Vikings' Draft Moves: Hidden Gems and Bold Surprises That Could Change the Game

The key part will be putting together the Vikings’ draft board, evaluating all the prospects, and collecting intel on the 31 other teams. Brzezinski is well-connected and will be able to help collect intel. The scouting and coaching staff will gather a lot too.

Ryan Grigson and Demetrius Washington, co-assistant general managers, lead the scouting operations. Both were hired by Adofo-Mensah. Grigson has four years of experience as general manager for the Colts, which may also prove helpful in putting together the draft board. Grigson is more of a traditional football guy, having played in the NFL and CFL (he was a 6th round draft pick) and later moved up the scouting ranks over many years. Washington has more of an analytics background, having worked in the R&D department for the 49ers most of his career, overlapping there with Adofo-Mensah.

A More Influential Brian Flores

But I suspect the Vikings’ coaching staff will have even more weight in player evaluations than usual this year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Brian Flores is one of the most influential voices in that regard. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Vikings draft a majority of defensive players this year, given where the holes in the roster lie, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Flores is more heavily involved in player evaluations and is given the last word. Flores is a former scout with the Patriots and has said that scouting is one of the things he likes doing the most. Of course Kevin O’Connell will weigh in as well, but I suspect he will defer to Flores when it comes to defensive players.