2025 Vikings Offseason

[Fatbat]

2 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Curious to know what everyone thinks about the rumors of Asante Samuel Jr already being in the Vikings pocket and ready to sign once the draft is done. 

In case you haven't heard the rumor, it's like a game of telephone. A friend of a friend was in Florida and saw him with a group and wearing a Vikings hat. So the friend asked him about it and inquired if he played for the Vikings. His response was to the affect of: "Not yet, but I will be in about 5 weeks". He was then asked his name and he told her it was Asante. This supposedly occurred in his hometown, BTW. 

A few well plugged in sources were asked about the rumor, and their response was basically that it held water and was very believeable. I've also read some possibilities of a 2yr deal worth something like $14M ish per, or a smaller 1yr deal for around $7M ish on a make good offer since he missed most of last season with injury/injuries to his shoulder(s).

This would explain why a 24yo CB with good ability and solid production is still available. And while this rumor, or at least it's source, sounds a little odd, it starts to make sense when you break it down.

If true, it could definitely have an impact on the upcoming draft, and how the Vikings proceed.

What are your thoughts on this rumor?

Sounds like there really isn't much “non tampering” time. Agents are always working the phone and “the next contract” is always fluid since it’s so easy to get cut from a roster. 

[gunnarthor]

5 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Curious to know what everyone thinks about the rumors of Asante Samuel Jr already being in the Vikings pocket and ready to sign once the draft is done. 

In case you haven't heard the rumor, it's like a game of telephone. A friend of a friend was in Florida and saw him with a group and wearing a Vikings hat. So the friend asked him about it and inquired if he played for the Vikings. His response was to the affect of: "Not yet, but I will be in about 5 weeks". He was then asked his name and he told her it was Asante. This supposedly occurred in his hometown, BTW. 

A few well plugged in sources were asked about the rumor, and their response was basically that it held water and was very believeable. I've also read some possibilities of a 2yr deal worth something like $14M ish per, or a smaller 1yr deal for around $7M ish on a make good offer since he missed most of last season with injury/injuries to his shoulder(s).

This would explain why a 24yo CB with good ability and solid production is still available. And while this rumor, or at least it's source, sounds a little odd, it starts to make sense when you break it down.

If true, it could definitely have an impact on the upcoming draft, and how the Vikings proceed.

What are your thoughts on this rumor?

It makes sense that no one has signed him b/c of the draft pick calculation formula so I do believe that Samuel will sign after the draft. I hope it's us. I thought he'd be a logical choice. I also note that we have the cap space for it and he seems the type of guy that fits our secondary scheme, although he's not the greatest tackler.

That said, he has some injury concerns that have been noted as potential red flags --> https://athlonsports.com/nfl/new-orleans-saints/free-agent-cornerback-asante-samuel-jr-medical-concerns which could be another reason he still hasn't signed.

[nicksaviking]

And speaking of injured CBs:

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/cb-shavon-revel-set-to-visit-bills-colts-vikings-this-week

Do not draft injured DBs. Or WRs. Those are the two positions that just cannot play through lower body injuries. Not their fault, but it's the nature of their positions.

Samuel sounds like it's neck/shoulder issue? If it's one of those degenerative neck things we see once in awhile, don't sign him. If it's shoulder, that's fine. 

[Mike Sixel]

I'm am irrationally hoping the Samuel rumors are true!

[nicksaviking]

5 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'm am irrationally hoping the Samuel rumors are true!

Yeah, if it's not a career threatening issue, he'd be a great pick up.

[Mike Sixel]

45 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

And speaking of injured CBs:

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/cb-shavon-revel-set-to-visit-bills-colts-vikings-this-week

Do not draft injured DBs. Or WRs. Those are the two positions that just cannot play through lower body injuries. Not their fault, but it's the nature of their positions.

Samuel sounds like it's neck/shoulder issue? If it's one of those degenerative neck things we see once in awhile, don't sign him. If it's shoulder, that's fine. 

I'm not taking injured DBs until round five or later at this point.... Draft picks are to valuable to roll those dice.

[gunnarthor]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'm am irrationally hoping the Samuel rumors are true!

Agreed. If they are, the secondary looks a lot better than it did at the beginning of the offseason with Murphy, Samuels, Rodgers and Blackmon holding the corners and Jackson/Mettalus/Harris for the safeties. The corners in the draft our a bit weak but safety is relatively strong so we could get a good safety in the third round. Bluntly, the Vikings could just hold at 24 and take the BPA instead of trading down. Draft priorities change a lot, actually. There is no obvious weakness but there are a few places that could see an upgrade(LG, WR3, TE2). And getting more depth at DL, LB, and safety makes sense. 

[nicksaviking]

2 hours ago, gunnarthor said:

Agreed. If they are, the secondary looks a lot better than it did at the beginning of the offseason with Murphy, Samuels, Rodgers and Blackmon holding the corners and Jackson/Mettalus/Harris for the safeties. The corners in the draft our a bit weak but safety is relatively strong so we could get a good safety in the third round. Bluntly, the Vikings could just hold at 24 and take the BPA instead of trading down. Draft priorities change a lot, actually. There is no obvious weakness but there are a few places that could see an upgrade(LG, WR3, TE2). And getting more depth at DL, LB, and safety makes sense. 

I don't want a TE, but if BPA is a WR, I wouldn't be opposed. I don't think a WR3 does much with what will basically be a rookie QB, but I still don't trust Addison to both stay out of trouble and keep from complaining his way out of town, so if one of the good WRs is there, it could be an interesting choice. I don't think I like Matthew Golden though, so not him.

I'm all aboard the BPA train, and while IOL still seems like a 'needs help' position there should be good options available, so if it is IOC, I wouldn't complain.

It's too early, but I'm going to predict the Vikings take Jihaad Campbell. 1st, because I think the Vikings will take the BPA and someone is going to slide, and 2nd because interior LBs seem to have become the RBs of the defense; everyone is focused on the edge rushers. I'll predict Campbell is that guy who slides.

I'll likely change my mind and delete this post later!

[gunnarthor]

49 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't want a TE, but if BPA is a WR, I wouldn't be opposed. I don't think a WR3 does much with what will basically be a rookie QB, but I still don't trust Addison to both stay out of trouble and keep from complaining his way out of town, so if one of the good WRs is there, it could be an interesting choice.

I'm all aboard the BPA train, and while IOL still seems like a 'needs help' position there should be good options available, so if it is IOC, I wouldn't complain. I don't think I like Matthew Golden though, so not him.

It's too early, but I'm going to predict the Vikings take Jihaad Campbell. 1st, because I think the Vikings will take the BPA and someone is going to slide, and 2nd because interior LBs seem to have become the RBs of the defense; everyone is focused on the edge rushers. I'll predict Campbell is that guy who slides.

I'll likely change my mind and delete this post later!

I'd be quite happy with Campbell, actually. He's still just 20 and has a ton of upside. We saw the defense struggled without Cashman so a LB who can cover a bit is needed but he also looks like he could be plugged in as the rush defender LB as well, and push Pace for snaps. 

Agree that a TE in the first round isn't a great idea. 

[DocBauer]

My gut feeling is the Vikings will move down a couple spots in the 1st round to get an additional pick or two for a bonus 3rd and 4th. (More or less). 

IF the Asante rumors are true, it would change the dynamics of the draft. CB would no longer be a priority. 

While you need talent everywhere, I'm a big believer that both lines are still the best place to build a team. Inside and then outward. But I also believe you can develop OL more easily then you can DL. And while it love the fit of both of the top SAFETIES in this class, I don't dislike what we have and believe you can develop solid players at that position.

While I have a lot of optimism for both lines, and don't dislike the depth for either, I think the Vikings will try to grab a top DL at 24, or with their slide back 1st rounder. BPA available will be in play if they stay status quo. But I believe an OL will be selected at some point. If they can trade back just a couple spots and get a couple extra picks, HOPEFULLY a 3rd and 4th, it makes it a heck of a lot easier to grab that DL, OL, maybe a S, and I wouldn't be surprised by a RB in there as well. I Bradhard Smith from SMU is a mid round target of theirs as a speed RB and former WR who could be used in multiple ways.

[gunnarthor]

15 hours ago, DocBauer said:

My gut feeling is the Vikings will move down a couple spots in the 1st round to get an additional pick or two for a bonus 3rd and 4th. (More or less). 

IF the Asante rumors are true, it would change the dynamics of the draft. CB would no longer be a priority. 

While you need talent everywhere, I'm a big believer that both lines are still the best place to build a team. Inside and then outward. But I also believe you can develop OL more easily then you can DL. And while it love the fit of both of the top SAFETIES in this class, I don't dislike what we have and believe you can develop solid players at that position.

While I have a lot of optimism for both lines, and don't dislike the depth for either, I think the Vikings will try to grab a top DL at 24, or with their slide back 1st rounder. BPA available will be in play if they stay status quo. But I believe an OL will be selected at some point. If they can trade back just a couple spots and get a couple extra picks, HOPEFULLY a 3rd and 4th, it makes it a heck of a lot easier to grab that DL, OL, maybe a S, and I wouldn't be surprised by a RB in there as well. I Bradhard Smith from SMU is a mid round target of theirs as a speed RB and former WR who could be used in multiple ways.

Of all the DL in this draft, I think Alfred Collins might best fit what we need. He's a real nose tackle. Not a great pass rusher but he seems like Pat Williams. He can stuff the run on early downs and then be rotated out in passing downs. With the new guys, we have some pass rushers up the middle. He looks like a 2nd round/early third pick, so if we could trade out of the first for a 2nd and 3rd, we might be able to snare him.

[DocBauer]

5 hours ago, gunnarthor said:

Of all the DL in this draft, I think Alfred Collins might best fit what we need. He's a real nose tackle. Not a great pass rusher but he seems like Pat Williams. He can stuff the run on early downs and then be rotated out in passing downs. With the new guys, we have some pass rushers up the middle. He looks like a 2nd round/early third pick, so if we could trade out of the first for a 2nd and 3rd, we might be able to snare him.

If Grant from Michigan was sitting at 24, I think the Vikings might stay put and grab him. But they still have Phillips and the UDFA Taimani looked impressive early before an injury at the NT spot. So maybe they go for more of a 3-5 spot and look hard at Harmon from Oregon? I've seen him later in the 1st and early 2nd depending on which mock you look at. And the Vikings have shown strong interest in him. I agree Collins might be a steal later on.

I still believe the Vikings will trade down once. I don't think they will trade down twice unless the deal is just too good to pass up. And I'm still sticking with a young DL despite our FA signings and some decent young depth. Talented youth is still needed. And it's a great draft to add.

I want to add to a previous post about RB. The Vikings are apparently IN on SMU RB Brashard Smith, who was a WR but turned RB at SMU. He could be an excellent mid round pick who could used almost anywhere. He's rather slight of build, and needs more muscle to ever be a starter...a Robert Smith type of back...but with the ability to break off big plays and maybe even spread out wide as a receiver.

But I have an eye on Tahj Brooks who doesn't have game breaking speed, but might be one of the most "natural" runners in the draft with patience, initial explosion, and toughness. 

 

[nicksaviking]

18 hours ago, DocBauer said:

 

But I have an eye on Tahj Brooks who doesn't have game breaking speed, but might be one of the most "natural" runners in the draft with patience, initial explosion, and toughness. 

 

I still think a pass-catching speedster is still desperately needed as a RB option on this team. Without the threat of someone being able to break big plays out in the flat, I think the other teams will continue to be able to cheat and stuff the box and blitz at will.

[Original_JB]

Flacco to the Browns; so there goes that option.....

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/browns-signing-joe-flacco-to-one-year-deal-as-40-year-old-veteran-returns-to-revamped-qb-room/

[TheLeviathan]

23 hours ago, Original_JB said:

Flacco to the Browns; so there goes that option.....

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/browns-signing-joe-flacco-to-one-year-deal-as-40-year-old-veteran-returns-to-revamped-qb-room/

Drew Lock has always been my favorite of the available options.

[Original_JB]

53 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

Drew Lock has always been my favorite of the available options.

Seahawks for Lock....

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2025/04/qb-drew-lock-returning-to-seahawks

[TheLeviathan]

3 hours ago, Original_JB said:

Seahawks for Lock....

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2025/04/qb-drew-lock-returning-to-seahawks

Welp....guy with a pulse it is.

[Fatbat]

I’m now thinking they trade down down once and then trade up once or twice. They will end up with two 2nd round picks, a 4th round pick. A 5th, 6th & 7th. 6 total picks and one less pick next year. Trader Kwesi for the win!

[shortround81]

For some reason I can't post a screenshot. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16PqtzHh9G/

 

[Mike Sixel]

A nearly perfect off season, assuming this LG is even average. Also really like the WR a lot. And a backup QB that is fine, but not good enough to threaten McCarthy. 

If healthy, this is a ten win team, set up for success if McCarthy is good. 

[TheLeviathan]

17 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

A nearly perfect off season, assuming this LG is even average. Also really like the WR a lot. And a backup QB that is fine, but not good enough to threaten McCarthy. 

If healthy, this is a ten win team, set up for success if McCarthy is good. 

And I don't think they're done.  I'd bet a couple signings come through in the next two weeks once the comp formula is no longer in play.

[Parfigliano]

18 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

A nearly perfect off season, assuming this LG is even average. Also really like the WR a lot. And a backup QB that is fine, but not good enough to threaten McCarthy. 

If healthy, this is a ten win team, set up for success if McCarthy is good. 

Big big IF in "if McCarthy is good".   If he isn't  I  think it's going to be really really not good.

 

[Fatbat]

JJ has everything around him to succeed and he is a proven winner. If the Vikes D even holds their own, the offense is gonna be lights out. JJ has targets everywhere that will likely average 30 pts/game. Vikes get 12W’s minimum. 
Look at the schedule and tell me how we don’t win 12 even with splitting in the division. 
Kwesi again hit a HR with UDFA’s 3-4 guys that graded out as 4-7 rounders that got missed because of size/developmental issues that are easy to address. So much for not having young depth. Thats solved.

Next years draft class is projected to be stronger and we will have 9 picks, maybe 10 as of now. We will also have cap space carried over from this season.  Hopefully we will be picking last in the first round! SKOL.

 

[nicksaviking]

3 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Big big IF in "if McCarthy is good".   If he isn't  I  think it's going to be really really not good.

 

If McCarthy isn't the answer, I'd rather he show it by being really bad so we know ASAP. I don't want drag it out four or five years saying, 'Eh, maybe?'

But even if he's not good, I think the defense will be, and it will still be an average team at worst.

[Parfigliano]

4 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

If McCarthy isn't the answer, I'd rather he show it by being really bad so we know ASAP. I don't want drag it out four or five years saying, 'Eh, maybe?'

But even if he's not good, I think the defense will be, and it will still be an average team at worst.

If they aren't going to be really good I want really bad.  Like top 3 draft pick bad.  Average is draft purgatory which is where they usually are drafting around #20.

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Parfigliano said:

If they aren't going to be really good I want really bad.  Like top 3 draft pick bad.  Average is draft purgatory which is where they usually are drafting around #20.

I agree, I hate being a middle of the road team.

But the way this squad is built, I think they'd need a ton of injuries to be top-of-the-draft bad next year. 

[Mike Sixel]

5 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Big big IF in "if McCarthy is good".   If he isn't  I  think it's going to be really really not good.

 

I'm not sure your point? We all know they've hooked their future to him. 

[gunnarthor]

I thought the Vikings draft was pretty good. A few thoughts

1) Before the Vikings drafted the TE from Pitt, they talked to Jordan Addison about him. I thought that was a really good example of the team culture they are creating. Making the WR2 part of the discussion for a 6th round pick? Really cool, makes him feel important. 

2) The Sam Howell trade is really good b/c his salary is only like 1m this year. Earlier we thought we might have to pay up to 10m on a backup. This could let the team add a few more guys in free agency, if they want. Someone like S Julian Blackmon would make sense. 

3) here's some highlights of the 5th round edge rushed who, according to a few people, can play all along the defensive front. Also, his parents must have liked the GOT books.

 

[gunnarthor]

Vikings extend Van Ginkel for one year. It's 23m but unclear how the cap money is actually figured. 

https://www.dailynorseman.com/2025/4/29/24420576/minnesota-vikings-andrew-van-ginkel-agree-one-year-contract-extension

 

[nicksaviking]

14 hours ago, gunnarthor said:

Vikings extend Van Ginkel for one year. It's 23m but unclear how the cap money is actually figured. 

https://www.dailynorseman.com/2025/4/29/24420576/minnesota-vikings-andrew-van-ginkel-agree-one-year-contract-extension

 

Can't complain about that, but it's making it harder for Dallas Turner to get on the field. At this point, the Vikings are going to have to make a decision about his 5th year option while he's still only a backup.

Not complaining, just saying.