JUST IN: The Insider Says Vikings General Manager Under Fire Before Mock Draft………..

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, is perhaps the most hotly contested person in the NFL prior to draft day since he has spent months, if not years, perfecting this year’s draft.

On April 22, Diana Russini of The Athletic wrote that Adofo-Mensah is in charge of a group of five general managers who, in her opinion, are facing the greatest challenges.

According to Russini, “Kwesi Adofo-Mensah of the Vikings is the GM under the most pressure in this draft.” “His Vikings are 20-14 after three years in charge, but they haven’t won a playoff game. Adofo-Mensah is running out of time after allowing Kirk Cousins depart, despite his head coach’s stated wish to keep the quarterback. This may be his greatest chance to add a passer who could change the course of the club.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Finally Hatches His Plan After Moving on From Kirk Cousins

Given the leap of faith of moving on from Cousins, the Vikings are expected to do “everything they can do to move up” on the first day of the draft, Russini added.

Though Adofo-Mensah’s activities on Thursday, April 26, will be closely scrutinized, they were a part of a planned process that began even before he was hired.

Cousins’ playing days were limited, and with only one playoff victory in four seasons, they needed to know what their new regime’s strategy was in order to move on.

Adofo-Mensah, operating under a “competitive rebuild,” tread carefully for the first two years. He brought on Kevin O’Connell, who developed what is perhaps the best locker room and organizational culture in the game while making the most of Cousins for two years.

Adofo-Mensah, however, is now starting to implement his real objectives for the franchise.

Adofo-Mensah strengthened the defense with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and inside linebacker Blake Cashman, all of whom are among the top-100 free agents in Pro Football Focus’ 2024 rankings, thanks to the extra salary money gained from not having to carry a veteran quarterback contract.

The quarterback he will follow for the next four years, and if he makes the proper choice, the following ten, will be revealed

The NFL may make a decision soon following weeks of silence over its inquiry into whether the Atlanta Falcons tampered with their pursuit of Cousins in free agency.

According to sources, the NFL’s investigation into the Falcons’ and the Philadelphia Eagles’ alleged tampering charges against then-free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Saquon Barkley, respectively, could conclude as soon as this week. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday, April 22. “Sources indicate that the Falcons will face more severe discipline, which is expected to involve draft picks.”

The Vikings may be compensated if tampering prevented them from re-signing Cousins, with the Falcons’ eighth-round selection being the pinnacle of draft conspiracies.

The way the NFL handled the Cardinals’ manipulation of former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon the previous season, it’s hard to rule out a statement made shortly before the first round of the draft. In the first round, the Falcons had the eighth pick. The eleventh belongs to the Vikings. What if the Vikings and Falcons simply switch the two picks as punishment? Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio penned this earlier this month.

With the abrupt and unanticipated announcement of the Cardinals-Eagles settlement last year, the NFL established a precedent. It would not be surprising if the Falcons and Vikings faced off once more.