NFL draft's unpredictable nature means Vikings must be ready to pivot

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah calls roster construction "a beautiful puzzle," which can be argued.

After all, what's beautiful about a construction process that spits out an 8-9 record? Not a darn thing. But that's the past, and the Vikings contend they are not rebuilding. Adofo-Mensah is tasked with adding enough talent to create a playoff-caliber team.

Thursday's NFL draft is the time to shop for more pieces to the puzzle, and there are many options for the Purple.

The modern professional sports executive appears to embrace a certain lexicon. We learned that when Derek Falvey was named the Twins' new leader before the 2017 season and spoke of a culture of collaboration. Adofo-Mensah used that word Tuesday as he made a pre-draft news conference appearance and described the Vikings draft board as a "real-life algorithm."

Adofo-Mensah can talk the talk, and it's no surprise that he knows Falvey. The two met about 10 years ago, and Falvey recently pointed out that Adofo-Mensah's college roommate was Mike Chernoff, who is the GM of the Cleveland Guardians, where Falvey worked before joining the Twins.

These college-educated, analytically bent cats travel in similar circles.

As Adofo-Mensah prepares for his first draft as Vikings general manager, here's another word he might have to embrace: Pivoting.

Pivoting could be in play Thursday for young Kwesi, as he sits on the 12th overall pick. There are several signs that the first round will be topsy-turvy:

This could be a pivot point for the Vikings as well. They love LSU corner Derek Stingley Jr, but Stingley might be taken as high as third overall. They also like Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. a smart but not speedy player. But Hamilton is being mocked to the Commanders, who own the 11th pick. A trade up to snag a top priority? Trade down if favorites are gone? We'll see.

The Vikings might also take a wide receiver at 12. New head coach Kevin O'Connell is an offense guy. Most of the Vikings' work to this point has been to bolster the defense. O'Connell could use another toy.

The greatest quandary for the Vikings would be if Hamilton and a wideout such as Ohio State's Chris Olave are available at 12, along with game-wrecking defensive tackle Jordan Davis from Georgia. I would take Davis here and watch the defensive line flourish.

Another reason trading down is a possibility: The Vikings need a corner, and they like Andrew Booth Jr. out of Clemson as well as Washington's Trent McDuffie. They could trade down in the first round. accepting multiple picks from a team loaded with them, and land one of those talents.

So we just might get to see what kind of pivot move Adofo-Mensah has as he builds the 2022 Vikings.