Sights and Sounds from Vikings rookie minicamp

The rookies hit the NFL field for the first time at the Minnesota Vikings’ rookie minicamp last weekend.

Everyone from drafted players and undrafted free agent signings to invite-only players looking to be signed showed up at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan for a series of workouts and drills.

The Vikings are dependent on a youth movement, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, to help end their three-year playoff drought. Players like safety Lewis Cine and cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. are hoping to play a big role for the team right out of the gates.

But there are possible surprise players in there as well like former Wake Forest edge rusher Luiji Vilain, who could be looked back on as one of the biggest undrafted free agent steals in 2022.

It’s all coming together for the Vikings, as they continue to put in the work preparing for kick-off in September. Here are a few of the sights and sounds from rookie minicamp.

A new era begins

There is hope within the Vikings organization that the young men pictured above have an impact on the team for years to come.

Nothing is ever certain until the pads come on, but there are plenty of reasons why fans should feel optimistic about the youth movement happening in Minnesota right now.

One thing is certain: Kwesi Adofo-Mensah succeeded in his goal to rack up as many draft picks as possible. After moving up and down the board, the first-year general manager came away with 10 rookies at the 2022 NFL draft.

Leading by example

Lewis Cine has taken on the challenge of leading the rookie class in the early practices. The Vikings clearly drafted him for more than just his ability to drop the hammer on ball-carriers on the field.

He also demonstrated traits as a leader during his time with the national championship-winning Georgia Bulldogs last season. Harrison Smith isn’t getting any younger, and there’s going to come a time when the Vikings need someone else to step into that “hitman” role in the defensive backfield.

They’re hopeful Cine will be that guy.

Brian Asamoah meets Kwesi

One of the more heartwarming moments at minicamp was the face-to-face meeting between linebacker Brian Asamoah and Adofo-Mensah.

Both men have Ghanaian roots, and before being drafted by the Vikings, Asamoah told Vikings director of college scouting Mike Sholiton he wanted to shake Adofo-Mensah’s hand.

And now, here he is hugging the man that drafted him. If this wasn’t a “pinch-me” moment, I don’t know what else would be.

Immediate reinforcements

The two men playing catch right here will ultimately decide the trajectory of the Vikings in 2022.

Do they instantly morph into a Super Bowl contender, or will it simply be more of the same—random losses that eat away at their record and make them irrelevant by the time January rolls around?

The Vikings are hopeful both Cine and Booth can boost their defensive secondary immediately. Time isn’t exactly a luxury for a team that claims they’re in win-now mode.

Rookie minicamp highlights

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