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The Minnesota Vikings enter the 2022 NFL Draft with eight picks, including the 12th pick overall. And new Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has work to do to get Minnesota back in the fray in the NFC. After finishing 8-9 and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season, the Vikings cleaned house. The team fired head coach Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman days after the Vikings season ended.

Adofo-Mensah made some decent splashes in his first free agency in charge. Signing OLB ZaDarius Smith gives Minnesota a fearsome two-headed pass-rushing combo in Smith and Danielle Hunter. They added LB Jordan Hicks from Arizona, DT Harrison Phillips from Buffalo, and re-signed CB Patrick Peterson to further bolster their defense.

Now Adofo-Mensah turns his focus to the draft. And while Minnesota has some clear needs on the offensive line, remember, this is a bold predictions story. So without further ado, lets get to it.

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3. Find an instant contributor at tight end

The Vikings have plenty of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. But tight end is one position where questions remain. Irv Smith Jr. returns after missing all of last season with a torn meniscus. But in his two seasons prior, Smith topped out at 36 catches and 365 yards. And even after signing former Rams tight end Johnny Mundt, the Vikings could look to the draft for an instant contributor.

There are two spots that make sense for Minnesota to find a highly productive tight end. While the 12th pick of the second round is probably too early to take one of the drafts top tight ends, the Vikings could trade back in the second and select either UCLAs Greg Dulcich or Colorado States Trey McBride.

Dulcich and McBride are the consensus top-two tight ends in the draft. McBride, coming off 90 catches at Colorado State last year, is the more proven pass catcher. Dulcichs blocking is further along, but hes also no slouch in the passing game, averaging 17.3 yards per reception last season.

If Minnesota uses their second-round pick elsewhere, the third or fourth round is another chance to snatch a high-upside tight end. Cade Otton from Washington is a great blocker with a chance to develop into a solid pass catcher. While Minnesota doesnt have a fourth-round pick currently, a trade up to select Otton would make sense for the Vikings.

2. Draft a QB

Kirk Cousins got a one-year contract extension in March that keeps him in Minnesota through the 2023 season. But if Cousins doesnt improve and the Vikings miss the playoffs the next two seasons, theyll haveto move on from himright? Well lets get a little crazy. Minnesota has Sean Mannion and Kellen Mond as backups, but this new regime in Minnesota has no attachments to either of them. So with the Vikings second-round pick, how does Matt Corral sound?

The Ole Miss quarterback is a feisty competitor with plenty of confidence as evidenced by two games with 5 interceptions in 2020. But his risk-taking tendencies dropped last season, as he threw just five picks all season. Coming to Minnesota is the perfect situation for Corral. Hell need a couple years of development before hes NFL ready. Sitting behind a proven though at times uninspiring Kirk Cousins will let him mature into a starting quarterback in two years. Say hello to your future franchise QB Vikings fans.

1. Stingley drops to 12

While not necessarily a bold prediction for the Vikings themselves, seeing LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. available at pick 12 would be a bit of a surprise. Hes been projected as high as the second pick by some experts, and a top-five selection would surely shock nobody.

But there are some concerns over his performance trends since his standout freshman season for the Tigers. Hes missed time with injuries, and his PFF grade has decreased each year since 2019. So a drop out of the top ten is a possibility. But that 2019 season was special. If Stingley falls to the Vikings, Adofo-Mensah should sprint the draft card to the stage himself. Pair him with Patrick Peterson, another former LSU superstar, and let him blossom into a top corner in football. Stingley has shown what hes capable of, and in the right situation, this guy will be a stud.

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Minnesota Vikings: 3 bold predictions in the 2022 NFL Draft - ClutchPoints