Vikings $296 million spending spree still nets lucrative comp picks, per NFL draft analyst

Ryan OLeary

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Vikings $296 million spending spree still nets lucrative comp picks, per NFL draft analyst image

The Minnesota Vikings haven’t exactly crushed the NFL Draft during GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s tenure, with the team’s lowly haul this past weekend being the latest example.

No one can debate Adofo-Mensah’s mastery in free agency, though, especially when it comes to managing the NFL’s compensatory pick formula.

Per NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein, the Vikings pulled off a neat trick this offseason. Despite spending over $296 million on free agents such as Will Fries, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, Minnesota is still projected to be awarded multiple comp picks for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Zierlein projects the Vikings to receive a third-round pick for Sam Darnold’s $100 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, and an additional fifth-rounder for Cam Robinson’s one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers:

“Minnesota might have turned a one-year, $10 million contract for Darnold into the top compensatory pick in the 2026 draft, and they are getting 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy back from injury,” Zierlein wrote. “Well played, Vikings.”

The Vikings entered last weekend’s NFL Draft with just four selections, but it would have been three had it not been for the third-round comp pick the team received for losing Kirk Cousins to his ridiculous $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Minnesota was awarded the most valuable compensation available, pick No. 97 overall, and the team’s on track to repeat that feat thanks to Darnold.

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Despite what the media was reporting, Darnold was never likely to sign back with the team this offseason. Ditto for Robinson, as the team already has its franchise left tackle in Christian Darrisaw. Flipping those two players for valuable draft capital is yet another major feather in Adofo-Mensah’s cap.

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.