The Minnesota Vikings had a great 2021 draft on paper. One player’s development will be critical to the success of the team and significantly impact next year’s draft needs.
Wyatt Davis was selected by the Vikings in the third round. Many analysts considered the Ohio State product a steal, as he was projected to be a first round pick prior to a knee injury.
The Vikings have been in need of capable guards for years. In recent memory, they have started Dakota Dozier, Tom Compton, Nick Easton, Mike Remmers, and Alex Boone at right or left guard. None of these have been long term solutions.
Davis has good size and strength, but his technique against NFL players will be what counts. Even with his good potential, he faces an uphill battle of beating two veterans for the starting job.
If he can’t develop quickly, it will likely be another year of duress for Cousins. Whether it’s Dakota Dozier who would start opposite of Ezra Cleveland, or Mason Cole, neither are effective pass protectors.
Looking to the future, slow development by Davis could also necessitate another first-round offensive lineman. The Vikings will likely have a number of needs come the 2022 draft, so it would be nice not to have to spend a high pick on the line yet again.
The left guard competition will be one of the most exciting to watch during OTAs and training camp. If Wyatt Davis can catch on quickly, the Vikings should finally have a solid line, and they’ll be able to save a draft pick next year.
As is always the case, the Minnesota Vikings signed about a dozen undrafted free agents immediately after the 2021 draft. That said, one of these players is an unlikely recruit based on his age and position played.
The Vikings recently announced that they signed 30 year old punter Zach Von Rosenberg out of LSU. You read that right, a 30 year old rookie. As it stands, he’s tied for the fifth-oldest player on the Minnesota roster.
As you can imagine, Zach has a unique story. He came out of Zachary High School (Louisiana) in 2009 ranked as the 41st-best pitching prospect in the country. He signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played on minor league teams for several years. Eventually, Zach left baseball and made his way to college at LSU. To further complicate his story, he started as a tight end and later converted to punter.
Not only does Zach have an interesting background for an NFL hopeful, but the Vikings are already sitting pretty with Britton Colquitt as their punter. Colquitt is a veteran player and excellent locker room presence with plenty of gas left in the tank, so it’s perplexing that the team would even bring someone in to compete with him.
Keep an eye on the LSU product this offseason and in training camp. It will be exciting to see if he comes hunting for Colquitt’s job, or if the Vikings have other plans for the savvy 30-year-old.
The 2021 NFL Draft is only a few days away, and the Minnesota Vikings have several positions they’re hoping to address with their 10 picks. Channelling my inner Rick Spielman, I tried my hand at a mock draft using the Pro Football Focus Draft Simulator…
Most of the mock drafts I’ve seen in articles and on social media include so many trades that they become quite unrealistic. To keep it simple, I stuck with the picks that the Vikings currently own.
After years of offensive line turmoil, I attempted to fix the Minnesota offensive line with two early picks. Christian Darrisaw is a highly ranked prospect that can play tackle or guard thanks to his good technique and athleticism. I would play him at guard, and move second year player Ezra Cleveland to left tackle where he belongs.
Green isn’t as big a name as Darrisaw, but he can shore up whatever guard position remains open. The Illinois product is on the smaller side at 6’2”, but the Vikings prefer linemen who have good technique and are mobile rather than oversized maulers.
Kendrick Green = twitched up w/excellent center of gravity & core strength at 6'2" 305. Dude is a ball of lighting with an iron head to jolt/stun defenders at the point & strong hands to latch/control. Former super HS athlete & high level wrestling background shows up on tape. pic.twitter.com/sFlRMa8DSP
With Jeff Gladney’s future uncertain due to a recent arrest, I needed to address corner right away. The Vikings already have three bonafide starters in Cam Dantzler, Patrick Peterson, and Mackenzie Alexander, but the team was only one injury away from being in big trouble. I’ve watched plenty of film on Gowan, and I love the way he defends receivers on deep routes and rips at the ball after catches. He also plays with good instincts in zone and is sure-handed on interceptions.
Great job by Tay Gowan undercutting the route and then getting not 1 but 2 feet down. NFL ready. Lol Great play. pic.twitter.com/6lqKnVWpw0
Some mock drafts have the Vikings taking a wide receiver in round one. Minnesota already has plenty of great pass catchers, so I waited until round four to nab an exciting small school player in Cade Johnson. At 5’10” and 175 lbs, Johnson is a great modern-day shifty wide receiver. He didn’t play in 2020 due to covid concerns, but in 2019 and 2018, he tallied eight and 17 touchdowns, respectively. He should be very healthy after a year off from football.
Being that I am University of Minnesota alumni, I couldn’t pass on corner Benjamin St. Juste when he fell in my lap midway through the fourth. He was a lone bright spot on the Gophers defense this past year with his good physicality, and he rounds out a revamped Vikings cornerback group.
With Kyle Rudolph in New England, the Vikings are once again in the market for a mid-round tight end. They already have Tyler Conklin and Irv Smith Jr., but Minnesota loves three tight end sets. Tommy Tremble is from a winning culture at Notre Dame (coincidentally the same school Kyle Rudolph went to), and his addition will create good friendly competition amongst the young Minnesota tight ends.
Without messing with trades, I didn’t see a good opportunity to nab a pass rusher until this point. I use my last fourth round pick on Jonathon Cooper and trust that defensive line coach Andre Patterson can coach him up. He had 3.5 sacks in a covid-hampered 2020, and I’m hoping he can boost those figures in the north. Like Tremble, Cooper is comes from a winning culture in Ohio State.
Jonathon Cooper loves these speed-to-power rushes
Cooper is a no-nonsense rusher. Straight line attacks. Power rushes. Inside moves. Cooper isn’t looking to run around OTs – he wants to go through them!
The Vikings added Xavier Woods in free agency, but their safety cupboards are still pretty bare. Damar Hamlin has some good reviews (and six picks) out of Pitt, and he can be mentored by All-Pro safety Harrison Smith.
Damar Hamlin 2,500+ snaps in career… Tough in run support but a savvy coverage safety on backend. Was initially a CB prospect out of Central Catholic https://t.co/n1lkFe11kGpic.twitter.com/iIxppoXF1K
Minnesota’s linebacking corps is in pretty good shape with Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks, but at this point in the draft, it makes sense to add some depth in Derrick Barnes. Clearly I value Big Ten players.
One of fastest rising LB in 2021 draft is @BoilerFootball Derrick Barnes. Showed edge rush ability as junior with 7.5 sacks and SL-to-SL speed playing off the ball this year. @derrickbarnes21 also had some good coverage reps for 245-lber at Senior Bowl with his reactive trigger. pic.twitter.com/ZRouUoxD7D
Surprise surprise, another Big Ten athlete to cap off my draft. Chauncey Golston of Iowa is very raw, but he has a long 6’5” frame and managed 5 and a half sacks in his covid-shortened senior year. Again, the Vikings are good at developing defensive ends, and he’ll at least make for a good training camp body.
#Iowa DE Chauncey Golston #57 is going to play in the NFL beyond his rookie contract.
Upright and a little stiff, but long and physical. Nonstop hustle. DE/DT versatility. One of my favorite day 3 values this year. pic.twitter.com/tPBfKGHCfr
Overall, I was very pleased with this mock draft. I avoided temptations and stuck to addressing actual needs. The offensive line should be the best it’s been in recent years after my two high selections, while I wish I had nabbed a defensive end earlier in the draft. It also might have been nice to pick up a running back, or maybe a kicker late in the draft, but those can wait until undrafted free agency.
Stay tuned to see if any of my picks come to fruition! Last year, I was right that the Vikings would draft Harrison Hand, so you never know…
After the release of Dan Bailey, the Minnesota Vikings may be in the market for a new kicker. They already have third-year pro Greg Joseph on the roster, but Joseph is relatively inexperienced and the team may want to draft and develop a kicker. Here are the top three kickers available in this year’s draft.
McPherson played three years at Florida, and he only missed ONE extra point in that span. As for field goals, McPherson converted just shy of 90% of his kicks during his first two years, and then pulled back to only a 77% success rate in his final season with the Gators.
The Florida product made longs of 48, 50, and 55 yards in each season, so he should have leg strength worthy of the NFL.
Jose Borregales – Miami
FIU’s standout kicker Jose Borregales was crushing FG’s today like he has been all season. We also adjusted his kickoff steps today. He’s now ready to add that responsibility & excel for the 2019 season. #Fab50 💣 pic.twitter.com/KOuYo2BFpl
Borregales played four years of football with the Hurricanes and showed steady improvement along the way. Early in his college career, Borregales was making field goals at 70% and 80% rates, but he stepped up his game to roughly 90% this past season.
The Miami product is also more than comfortable making long kicks. Jose’s career long came on a 57-yarder during his senior year, and he made 53-yard kicks in both his junior and sophomore seasons.
As for extra points, Borregales missed three in his college years, so he technically wasn’t as automatic as McPherson. That said, three misses over four years is hardly a red flag.
Like Borregales, Patterson stuck around to play four full years at Memphis. Perhaps he should have declared for the draft after his junior year though, as his field goal percentage dropped from 92% as a junior to 68% as a senior. He also missed six extra points in four years.
The drop in performance could have been a fluke, or a result of less practice due to covid limitations. It’s a major concern either way.
Patterson has a big leg that made multiple 52 yard kicks and a 56-yarder in college, but his senior season struggles may prevent him from being drafted.
None of these kickers would be definitive upgrades, so the Vikings may stand pat and roll with Greg Joseph to start the season. Stay tuned though, drafting a kicker would make for an exciting competition during training camp.
Free agency and the draft are just around the corner, and everyone has an opinion on what’s most important for the Vikings. Based on the current roster and the value of various positions, here are Minnesota’s three biggest needs.
GUARD
This one is obvious. The Vikings front office will never know if Kirk Cousins is worth the money if they can’t protect him in the pocket. Dakota Dozier looked terrible at left guard last season, and there’s no reason to believe he’ll develop further as he nears 30 years old.
At right guard, Ezra Cleveland looked decent, but there are talks of moving him to tackle. Guard needs to be addressed immediately in free agency and/or the draft, as this position affects the entire offensive line’s performance.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Even with Michael Pierce expected to play next year (he opted out in 2020 due to covid concerns), defensive tackle is a very weak position for the Vikings. It’s not the flashiest area of the defensive line, but Minnesota was repeatedly gashed last season by opposing running backs, and they need a new big man to plug up the middle.
Finding a defensive tackle who could also rush the passer would be even better. Mid to late round picks Shamar Stephen and Jalyn Holmes have not been able to do so for the Vikings, so the team needs to bite the bullet and use an earlier pick, or significant money in free agency to solve this problem.
SAFETY
Much to my dismay, Anthony Harris did not put on a resounding performance at safety last season. The Vikings had used the franchise tag to buy time in looking at his worth, and they got a pretty clear answer. With his poor play and the franchise tag expiring, he’s almost certainly headed out the door, so Rick Spielman has work to do in finding a replacement.
There is no one on the roster who can carry their weight alongside safety Harrison Smith, and this position is quietly critical to generating turnovers and preventing big plays on defense. Free agency may yield some experienced options for the Vikings. Some of these options include Marcus Williams (New Orleans), Daniel Sorensen (Kansas City), and Marcus Maye (New York Jets). Whether it’s via free agency or the 2021 draft, Minnesota needs a new safety to pair with Smith.
As it stands, the Minnesota Vikings have many needs. The team does not have the luxury of going after auxiliary players or strengthening already solid positions – they must face and fix their biggest problems.
With the losses of Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander, it will be a new era of Vikings cornerbacks starting this season. Some analysts have already discounted Minnesota’s defense as a pretender vs. contender, but fans should actually be as excited as ever for what’s to come.
Before we explore the many reasons why Minnesota’s new generation of corners are more than capable, let’s pay homage to the trio of playmakers that are moving on. Xavier Rhodes became a household name during his time in the Mike Zimmer defense, using his physical play-style and long arms to shut down the NFL’s best receivers. Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander took some time to work their way into starting roles, but they ultimately used their speed and athleticism to lock up foes. Many are sad to see them go, especially considering the latter two have plenty of gas left in the tank, but that’s the name of the NFL and its respective rosters – not for long.
Now, let’s take a look at the new guys… both rookies and players who weren’t previously consistent starters. These are the Vikings corners who should make the 53-man roster:
Mike Hughes – 5’10” – 189 – 23 yrs – Returning Player
Holton Hill – 6’2” – 196 – 23 yrs – Returning Player
The first and probably most important thing we notice within the group is their build. Most of the players are under six feet tall and 200 pounds, and the two who are over in height are under in weight. Today’s NFL favors shifty receivers who can quickly change direction (i.e. Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs) and quick, nimble corners are well suited to keep up with these players. Aside from when he would match up against bigger receivers, Rhodes really struggled these past two years. For reference, he is a larger corner at 6’1” and 215 pounds, so his ability to mirror receivers declined drastically as he approached 30.
Rhodes open. David Moore beats Xavier Rhodes for a 60-yard TD. Coverage bust.
With Minnesota’s cap space being marginal at best, (at least until Michael Pierce opted out of this season), the team chose not to bring in or retain any veterans at this position. With the oldest player(s) being 23, it is clearly a youthful group. Personally, I think this is a good approach, so the group can grow together, and the team can avoid any controversy that comes with deciding when it’s time for the young guns to start over veterans. With youth also comes athleticism… as was noted earlier.
Important measurables with corners aren’t restricted to just their height. Arm length is just as important as height, and many of these players are above average in this category. Holton Hill and Jeff Gladney have the longest arms of the group, which is notable that they may both be the Vikings outside starters this year. Regardless of where they play, all have very desirable traits for the position, and they should be able to play inside or outside interchangeably in the event of injuries.
In this group of corners, it may seem as though Zimmer is willing to sacrifice physicality for quickness and lateral agility. That’s not really the case.
If you watch game tape from any of the players in this group, it becomes very clear that they aren’t afraid to get physical. Hill and Gladney in particular are eager to execute hard hits, and they can also be used effectively in blitzes. Cam Dantler fits this aggressive but disciplined mold too, and I have high expectations for him as a third-round rookie. Also keep your eyes on Mike Hughes, who has battled injuries early in his career, but fits the modern day mold for a corner very well.
Despite what some may tell you, there is a lot to be excited about with the Vikings defense this year. Much of that is thanks to the promising players at the cornerback position, and it will be a great unit to watch compete amongst themselves and against opposing offenses this season.
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Drafting a quarterback in the first round is always a risky endeavor. I was quite surprised to see Slick Rick Spielman and the Vikings go this direction, but they clearly have confidence in their new wideout. Jefferson was a big part of Joe Burrow’s success with LSU this year, as he helped the Tigers secure a national championship. Gary Kubiak says Jefferson was his favorite receiver in the draft, largely due to his high football IQ and ability to run the entire route tree. Let’s see if he can make some magic in Minnesota this year. The only reason I give this pick a B+ is because of the risk and high expectations that first-round receivers carry. Congrats to Justin Jefferson for becoming a Viking!
PICK #31 – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Grade: A-
Gladney should be the perfect fit for the new and youthful Mike Zimmer defense. He looks the part of a physical corner on tape, but he has great technique and speed too. It is somewhat surprising that he lasted until the 31st pick, as analysts had him mocked to the Vikings back at 25. Nonetheless, he should be an instant playmaker in Minnesota. It’s too early to tell if he will play on the outside or in the slot, but I would project him as an outside corner for the Vikings based on Mike Hughes’ prowess inside. Either way, I’m beyond excited to see him shut down some top-tier receivers this year. The reason he was given an A- rather than an A was because of character concerns. But, these may well just be rumors, and they likely are based on Spielman’s typical drafting criteria. Congrats to Jeff Gladney for becoming a Viking!
With spring in full swing, most football fans are focused on the draft. It is without a doubt an exciting time for all professional football teams, but Vikings fans should take a moment to revel in a player already on the roster. That player is quarterback Kirk Cousins.
After that last sentence, Vikings pessimists and promoters alike may look to the empty trophy case in U.S. Bank Stadium (note: it is not actually empty, nor is it at the stadium) and have some doubts. Yes, the Vikings fell short of the elusive Super Bowl last season, but quarterback Kirk Cousins had a monumental year on and off the stat sheet. He now has a real chance at a new beginning.
Per his usual self, Cousins put up gaudy stats in 2019. He passed for 3,600 yards and tallied 26 touchdowns. Nonetheless, skeptics barked all season about his inability to win the big game and be a true franchise quarterback. In playoff-bound “you like that?” fashion, Cousins finally silenced the haters.
Cousins rolled into Dallas, in primetime, against a team with a winning record, without one of his star receivers, and he orchestrated a prompt takedown of America’s team. The next week, he spawned a record-setting comeback against the Denver Broncos, decidedly proving his ability to overcome a deficit and salvage a win.
Of course, there were some clinkers too. Cousins can be held partially responsible for five of the team’s losses last year, but in most, he gave Minnesota a very good chance to win at the end (i.e. at Seattle or at Green Bay). The cherry on top was silencing the “who dat?” nation New Orleans Saints on the road. Short of winning a Super Bowl, there are no more narratives for the naysayers to cling to.
That brings us to the 2020 Vikings. If the league can get past Covid-19, Cousins has a chance to build on last season’s success and have a very good year. Every year is a new beginning in a way, but this one will be different for Cousins.
With no more monkeys on his back, it should not only feel like a fresh start, but a start in which he finally has street cred besides his stats. Cousins also now has the advantage of being coached by veteran coordinator (and former head coach) Gary Kubiak, who knows Cousins’ strengths and can get the most out of the quarterback. It’s the perfect storm for a sterling season.
Even diehard fans may look at the roster and be skeptical that Cousins and the crew can have success. Much of the team has turned over, and one of the offense’s biggest threats (Stefon Diggs) is gone. This is another reason why Cousins has a great chance to succeed. Low expectations equal less pressure. Less pressure equals a less-constricted Cousins. Without so much pressure, maybe he can let it fly like he’s playing backyard ball. After all, he has been most successful when Zimmer tells him to do so.
It is perfectly normal to be excited about the draft, but do not forget about memories of the past and what they mean for the future of the team. Regardless of what happens in the unpredictable draft, fans have reason to be confident in Cousins.
To Vikings fanatics and Green Bay refugees everywhere,
Without a doubt, this has been a tough year. Coronavirus has torn apart our country, and in the midst of the pandemic, Vikings fans are pinned inside watching their purple heroes walk out the door. It would be easy to be pessimistic right now, but this is no time to get down on our favorite team. Instead, we must forge ahead towards a new beginning.
Like it or not, we are Minnesota sports fans, and we have been beaten down before. Aside from the Twins and Lynx, there haven’t been many titles won in this state. Heck, the Timberwolves and Wild may never finish their seasons, and who knows if the Twins will ever start. Let’s have some perspective and be grateful that the Vikings have a good chance of actually starting their season on time.
It is truly amazing how quickly things can change. One minute you’re enjoying a burger in downtown Minneapolis, and the next you can’t leave your house without a hazmat suit. One year, Stefon Diggs is your miracle man. The next? You know the drill… He’s making controversial Instagram posts and getting shipped to Buffalo. Didn’t see that one coming after a certain play in January of 2018.
Now, it’s easy to be sad about the loss, or blame GM Rick Spielman for pulling the trigger on a polarizing trade. Let’s be honest with ourselves. Diggs wasn’t who we thought he was, or at least he changed very quickly and drastically. He made it painfully clear what he wanted and had done so for some time. It was time for Spielman to listen. All we can do is be thankful for the memories he brought us. Some open cap space and a few draft picks are pretty nice too.
Diggs isn’t the only one we had to let go. Three corners, all starters in fact, will be donning different colors for the first time in each of their careers. Don’t even get me started on the safety situation. How hard do you think it was for Mike Zimmer, cornerback guru, to see his beloved draftees, as well as a former all-pro go out the door? I can only imagine. Thank goodness he had the foresight to draft a first-round corner and take an undrafted gamble on another. See, that’s the mindset we need. Zimmer and Spielman built the old team from rubble, and they can craft a new one too.
This is the important part, the new beginning. Yes, we’re talking about the 2020 NFL Draft. It’s only weeks away, and it will be the most critical channel for bringing in new talent this year. Don’t sell Spielman short, as he picked up a couple of good players in free agency. That said, the meat and potatoes come from college recruits. Zimmer has acknowledged that football is a young man’s game, and I believe he was warning us that this team was getting old.
Wow, with the losses of seven starters, the draft is really starting to look like a do or die arena, huh? Well, perhaps, depending on your perspective. If Spielman puts on his Ray Bans and rolls the dice like a riverboat gambler, he might pot enough talent to get Cousins and the crew back to the playoffs. If not? Fans accept the reality of not having instant gratification and wait a year or two for the young guns to develop. It’s not nearly as fun as proving people wrong, but it is a reality we must prepare for.
Either way, this team isn’t rolling over and playing dead. Both Zimmer and Spielman are in a contract year, so they must prove their ability to get this team on the upswing. If not? There are plenty of coaches, some in house, who would love to be in their shoes.
In closing, I’ll put my money on slick Rick in the draft, and Zimmer on the field. There are vacancies to be filled, but I think we should view every week, every game, and every hurdle this year as an opportunity for this team to grow, and we can also embrace being the underdog. It was without a doubt difficult to see some old friends go, but they brought us many good memories while they were here, and they are giving Minnesota the chance for a new beginning.
The off-season is in full swing, and that means Vikings general manager Rick Spielman is making plans for the 2020 Vikings. One of the biggest talking points has been the left side of the offensive line, and specifically, whether or not Spielman should move veteran left tackle Riley Reiff to guard. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of making that move, and ultimately decide if that would be a good move or not.
For those who aren’t very familiar with Minnesota’s starting left tackle, here’s some quick background information. Reiff was a first round pick back in 2012, and he spent five years with the Detroit Lions before being brought to the Vikings in March of 2017.
Reiff has been a good left tackle for Minnesota. He was most definitely an upgrade from the likes of T.J. Clemmings, Matt Khalil, and Jeremiah Sirles. The trouble is, he is indeed a very average tackle. Spielman can be applauded for making an upgrade at the position, but it came at a price. Currently, Reiff is scheduled to make over $13 million in 2020, and many fans believe the Vikings should be getting a top-notch tackle at that price. With that quandary and a small budget, these are the routes Slick Rick could choose to go:
Cut Reiff, save $8.6 million, lose $4.4 million in dead cap
Trade Reiff (likely difficult to find a suitor)
Move Reiff to left guard in hopes he plays better there
Convince Reiff to restructure his deal as either a tackle or guard
Fans and analysts alike are torn over the option of moving Reiff to guard. There is sound reasoning to move him to guard, but there are also obvious reasons not to. Check out a breakdown below:
Potential PROS of moving Reiff to guard
Makes former left guard Pat Elflein more expendable, as Elflein could be cut to open up some cap space
Gives Reiff an opportunity to try and potentially thrive at a new (likely easier) position late in his career
Gives current right tackle Brian O’Neill and opportunity to switch to left tackle
Keeps Reiff on the team, no dead cap from a cut
Potential CONS of moving Reiff to guard
Previous attempts at moving tackles to guard have failed (Mike Remmers)
Reiff’s current deal is more appropriately priced for tackle, and it would make him one of the most expensive guards
Reiff is a veteran and it is very late in his career to learn a new position
Reiff is a good left tackle, and there is no guarantee Spielman could upgrade that position in the draft or free agency
A move could disturb continuity on the line and create a bigger learning curve during the offseason
With the pros and cons in mind, I see two obvious and much safer options than an attempted move to guard. It would make the most sense to keep Reiff at tackle and be satisfied with his average play, or cut him and gamble on drafting the left tackle of the future. Free agency doesn’t even seem to be on the table given Minnesota’s deplorable cap situation.
To me, the draft makes the most sense. It’s risky, but using a high pick on a left tackle at least gives the Vikings an opportunity to improve at the position, or find the same level of talent for less money, while it also saves some cap space for spending elsewhere. Given his pretty solid drafting resume, I trust Spielman to go and get the right athlete to bookend the offensive line.
There’s a chance Spielman may feel the need to wheel and deal to move up in the first round, but that also might not be the case. Remember, he was able to nab Brian O’Neill in the second round, and O’Neill has truly been a savior for the opposite side of the line. Only time will tell, but I hope the Vikings take their shot at another exciting young tackle.
