The Minnesota Vikings fell back to earth last year after an outstanding 2022 season that featured several close wins. But the bottom fell out last year when a season-ending injury to quarterback Kirk Cousins and a leaky defense left them with a 7-10 record and a seat for the playoffs.
Now, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell have to work their magic to transform the Vikings back to being playoff contenders. Here are the position groups that need the most attention and the possible candidates who could fill those roles.
Vikings Quarterback Situation
With the departure of Cousins to Atlanta, this position is obviously priority one. Sam Darnold was brought in as a stopgap but at best, that’s all he is. It’s no secret that the Vikings are looking to move up in the draft to pick their quarterback of the future.
The price will be high as in their 11 and 23 picks this year and their 2025 first-round pick. This should move them into the 10 where they hope to have a shot at selecting Derek Maye from North Carolina or J.J. McCarthy out of the University of Michigan. With such a high price to pay, Adofo-Mensah and Connell know that they have to get this pick right.
Cornerback
It’s NFL Draft time and you know what that means. It means it’s time for the Vikings to draft a cornerback. Every year, this refrain is repeated by Vikings management. In the Mike Zimmer era, this was mainly the case because Zimmer liked to have 15 cornerbacks in camp. Lately, it has completely become a case of need.
The Vikings’ cornerback group was in shambles last year. Byron Murphy Jr. had a decent year and Mekhi Blackman showed some promise. But Akayleb Evans looked completely overwhelmed as a starter in 2023 and Andrew Booth Jr. is still a crapshoot. And the addition of free-agent Shaq Griffin adds depth to the position but does not constitute an upgrade of the existing unit.
Assuming the Vikings use their two first-round picks to secure a quarterback, I believe that cornerback will be the next position group they address. Unfortunately, due to a series of trades, the Vikings, unless they swing a deal, their next selection isn’t until the fourth round. With that, I predict that Minnesota will draft a cornerback with their first fourth-round pick. Names to remember here are D.J. James out of Auburn or Wake Forest’s Caelen Carson.
Vikings Need a Defensive Tackle
I was tempted to put offensive line in this slot but I will stick with conventional wisdom. The Vikings already deploy two sold run-stoppers in their 3-4 defense. Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard are tenacious junkyard dogs who can clog the middle. What they need is an explosive interior rusher to put additional heat on opposing quarterbacks.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is a master at devising formations to exert maximum pressure on quarterbacks. Look for the Vikings to select someone like Longhorn T’Vondre Sweat or Hurricane Leonard Taylor III with their other fourth-round pick to bolster their interior pass rush.
Offensive Line
This position group makes the list for two reasons. One, they need to replace the exiting Dalton Risner at left guard. And, the Garrett Bradbury era has to end soon for the Vikings to take the next step up in their pass protection. As a center, he just never as had enough strength to anchor the offensive line on passing downs.
The Vikings have two fifth-round picks and they would be wise to choose interior offensive linemen with these slots. At center, they should consider Arkansas’ Beaux Limmer or Nittany Lion Hunter Nourzad to stabilize their interior pass protection. Pair one of those prospects with converted Pitt tackle Matt Goncalves or KT Leveston from Kansas State at the left guard position and the line play should improve.
Middle Linebacker
Some draft experts would choose wide receiver as one of the Vikings’ top position needs. My opinion is that holdovers Brandon Powell and Jalen Nailor can be productive at the third receiver spot opposite Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
I am more concerned about the lack of depth at the middle linebacker position, Jordan Hicks has departed, though Blake Cashman and surprise undrafted rookie star Ivan Pace Jr. should more than hold their own in the center of the Vikings’ defense.
But their backup, Brian Asamoah, is largely untested so the Vikings need more security with this unit. Using their sixth-round pick, Minnesota should target either Jaylen Ford out of Texas or Notre Dame’s Marist Liufau.
The Vikings will have to use quite a bit of draft capital for the opportunity to draft their next quarterback. It will take tremendous research and great instincts to find some hidden gems in the draft. Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell must be on the same page when draft day rolls around. The fans will be watching.
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Greg Simbeck covers a variety of sports for Total Apex Sports. He specializes in MLB coverage. Greg has covered various sports for numerous other publications over the years.
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