Mensah with a contract extension earlier this year, some would still like the team to move on from their current general manager after the 2025 season.

One of the biggest reasons why some Vikings fans are unhappy with Adofo-Mensah as the team's general manager has to do with the poor track record he's had with the selections he's made in the NFL Draft.

Well, the Minnesota general manager's critics are only about to get louder after zero members of the team's 2025 rookie class were among those selected by ESPN as part of their 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team.

Sure, people are probably just standing in shock that Vikings rookie quarterback Max Brosmer wasn't one of the players selected, but finishing with three net passing yards in a game doesn't actually take as much talent to do as one might assume.

Drafting well continues to be the Kryptonite of Minnesota Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
Minnesota only made five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but it's still disappointing that none of them were selected to ESPN's All-Rookie Team.

Of the five players the Vikings drafted in 2025, an argument could definitely be made for rookie left guard Donovan Jackson. Instead of Jackson, ESPN selected Grey Zabel of the Seattle Seahawks as the left guard on its All-Rookie First Team and Cincinnati Bengals rookie left guard Dylan Fairchild on their All-Rookie Second Team.

Compared to Zabel and Fairchild this season, Jackson has a higher PFF offensive grade, run-blocking grade, and pass-blocking grade than Zabel and a higher run-blocking grade than Fairchild. So, if anything, it could be argued that Minnesota's rookie left guard has played as well in 2025, if not better, than Zabel.

Despite Jackson's solid performance, the rest of the Vikings' 2025 rookie class has left plenty to be desired this season.

Minnesota rookie wide receiver Tai Felton (third-round pick, 102nd overall) has been mostly a gunner on special teams this year, as he only has three catches for 25 yards in 16 appearances.

Vikings rookie defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (fifth-round pick, 139th overall) has had some notable moments, but he's only appeared in 28 percent of the defense's snaps this season.

Those are the only three players from Minnesota's 2025 draft class that have even appeared in at least one matchup this season, as neither of the team's two selections in the sixth round, linebacker Kobe King and tight end Gavin Bartholomew, have been on the field for a single snap this year.

It's fair to believe that Jackson got snubbed from ESPN's 2025 All-Rookie Team, but it's also fair to believe that Adofo-Mensah didn't deliver, once again, with the majority of the Vikings' draft picks he made earlier this year.

This article was originally published on thevikingage.com as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s haters just got handed a fresh talking point.


Sponsored
The Viking Age

[MaroonBells]

What? The Vikings had one pick in the top 100 and he didn't make the All Rookie Team? For shame.

[pattersaur]

Tai Felton earned the even more prestigious, Chaz Surratt What Were They Thinking Award

[medaille]

I don’t know what this dude is smoking. Donovan Jackson is a very quality starter, and you don’t really expect 3rd round picks to be immediate contributors, and Tai Felton was brought in to replace Addison/Nailor when one or both of them leave or back them up when injured (which they’ve all been healthy). Everyone knows you can’t judge a draft after year 1.

I still maintain that the damning of Kwesi isn’t the picks he’s selected, it’s that he’s traded all the picks away. Even though I agree with a decent chunk of the trades, it cuts into the production from drafted players.

I think sometime next year, the Kwesi sucks at drafting narrative is going to collapse after we can’t pretend that Addison, JJM, Turner, Jackson weren’t pretty good picks. We’re kind of already there, as you’ve seen a bit of a shift in the narrative as people are now more saying things like Kwesi can’t draft rounds 2-4 well.

[StickierBuns]

lol, just pure stupidity. These fans that get some stories put up on FanSided can't be more goofy. That's the Internet now, especially X, 26 year olds with takes....being responded to by other 25 year olds that perpetuate the views and clicks. Idiocracy indeed online.

[MaroonBells]

I don’t know what this dude is smoking.  Donovan Jackson is a very quality starter, and you don’t really expect 3rd round picks to be immediate contributors, and Tai Felton was brought in to replace Addison/Nailor when one or both of them leave or back them up when injured (which they’ve all been healthy).  Everyone knows you can’t judge a draft after year 1.

I still maintain that the damning of Kwesi isn’t the picks he’s selected, it’s that he’s traded all the picks away.  Even though I agree with a decent chunk of the trades, it cuts into the production from drafted players.

I think sometime next year, the Kwesi sucks at drafting narrative is going to collapse after we can’t pretend that Addison, JJM, Turner, Jackson weren’t pretty good picks.  We’re kind of already there, as you’ve seen a bit of a shift in the narrative as people are now more saying things like Kwesi can’t draft rounds 2-4 well.

It's been 4 years since the 2022 draft—his only objectively "bad" draft. And it's actually no longer the worst draft in our history now that Ingram is playing well and Nailor is contributing. That prize now goes to 2016. We got nothing from that draft.

[supafreak84]

It's been 4 years since the 2022 draft—his only objectively "bad" draft. And it's actually no longer the worst draft in our history now that Ingram is playing well and Nailor is contributing. That prize now goes to 2016. We got nothing from that draft.

I still think it's he worst draft when you take into consideration other factors besides the actual players selected. Shitty draft compensation in awful tradedowns with division rivals that emphatically won those moves is a bad look. Nevermind the fact that we passed on some really good players to trade down into the cellar of round one for Lewis F'n Cine. There's no objective about it, that 2022 draft was a shit sandwich supreme. 

The problems with Kwesi are multi layered, with one of the main issues is he struggles identifying talent after the first round. While other teams are hitting on the Puka Nacua's in the mid rounds, what does Mensah have to show in terms of starters or major contributors from the draft after four years? Reichard? I mean, we are going into year five and the best players on this roster are STILL guys Spielman drafted lol! Zero pro bowl players this year. Zero all rookie team selections. I mean, people can try to wax poetic on Mensah all they want but the proof is just overwhelmingly bad.

[MaroonBells]

I still think it's he worst draft when you take into consideration other factors besides the actual players selected. Shitty draft compensation in awful tradedowns with division rivals that emphatically won those moves is a bad look. Nevermind the fact that we passed on some really good players to trade down into the cellar of round one for Lewis F'n Cine. There's no objective about it, that 2022 draft was a shit sandwich supreme. 

The problems with Kwesi are multi layered, with one of the main issues is he struggles identifying talent after the first round. While other teams are hitting on the Puka Nacua's in the mid rounds, what does Mensah have to show in terms of starters or major contributors from the draft after four years? Reichard? I mean, we are going into year five and the best players on this roster are STILL guys Spielman drafted lol! Zero pro bowl players this year. Zero all rookie team selections. I mean, people can try to wax poetic on Mensah all they want but the proof is just overwhelmingly bad.

In CONTEXT with other NFL teams and the Vikings own draft history, it isn't nearly as bad as you think. Seriously, go here and check out our last 10 drafts and tell me where all these great players are that we drafted before Kwesi came on board. 

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/t.../draft.htm

2025
5 picks, 1 hit 20%
I think we can safely say that Jackson is a hit. He started every game and has looked solid. 

2024
7 picks, 2 hits 28%
Too early on McCarthy and LDR, but I think we can safely say that Turner and Reichard have futures. One could argue that Turner hasn't produced given what we gave up for him. Fair, but that's a different argument. This number could go way up if McCarthy turns out. 

2023
6 picks, 1 hit 17%
Addison
Mekhi Blackmon started 9 games for the Colts this year. Not the scouts fault for moving him. Still, can't be considered a hit. 

2022
10 picks, 1 hit 10%
Ingram. Worst draft since 2016. But Ingram is now a top 10 guard for Houston. Not the scouting team's fault for moving him. 
Jalen Nailor was a solid pick in the 6th, but he's not a starter, so not a hit. 

2021
11 picks, 2 hits. 18%
Darrisaw, Bynum
Pat Jones gets an honorable mention. Not a starter so not a hit, but a solid contributor. Nothing else in this draft. 

2020
15 picks, 3 hits. 20%
Jefferson, Cleveland, Metellus
Cleveland is starting in Jax. Again, can't blame the scouts for moving him. 
Brandel also gets a mention here since he's a valuable contributor. Not a starter though. 
Nothing else in this draft. 

2019
12 picks, 1 hit 8%
Bradbury and 11 pieces of shit. People hated GB and called him a bust, but he gets the hit because he was a full time starter and actually got a 2nd contract. Starting now in New England. 

2018
7 picks, 3 hit 42%
O’Neill, Conklin, Carlson
Good draft. Conklin wasn't a starter for us, but became one with the Jets. Carlson was cut, but again can't blame the scout team for moving him. 

2017
11 picks, 1 hit 9%
Cook...and 10 pieces of crap

2016
8 picks, 0 hits 0%
Worst draft in Vikings history

And if you think this is a slam on Spielman, it's not. Rick was one of the better drafting GMs in the NFL. It's a slam on the actual draft, where getting one good player is the NFL average, two good players is a good draft and three is outstanding.

[JR44]

All 4 of his drafts have been awful not just 2022. 4 years later and the best players on the team are still Spielman picks.

[kmillard]

All 4 of his drafts have been awful not just 2022.  4 years later and the best players on the team are still Spielman picks.

That is sad but true going into year 5.