NFL Draft 2022: Best Pick By Every NFC North Team

Minnesota Vikings: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson

It was an interesting first NFL Draft for new Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. “Moving around” was the motto you could throw up to describe the draft, but “secondary reload” could also be used. The move back in the trade with Detroit gave the Vikings a ton of day two draft capital to work with, and they did just that.

First, before day two started, they took Lewis Cine, who will pair really well with Harrison Smith as an enforcer with great processing skills. They then moved back a ton again with the Packers, getting 53 and 59 for pick 34. They didn’t stick with both of those selections, as they moved up from 53 to select their best pick from the draft, Clemson corner Andrew Booth.

Booth was ranked all over the place among draft analysts, with some giving him the “CB1” tab and others leaving him outside their top five. The ball skills were obviously the most exciting part of his game, as he can rise above the rim and make ridiculous plays on the ball. But, other things stood out, like his trigger to close with impressive speed and his willingness to attack downhill against the run.

His feet are quick and his transitional quickness (and hip fluidity) are so so good. He played a lot of off-coverage, which suits him best, but even press-man shouldn’t be too much for him with more reps. The Vikings got a star in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.