Day 3 Draft Tracker: Minnesota Vikings wrap up draft with 3 trades, 6 picks
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up the 2022 NFL Draft with a hectic final day, making three trades and adding six players to their draft class.
The Vikings started the day by acquiring the 118th overall pick for picks No. 156 (fifth round) and a 2023 fourth-round pick. With that selection, the Vikings took Missouri cornerback Akayleb Evans.
Evans made 29 tackles (one for loss) and had seven pass deflections, two forced fumbles and an interception during his senior year at Missouri. At 6-foot-2 and 197, Evans is one of the larger corners in this year's draft but recorded a relative athletic score (RAS) of 9.57.
Akayleb Evans was drafted with pick 118 of round 4 in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.57 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 88 out of 2001 CB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/CPDx6Z0xtX #RAS #Vikings pic.twitter.com/WM299gntnA
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2022
Moments later, the Vikings traded back from pick No. 122, sending it along with pick No. 250 to the Las Vegas Raiders. Minnesota received picks No. 126 and 227 in return but immediately traded 126 back to the Raiders in exchange for picks No. 165 and 169.
When the Vikings finally went back on the clock, they selected Minnesota Gophers edge rusher Esezi Otomewo with the 165th overall pick.
The 23-year-old didn't have much production with the Gophers, with just three sacks in his senior season but his tools and frame could help him become a pass-rushing specialist.
I covered Esezi Otomewo during his entire #Gophers career. He has the length/wingspan to defeat blocks, sets hard edges and has good lower-body power/explosiveness.
— Daniel House (@DanielHouseMN) April 30, 2022
Within the #Vikings scheme, he will fit well as a 5-tech who can kick inside occasionally.
Several picks later, the Vikings selected North Carolina running back Ty Chandler with the 169th overall pick. A burner with a 4.38-second time in the 40-yard dash, Chandler led the Tar Heels with 1,092 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
He also racked up 3,245 all-purpose yards during four seasons at Tennessee and is a suitable pass catcher with 73 catches for 681 yards and four touchdowns during his collegiate career.
In the sixth round, the Vikings selected Illinois offensive tackle Vederian Lowe with the 184th overall pick and Michigan State receiver Jalen Nailor with the 191st pick.
Lowe is 6-foot-4, 314 pounds and a two-time Big Ten Honorable Mention. He allowed just 12 pressures in 12 games for the Illini last season and his 80.3 run-blocking grade ranked 43rd among qualifying offensive tackles according to PFF.
Nailor caught 37 passes for 695 yards and six touchdowns last year for the Spartans. At 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, he posted a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-8 inch broad jump, making him an explosive prospect.
The Vikings wrapped up their draft by taking South Carolina tight end Nick Muse with the 227th overall pick. Muse began his career at William & Mary catching 30 passes for 453 yards and a touchdown in his sophomore season. He transferred to South Carolina the following year but tore his ACL.
Muse has limited production over the past two seasons (647 yards, 3 TD) but posted an 8.79 RAS during testing.
Overall, the Vikings made 10 selections and six trades during the draft. While they added depth, they will hope their starters continue to play at a high level entering the 2022 season.
Vikings selections in the 2022 NFL Draft:
Round 1, Pick 32: S Lewis Cine, Georgia
Round 2, Pick 42: CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
Round 2, Pick 59: OG Ed Ingram, LSU
Round 3, Pick 66: LB Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma
Round 4, Pick 118: CB Akayleb Davis, Missouri
Round 5, Pick 165: EDGE Esezi Otomewo, Minnesota
Round 5, Pick 169: RB Ty Chandler, North Carolina
Round 6, Pick 184: OT Vederian Lowe, Illinois
Round 6, Pick 191: WR Jalen Nailor, Michigan State
Round 7, Pick 227: TE Nick Muse, South Carolina
