Vikings Offseason Thread

[Mike Sixel]

Fifth hardest projected schedule somehow......and a brutally hard start after game 1.

[Aggies7]

How long will Addison be suspended?

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Aggies7 said:

How long will Addison be suspended?

Probably four games at least, but also probably not until 2025. His court date isn't until November. It would be great if he'd get suspended late this season, but the NFL may drag their feet and he can appeal (presuming he loses).

Have to think that using an early 2025 pick on a WR is going to be a big discussion next year.

[DocBauer]

I believe Kwesi has assembled a really good coaching staff. I think he's set the team up well financially after this season. I think he's done a lot of good so far. I also think, for whatever and various reasons, he completely blew the 2022 draft. (The trading down wasnt my issue, but many of the choices made). And make no mistake, that draft HURTS the current team, as well as having an affect on the future. But they did much better in 2023. And even with limited picks in 2024, they did well, with the tragic passing of young CB Jackson "messing" with ultimate success.

UDFA are not just a random lottery. There is still scouting and recruitment involved, in addition to $ spent. Not quantifying UDFA of quality is like saying a late round draft surprise doesn't count as a win in the draft.

With respect, any arguement that Cine MIGHT turn out to be a solid player in the future vs the Hit Man, or any other SAFETY kept is ridiculous as IF he was kept, he was AT BEST the 6th man. Keeping a 6th SAFETY for hope is not how you build a roster.

For the most part, the final 53 man is about what I expected with a few surprises. I don't like letting Nwangwu go as the KR and 3rd RB. I THOUGHT we saw enough in preseason to believe he was actually looking like a real RB. But we don't see or know everything that takes place in scrimmages and practices. He's previously struggled as a receiver and pass blocker, and it's been reported he lacks natural instincts as a RB. My GUESS is, despite a good preseason, they still see him as a fast athlete, and not a true RB. Gaskins is a solid blocker, proven receiver, and ran well all preseason. 

It feels like bringing on Rypien instead of Hall is a knee jerk reaction to 2023 injuries. HOPEFULLY, Hall comes back to the PS. He's got the talent to be a quality backup QB once he learns to trust himself more. I saw REAL improvement this preseason.

REALLY excited about Rodriguez, Taimani, and Redmond as reserves on the DL. They all flashes and showed potential. Now, the DL needs at least ONE difference maker next year, assuming Phillips comes back, and maybe two, but having a young trio with potential is much better than last season.

I kept hearing Jones was on the bubble at OLB. But a few reports were saying he was having a great camp. IDK, but this staff hardly ever plays starters or top reserves in the preseason. So when I hear good things and a guy DOESN'T play, I assume good things. INTERESTING that we get to keep Murphy and develop him but didn't have to cut anyone right now to keep him. Also excited we get to keep Richter on the PS.

I'm actually impressed how Kwesi has rebuilt the CB position on the fly due to injury and unfortunate death. 

The WR position looks really good! Surprisingly good. Rather shocked that UDFA Jones was just cut with recent additions. I'm betting he's back soon as things are still fluid. 

I'm still a bit perplexed by the OL, and that's not bad or good. Tackle looks great! Bradbury is OK/solid at CENTER...though I'm hoping for improvement in the near future. I have high hopes for Brandel at LG. But I'm confused at Ingram at RG. He's SLOWLY shown improvement. PFF dislikes him. But after watching all 3 preseason games and some isolated plays on different websites, I'm of the belief he might be advancing. DITTO for rookie Jurgens at CENTER and OG. I'm not sold on Feeney, but the staff seams to be. Risner is in reserve for now. And not only was I impressed by Robinson, I hear he ALMOST made the final roster.

The OL might be my biggest concern entering 2024. I think they're 2 players short between making CENTER better, and ONE of the GUARD positions better than average. But there's enough talent/options available that we could see a surprise there.

Generally speaking, I really like the construction of this team, despite questions about both lines, and the future at CB. NOT saying any of the 3 spots are BAD, but I question next level and the future of all 3. 

Brandel is what I think he might be, and Ingram takes a step forward this year, a difference maker at CENTER might give us a great OL soon. Three young players who show potential, keep Phillips, and add ONE really DL next year, the DL might be OK this year, and pretty damn good next. CB is going to be in flux with Evans hopefully improving, McGothern improving, Murphy back, and Blackmon coming back strong, but needing at least one good addition to this group in 2025. 

This team is NOT devoid of talent on either side of the ball. But there's still enough of a talent question mark and transition going on to think they could win only 6 games...to maybe win as many as 10. Between development of what they have, the FA room they'll have next offseason, and the few draft picks they have, they SHOULD have the ability to add a handful of key parts to begin the step forward to being a contender in the next few years.

Of course, I haven't forgotten, have they GOT their future QB right?

 

[DocBauer]

I DON'T get waiving 2nd year, prospect QB Hall in hopes of adding him to the PS and then losing him to Seattle because you were "scared" you might have an injury situation like 2023. 

You drafted Hall because you thought he had a chance to develop in to a quality backup QB. He showed improvement this preseason. But you'd rather lose him and keep a very mediocre "veteran" QB like Rypien? If you get to your 3rd QB, your game is pretty much DONE, if not your month or season. 

I'd ALWAYS keep a young, developmental QB as my #3 over a mediocre at best "veteran". And if they thought so little of Hall vs Rypien AT THIS POINT, then he was either a wasted pick, OR, they have out-thought themselves and gotten "too cute" thinking he'd be an easy slip to the PS.

I can't argue with the final roster much at all. But this was the one spot where I can yell out malpractice of talent and roster space.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

I DON'T get waiving 2nd year, prospect QB Hall in hopes of adding him to the PS and then losing him to Seattle because you were "scared" you might have an injury situation like 2023. 

You drafted Hall because you thought he had a chance to develop in to a quality backup QB. He showed improvement this preseason. But you'd rather lose him and keep a very mediocre "veteran" QB like Rypien? If you get to your 3rd QB, your game is pretty much DONE, if not your month or season. 

I'd ALWAYS keep a young, developmental QB as my #3 over a mediocre at best "veteran". And if they thought so little of Hall vs Rypien AT THIS POINT, then he was either a wasted pick, OR, they have out-thought themselves and gotten "too cute" thinking he'd be an easy slip to the PS.

I can't argue with the final roster much at all. But this was the one spot where I can yell out malpractice of talent and roster space.

He was a fifth round pick. I don't get being this upset that it was wasted. 

[Vanimal46]

2 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I DON'T get waiving 2nd year, prospect QB Hall in hopes of adding him to the PS and then losing him to Seattle because you were "scared" you might have an injury situation like 2023. 

You drafted Hall because you thought he had a chance to develop in to a quality backup QB. He showed improvement this preseason. But you'd rather lose him and keep a very mediocre "veteran" QB like Rypien? If you get to your 3rd QB, your game is pretty much DONE, if not your month or season. 

I'd ALWAYS keep a young, developmental QB as my #3 over a mediocre at best "veteran". And if they thought so little of Hall vs Rypien AT THIS POINT, then he was either a wasted pick, OR, they have out-thought themselves and gotten "too cute" thinking he'd be an easy slip to the PS.

I can't argue with the final roster much at all. But this was the one spot where I can yell out malpractice of talent and roster space.

Hall was an old prospect when we drafted him, small, and looked awful in the Green Bay game last year. He’s only a year younger than Darnold. At this stage he’s a PS caliber QB and that’s what Seattle signed him as. Good luck to him, but we’re not missing out on anything. 3rd string QBs are a dime a dozen. 

[gunnarthor]

11 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I DON'T get waiving 2nd year, prospect QB Hall in hopes of adding him to the PS and then losing him to Seattle because you were "scared" you might have an injury situation like 2023. 

You drafted Hall because you thought he had a chance to develop in to a quality backup QB. He showed improvement this preseason. But you'd rather lose him and keep a very mediocre "veteran" QB like Rypien? If you get to your 3rd QB, your game is pretty much DONE, if not your month or season. 

I'd ALWAYS keep a young, developmental QB as my #3 over a mediocre at best "veteran". And if they thought so little of Hall vs Rypien AT THIS POINT, then he was either a wasted pick, OR, they have out-thought themselves and gotten "too cute" thinking he'd be an easy slip to the PS.

I can't argue with the final roster much at all. But this was the one spot where I can yell out malpractice of talent and roster space.

ESPN actually had an article on this just a few days ago - https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41107375/nfl-backup-quarterback-crisis-qb2-qb3-depth-charts-joe-flacco-aaron-rodgers

Essentially, the league wide dearth of capable QBs (Josh Dobbs was a top 20 QB by QBR last year) and the strong likelihood of injury, teams are paying far more attention to QB depth and capability than they had been. The article discusses the Vikes a bit but it's a league wide discussion.

"The Vikings found themselves back in quarterback hell before the season even began, but this year they were prepared. Rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy's injury meant Darnold officially became the starter, Nick Mullens the backup and Hall the QB3. At roster cut-down, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah released Hall in order to sign fifth-year quarterback Brett Rypien to the active roster because he felt better about Rypien's experience in the QB3 role than Hall, who he said needs more development."

[nicksaviking]

12 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

He was a fifth round pick. I don't get being this upset that it was wasted. 

I don't care about losing Hall.

I care what the desire to roster Rypien suggests. That being that they'll desperately chase mediocrity again at the expense of putting themselves in a better position next year.

If Darnold gets injured or stinks, just accept your fate and take the silver lining of a top five pick.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, nicksaviking said:

I don't care about losing Hall.

I care what the desire to roster Rypien suggests. That being that they'll desperately chase mediocrity again at the expense of putting themselves in a better position next year.

If Darnold gets injured or stinks, just accept your fate and take the silver lining of a top five pick.

Two different topics. And we agree 

[TheLeviathan]

I saw @gunnarthorpost this, but I'll put it here too:

That Harrison Phillips signing is really good.  He's the perfect lunch-pail DE for Flores scheme.  If they can draft another one, or get a true nose, it will really help this defense go to another level.

My number one desire in next year's draft is a DT.  Nic Scourton.  Walter Nolen, or perhaps my favorite: Deone Walker.  I wanted T'Vondre Sweat really badly last year but I'd take Walker.  Imagine that guy eating up opposing offensive lines while the rest of the front seven creates havoc.