Vikings Offseason Thread

[wabene]

Not a whole lot of love for the he venerable Smith here. Wouldn't any drop off of in his play the last couple of years have anything to do with the cornerback talent on hand? Why is it they are playing 3 safeties? 

[Danchat]

20 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Smith played 98% of defensive snaps. In fact, he played 1113 snaps, the most of his career. Bynum played 99% of the snaps and Metellus played 94%.

So with three safeties they ran a nickel or some kind of 5 or more DB coverage 94% of the time. That's why it kind of seems odd to sign both Van Ginkel and Casham while Pace is here and seemingly capable. One of those guys will be off the field just about every play unless they're lining up with the big boys up front next to Phillips. Van Ginkel seems most likely, but he's a heck of a lot smaller than Wonnum, and way smaller than Bullard and Lowery who were on the field when Wonnum wasn't.

I don't think Van Ginkel is going to be playing any off-ball LB, he is here to be an edge rusher. Ideally he'd be a rotational guy because his size makes him a target in the run game, but unless we spend #11 on a pass rusher he will be starting opposite Greenard.

[Danchat]

7 minutes ago, wabene said:

Not a whole lot of love for the he venerable Smith here. Wouldn't any drop off of in his play the last couple of years have anything to do with the cornerback talent on hand? Why is it they are playing 3 safeties? 

I believe part of it was due to CB depth, but also because Metellus was really good in the "third safety" role where he was essentially a 3rd LB in base formations and the slot CB in nickel packages.

Smith is in his mid 30s, he's not as fast as he used to be and he apparently had a shoulder problem at the end of 2023, which hopefully explains why he looked terrible in the final few games. I was hoping they'd find a younger safety and for cheaper, but I am a huge fan of Smith so I hope he finishes his career on a strong note.

[nicksaviking]

10 hours ago, wabene said:

Not a whole lot of love for the he venerable Smith here. Wouldn't any drop off of in his play the last couple of years have anything to do with the cornerback talent on hand? Why is it they are playing 3 safeties? 

Josh Mettellus playing nickel might have been the best defensive player they had last year outside of Hunter.

[Vanimal46]

Harry the Hitman grew up in the league around guys like Greenway and Robison who took pride in playing their entire career with one team. It seems that he has that same mentality. I’m all for it if he wants to play one more year. He’s one of my favorite Vikings players in my fandom with the team. 

[nicksaviking]

18 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Harry the Hitman grew up in the league around guys like Greenway and Robison who took pride in playing their entire career with one team. It seems that he has that same mentality. I’m all for it if he wants to play one more year. He’s one of my favorite Vikings players in my fandom with the team. 

The frustrating Minnesota sports franchises turned my heart turned to stone awhile back, so my emotionless terminator mind says the top directive is to let Smith go and spend his salary elsewhere, however my auxiliary information bank suggests retaining him will lessen the desire of the front office to once again blow another early pick in the secondary.  

Processing, processing, processing......

Result: Negligible negative impact to possible positive impact. Proceed.

[Mike Sixel]

NFL investigating tampering charges in the signings of Barkely and Cousins....

[Mike Sixel]

DL Jerry Tillery signed (rotational / backup most likely).

[gunnarthor]

5 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

DL Jerry Tillery signed (rotational / backup most likely).

Good depth. 

[Parfigliano]

5 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

DL Jerry Tillery signed (rotational / backup most likely).

They should try to acquire some O-line up grade

[Mike Sixel]

26 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

They should try to acquire some O-line up grade

There isn't much there, frankly

[Musk21]

Vikings just traded picks #42, #188, and a 2025 2nd rounder to HOU for picks #23 and #232.  

[gunnarthor]

19 minutes ago, Musk21 said:

Vikings just traded picks #42, #188, and a 2025 2nd rounder to HOU for picks #23 and #232.  

I would assume this means we have two first round picks to use to trade up into the top 3, then?

[Mike Sixel]

Surprised to wake up to this. I think they're trading up, but it wouldn't shock me if they keep these two picks either. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

I'm really not much of a football fan any longer. But the draft is still always fun. Hopefully they get their QB. Anyone have a favorite they can try and get?

[Musk21]

WAS traded Sam Howell to SEA, so clearly the Commanders are taking a QB at 2. Wonder who the Vikes target is?

[Vanimal46]

2 minutes ago, Musk21 said:

WAS traded Sam Howell to SEA, so clearly the Commanders are taking a QB at 2. Wonder who the Vikes target is?

Drake Maye is my guess. Caleb Williams is a lock to the Bears at 1 and Washington I think leans towards Jayden Daniels. Their OC Kliff Kingsbury has worked with scrambling QBs for most of his coaching career. 

[gunnarthor]

10 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Drake Maye is my guess. Caleb Williams is a lock to the Bears at 1 and Washington I think leans towards Jayden Daniels. Their OC Kliff Kingsbury has worked with scrambling QBs for most of his coaching career. 

I think, after watching KOC coach Dobbs, that Maye fits KOC better anyway. That said, some of the criticisms I'm reading is that he is slow to read plays, which seems like the #1 problem you can't fix.

"“He’s big and mobile and can sling it around but he didn’t play consistent football (in 2023). I thought his processing was a problem but it was hard to tell sometimes because of how his line played in front of him.” - AFC personnel director"

But I'm actually pleased that the Vikings FO is (seemingly) looking to get a top QB. Obviously, if it fails, they'll all be out of jobs but it's a strong, bold move and, with the early defensive free agent signings, seems to indicate that the team has a plan.

[Cory Engelhardt]

36 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Drake Maye is my guess. Caleb Williams is a lock to the Bears at 1 and Washington I think leans towards Jayden Daniels. Their OC Kliff Kingsbury has worked with scrambling QBs for most of his coaching career. 

Drake Maye was coached in high school by new QB's coach Josh McCown. Not that that means anything by itself, but to me it's interesting.

McCown was also a teammate with Sam Darnold with the Jets the season Darnold was a rookie.

[nicksaviking]

55 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Surprised to wake up to this. I think they're trading up, but it wouldn't shock me if they keep these two picks either. 

Teams don't usually trade picks for picks this early, mostly because if there's a guy they wanted at 23, it's too early to tell if he'll be there. Have to think they plan on moving up, and maybe before the draft starts.

Although Florio did suggest the Vikings could use the picks to trade for Justin Herbert allowing Harbaugh to draft his guy McCarthy. Florio said it's a long shot, but I don't think it's that crazy of an idea. Herbert would probably be awesome in the Vikings offense, though then they wouldn't get that rookie contract to aid them. They could probably find a way to pay Jefferson still by rearranging some money, but it would be tight.

[gunnarthor]

3 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Teams don't usually trade picks for picks this early, mostly because if there's a guy they wanted at 23, it's too early to tell if he'll be there. Have to think they plan on moving up, and maybe before the draft starts.

Although Florio did suggest the Vikings could use the picks to trade for Justin Herbert allowing Harbaugh to draft his guy McCarthy. Florio said it's a long shot, but I don't think it's that crazy of an idea. Herbert would probably be awesome in the Vikings offense, though then they wouldn't get that rookie contract to aid them. They could probably find a way to pay Jefferson still by rearranging some money, but it would be tight.

I have no idea how that trade could be made but that would be fantastic. Herbert would look great in purple.

[Mike Sixel]

I was so wrong about Herbert, sure would be great to have him here. They have plenty of cap space to play with after this year. JJ isn't going anywhere unless he says he won't sign. 

[Musk21]

I like Herbert too, but boy it would be nice to have a franchise QB on a rookie contract. Gotta be sure you get the right one though!

[nicksaviking]

19 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I was so wrong about Herbert, sure would be great to have him here. They have plenty of cap space to play with after this year. JJ isn't going anywhere unless he says he won't sign. 

I'd have to think having Herbert at QB would make him interested in staying. I mean, as long as the money is right.

[nicksaviking]

9 minutes ago, Musk21 said:

I like Herbert too, but boy it would be nice to have a franchise QB on a rookie contract. Gotta be sure you get the right one though!

Yeah, that's what I've wanted for so long.

A young star QB like Herbert could make me change my mind though. Herbert getting traded could be like Matt Stafford getting traded; top end QBs that were cursed to be on dysfunctional franchises get moved to a better situation. The odds that even one of those rookie QBs are as good as Herbert is probably 50/50 at best.

[Cory Engelhardt]

21 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Yeah, that's what I've wanted for so long.

A young star QB like Herbert could make me change my mind though. Herbert getting traded could be like Matt Stafford getting traded; top end QBs that were cursed to be on dysfunctional franchises get moved to a better situation. The odds that even one of those rookie QBs are as good as Herbert is probably 50/50 at best.

Herbert's cap hit to the Chargers is pretty extensive, and he has a no trade clause. 

He is good, and still young. I'd just imagine the front office want a young guy to hang their hats on. Very much willing to be wrong.

[Vanimal46]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

Although Florio did suggest the Vikings could use the picks to trade for Justin Herbert allowing Harbaugh to draft his guy McCarthy. Florio said it's a long shot,

Sounds like Florio trying to fill air time. Why would the Chargers owner hire a coach who’s not fully onboard coaching their newly extended $50 million QB? 

[gunnarthor]

40 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Sounds like Florio trying to fill air time. Why would the Chargers owner hire a coach who’s not fully onboard coaching their newly extended $50 million QB? 

I actually agree with you but to play devil's advocate, the owner might be enamored with the new head coach despite the QB and if the new HC wants to restock the system, trading Herbert could do it. That said, I really don't think it's possible considering the salary cap hit. And Harbaugh seems more like a win-now kind of guy and not a complete rebuild guy. 

[nicksaviking]

56 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Sounds like Florio trying to fill air time. Why would the Chargers owner hire a coach who’s not fully onboard coaching their newly extended $50 million QB? 

I agree, but I don’t think of Chargers ownership as rational football minds. I had ZERO interest in Harbaugh as coach. They are celebrating hiring him as if he was the best thing that ever happened to the franchise. They’re going to do whatever Harbaugh wants them to do until Harbaugh burns all his bridges.

[Mike Sixel]

Never mind. 130 million cap hit to trade Herbert....