Vikings draft trade already looks like a massive victory
The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2023 NFL Draft with just five picks at their disposal. Thanks to general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s wheeling and dealing, Minnesota left the draft with six talented rookies. The Vikings landed one of the draft’s premier wide receivers with first-round pick Jordan Addison, but the most impressive move came in Day […]
The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2023 NFL Draft with just five picks at their disposal. Thanks to general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s wheeling and dealing, Minnesota left the draft with six talented rookies.
The Vikings landed one of the draft’s premier wide receivers with first-round pick Jordan Addison, but the most impressive move came in Day 2 in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers.
Adofo-Mensah was able to trade Minnesota’s No. 87 overall pick to his former employer in San Francisco in exchange for three 49ers selections (102,164,222). While the winner of this trade will be decided in the next few seasons, the Vikings sure seem to come out with the better end of this particular deal.
Vikings Receive:
- CB Mekhi Blackmon
- QB Jaren Hall
- RB DeWayne McBride
49ers Receive:
- S Ji’Ayir Brown
The Vikings come away with two players who could potentially carve out major roles for themselves at key positions in cornerback Mekhi Blackmon and running back DeWayne McBride.
Blackmon honed his skills in the defensive backfield while lining up against his USC teammate, and now Vikings teammate Jordan Addison. Blackmon’s strengths in man coverage will almost certainly contribute to early playing time in the secondary.
Hall is an interesting dart throw for the Vikes at the quarterback position. Though he won’t have much of a role in 2023, neither Kirk Cousins or Nick Mullens are contractually tied to the Vikings beyond the 2023 season. Hall is a low-risk, high-reward option at quarterback.
McBride could be the steal of the entire draft. He led the FBS in rushing last season at UAB and could see immediate action if the team trades Dalvin Cook. He has the ability to carry a heavy workload and all of the physical traits needed to succeed as a three-down back in the NFL.
