The Minnesota Vikings’ 2022 draft class was supposed to be the foundation of a new era under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Instead, just three seasons later, it’s become a cautionary tale - a group that’s been whittled down to two players, with one of them potentially on his way out before the calendar flips to 2026.
Let’s start with the facts: of the 10 players Minnesota selected in that draft, eight are already gone. First-round pick Lewis Cine, once seen as a potential cornerstone in the secondary, was waived.
Second-rounders Andrew Booth Jr. and Ed Ingram were traded. Third-round linebacker Brian Asamoah?
Waived. Fourth-round corner Akayleb Evans, fifth-round defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo, sixth-round tackle Vederian Lowe, and seventh-round tight end Nick Muse - all gone as well.
Different reasons, same result: none of them stuck.
The most productive player from that class has been sixth-round wide receiver Jalen Nailor. After a slow start to his career, Nailor carved out a solid role as the team’s WR3 over the past two seasons.
But even that success story might be short-lived. Nailor is set to hit unrestricted free agency after the season, and with the Vikings tight against the salary cap, keeping him around could be a challenge.
That leaves one other member of the 2022 class still in purple and gold: running back Ty Chandler. But for how much longer?
Chandler, taken 169th overall in the fifth round, was always a bit of a developmental pick. Back in 2022, Minnesota’s backfield was led by Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, so Chandler was more of a long-term project than an immediate contributor. His rookie season was cut short by a thumb injury, limiting him to just three games and 20 rushing yards.
But in 2023, after Cook was released, Chandler got his shot. He stepped into a rotational role behind Mattison and made the most of it - 461 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and another 159 yards through the air. He showed burst, vision, and an ability to contribute in both phases of the offense.
Then came 2024, and with it, a crowded backfield. The Vikings brought in Aaron Jones, and Chandler’s role shrank quickly.
By midseason, he had slipped behind Cam Akers on the depth chart. His final numbers?
Just 182 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards - a steep drop from the promise he showed the year before.
This season, Chandler started as the team’s third-string back behind Jones and Jordan Mason, who was acquired via trade from San Francisco. But he barely got a chance to compete. A knee injury in the season opener against the Bears sidelined him, and he hasn’t seen the field since.
That changed on Monday, when the Vikings activated Chandler off injured reserve after opening his 21-day practice window earlier this month. There was hope he’d be ready to go against the Giants last weekend, but he wasn’t cleared in time. Now, with both Jones and Mason banged up following that game, Chandler could be in line for a decent workload on Christmas Day against the Lions.
It’s a big opportunity - but it might also be his final audition in a Vikings uniform.
Looking ahead, the Vikings already have Jones and Mason under contract for 2026. That doesn’t leave much room for Chandler, especially if he’s hoping for a multi-year deal or a contract above the veteran minimum. Minnesota may be open to bringing him back on a low-cost, one-year deal - something around $1.2 million - but anything more than that, and it becomes a tough sell for a team trying to manage its cap and build for the future.
If Chandler isn’t willing to take that kind of deal, the front office could decide to hit reset again - targeting a fresh set of legs in the late rounds of the 2026 draft and starting the development process from scratch.
The Vikings' 2022 draft class was supposed to be the first major building block of a new regime. Instead, it’s become a story of missed opportunities and short-lived tenures. And unless something changes fast, Ty Chandler could be the next - and final - name added to that list.