Pro Football Focus' free agency rankings continue proving Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is Executive of the Year
The Minnesota Vikings are continuing to exceed expectations each week. They are 11-2 on the season with their only losses by two to the Detroit Lions and by 10 to the Los Angeles Rams four days later. Getting to that place hasn't been the easiest road either. The Vikings were expected to be one of […]
The Minnesota Vikings are continuing to exceed expectations each week. They are 11-2 on the season with their only losses by two to the Detroit Lions and by 10 to the Los Angeles Rams four days later.
Getting to that place hasn't been the easiest road either. The Vikings were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL with an expected win total of 6.5 wins at most sportsbooks. They exceeded that in week ten against the Jacksonville Jaguars and haven't looked back and are just half a game in the standings from earning a playoff spot.
Free agency should propel Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to Executive of the Year
The moves made by the Vikings during the offseason were remarkable. They brought in quarterback Sam Darnold on the cheap for just $10 million, found three really talented starters on the front seven who have been tremendous assets and fortified their depth across the board.
After week 14, Pro Football Focus ranked their top 20 free agent signings and the Vikings had two of them, both in the top 10.
1. Sam Darnold
When the Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million deal this offseason, few viewed him as anything more than a temporary starter — a placeholder until J.J. McCarthy would take the reins. Instead, Darnold has finally played like the top-flight quarterback prospect that some never gave up on. Among qualifying quarterbacks, Darnold ranks fifth in PFF passing grade (84.4), sixth in PFF overall grade (86.4), second in big-time throw rate (6.9%) and fifth in wins above replacement (2.50). Darnold’s play is one of the foremost reasons the Vikings sit at 11-2 and as a legitimate contender in a year where many expected a rebuild.
8. Jonathan Greenard
After a breakout 2023, Greenard has been arguably even better in 2024 in Minnesota. He has totaled a second-best 60 pressures to go along with nine sacks, 32 stops and two forced fumbles. Greenard has also compiled PFF pass-rushing and run-defense grades of at least 72.7, but his high missed tackle rate (27.1%) slots him just below Hunter despite equally impressive campaigns.
The free agent signings, along with the midseason trade of Cam Robinson, have set Adofo-Mensah apart from the rest of the league. You could have a conversation about Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman for adding Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the NFL Draft along with signing Zack Baun to a small deal, not to mention signing Saquon Barkley.
However, the Vikings have had better success with their additions, plus finding their "potential" franchise quarterback in J.J. McCarthy.
Will Adofo-Mensah win the award? That remains to be seen. The Most Valuable Player is often a narrative award, as is something like Executive of the Year. Roseman has people gushing over every move he makes, saying things like "Howie does it again." Right now, Adofo-Mensah doesn't have that. Will he get to that point? I believe he can, but it will take some time to build up that kind of cache.
Even if he doesn't win the award, he should.
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