A few days removed from the 2022 NFL Draft, CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson ranked all 32 teams based on their respective draft classes.
Wilson slated the Vikings and their 10 draft picks 19th overall. He named a favorite pick, most surprising pick and best value pick for each team, and he tabbed Minnesota rookie Jalen Nailor as the Vikings best value. Wilson wrote:
We liked Jalen Nailor early in Round 4 because of his athleticism and downfield playmaking ability. He only ran a 4.5 at the combine but played faster than that. He'll need to get stronger, but he can consistently eat up cushions as a long strider and stack defensive backs on vertical routes.
Wilson's favorite of Minnesota's draft class is cornerback Andrew Booth, Jr., whom the Vikings selected 42nd overall out of Clemson.
Andrew Booth, Jr., is a first-round talent who lasted 10 picks into Round 2 primarily because he wasn't able to run during the pre-draft process because of a quad injury and hernia surgery. He made just 15 college starts, but the ability was easy to spot, both in coverage and in run support.
New Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah most surprised Wilson with his second-round selection of LSU's Ed Ingram. According to Wilson, Ingram was projected by CBS analysts as a mid-fourth rounder.
The Vikings got him at the bottom of Round 2 to fill needs along the interior offensive line, and we get why they did it. Ingram is an earth-mover in the run game who excels at combo blocks, but he isn't going to be a player you use in space.
Lewis Cine predicted to be Vikings 'biggest impact' rookie
Of the Vikings 10 draft picks, which will make the biggest impact in his rookie season?
The Athletic asked its reporters to highlight that player from each respective team, and Chad Graff pointed to safety Lewis Cine, whom Minnesota tabbed with the 32nd overall pick.
Safety Lewis Cine has a chance to be a Day 1 starter opposite Harrison Smith after competing with Cam Bynum for that job. Even if Bynum wins that battle, it sounds like the Vikings defensive coaches are going to look for ways to get all three safeties on the field at the same time. The Vikings secondary was their biggest weakness entering the draft, and Cine should improve that.
It's always worth noting what pundits are saying about the other NFC North teams, too.
The Athletic's Matt Schneiderman wrote the following of Green Bay:
While second-round pick Christian Watson should have a significant impact given the Packers lack of other receiving threats, I'm going with Devonte Wyatt. The 28thoverall pick in the 2022 draft should jump Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed on the depth chart not long into his NFL career. Wyatt will greatly benefit from the attention Kenny Clark draws from opposing offensive lines, and vice versa. Green Bay's interior front has been disappointing against the run and pass in recent years, both areas which Wyatt should help elevate right away.
Adam Jahns said rookie CB Kyler Gordon "will change the complexion of the Bears defense."
Before drafting Gordon with the 39thoverall pick, the Bears really only had Jaylon Johnson as a viable option at corner. Gordon didn't allow a touchdown in 18 starts at Washington. He also didn't commit a penalty in two seasons. For all that and even more, the Bears are getting an immediate upgrade to pair with Johnson in their secondary. [Head] Coach Matt Eberflus will make Gordon earn that starting spot, but it shouldn't take him long to beat out Kindle Vildor and Duke Shelley.
View photos of Vikings first round draft pick, S Lewis Cine, and his first time meeting the team at the TCO Performance Center.
The Lions had the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft and drafted Aidan Hutchinson, whom Chris Burke said is "the only member of the Lions draft class with a clear path to extensive playing time as a rookie."
Of the team's other high picks, receiver Jameson Williams is coming back off an ACL, while edge rusher Josh Paschal and defensive back Kerby Joseph likely are slotted for rotation/sub-package work early. Hutchinson, though, will be part of the defensive attack in all situations. If he isn't a Rookie of the Year contender all season, it'll be a disappointment.
View photos from Day 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft from inside the Thomson Reuters Vikings Draft Room, of first round draft pick Lewis Cine and in Las Vegas.
Anthony Barr bringing 'football and fashion' fundraiser back to Minneapolis
Linebacker Anthony Barr, the Vikings 2021 Community Man of the Year and currently a free agent, is bringing his "Under Review: Football & Fashion" fundraiser back to Minneapolis.
Barr will host the unique event at Brother Justus Whiskey on Friday, May 20. Ticket proceeds and donations will benefit his Raise the Barr foundation, which operates to "tackle poverty two generations at a time.
Learn more or purchase tickets here.