After giving fans a near heart attack, the Minnesota Vikings traded up in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft on Friday to select Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded out of the No. 34 spot earlier in the round to get an additional second-round pick from the Green Bay Packers, who moved up on the board to draft receiver Christian Watson.
Even after making that move, the Vikings still get their man at No. 42 after sending the No. 53, 77 and 192 picks to the Indianapolis Colts. So once again, things end up working out for the Vikings after a head-scratcher trade with a division rival.
Booth Jr. is possibly a first-round talent at the cornerback position. He was denied the opportunity to test at the NFL Scouting Combine, along with missing an appearance at Clemson’s Pro Day, due to injuries.
But the reality is most teams avoided throwing to his side of the field in college. The 21-year-old defensive back has good enough size and length to bedevil opposing receivers at the next level. He plays physical and aggressive, while still needing work on the subtleties of his game, particularly in the footwork department.
Those are things he’ll be able to learn on the fly, while giving a boost to Minnesota’s patchwork defensive backfield in the process.
The Vikings managed to re-sign Patrick Peterson to another one-year deal, and they brought in slot cornerback Chandon Sullivan from the Packers. Cameron Dantzler will also be lining up in the backfield for a third season.
Dantzler is the only viable starter on the Vikings’ roster without an expiring contract after the 2022 season. So not only did the team need help right now, but they also needed a burst of youth at the cornerback position capable of helping them for years to come.
When healthy, Booth Jr. has flashed the talent to be that player.
