2025 Vikings Offseason

[TheLeviathan]

2 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I'd only trade Addison if they signed another WR. 

I think Chris Godwin is going to be a sneaky good signing by some team this year. He likely won't draw more than two years of guaranteed money and he is an underneath target-monster who always gets open. Which would be perfect for a young QB who may be hesitant to throw to the always double covered Jefferson. 

That's partly why I suggested Elijah Moore as well.  I think a good slot player like that would be really smart.  

For the record....I'm not saying the Vikings should deal Addison, but I'd listen if I were them.  You can farm receivers in the mid rounds.  You know....if we ever keep our mid-rounds.

[DocBauer]

Going to repeat what I have said previously that I think the Vikings are on a 2 year plan right now to really set the roster. They weren't supposed to be this good this season, but they have the $ to make some serious moves in FA, but a limited amount of draft capital for this year, and a more traditional number of picks for 2026, and possibly even a couple supplemental picks for 2026, TBD.

I think keeping what you have is usually a better formula than a massive shake up. I think you keep both Murphy and Bynum in the secondary. I'd like to keep Jones at OLB, but he might have better offers that we don't want to match. I'm interested in bringing Jones back, but how much is he going to want at 31yo? Still, I'd like him for one more season. I like Redmond, LDR and Taimani as potential backups on the DL. I could be talked in to bringing Bullaed back on an inexpensive deal as a run stuffer who occupies OL.

To me, it's just too hard to who I'd draft as that's going to depend a lot on what they can accomplish in FA first. But unless someone is sitting at pick 24, I'd definitely be looking to trade back for an additional pick or two. I might even move back to the early 2nd round if the package offered is good enough. Maybe a 2nd and 3rd?

But what do they NEED?

1] They need a really good DL who can disrupt and make plays.

2] They need a top CB, and maybe a 2nd solid one to team with Murphy and Blackmon. That gives you a good 4 to work with. 

3] They greatly need a PAIR of OL. There's various ways to mix and match at C and G, but TWO is a MUST. Maybe Brandel is best at C? (He's practiced some there but never appeared in a game to my knowledge). I wouldn't mind a solid #3 G, but that's not a top priority.

4] A talented young RB is a definite. Again, I'm interested in Jones for 1yr if the cost is acceptable. Then you can look for his replacement in 2026. IF they trade back, I can see drafted a PAIR this upcoming cycle and letting Jones walk.

5] Safety looks solid with what they have if Bynum is back. But if Harry retires, I'd look for a S in the mid rounds if they trade back for additional picks.

I don't move Addison at this time. They've got him for 3 more years, and might work out an extension after next year. They'll probably not spend ALL of their FA $ in a single offseason. Plus, we have the best cap man in the business, and I wouldn't doubt a few deals get reworked with some bonus $ to free up additional $ for this season and next.

But when you add it all up, what they NEED between FA and the draft is 7 or 8 GOOD additons...and maybe a couple depth pieces...to really SET each position group. IDK if you can get that done in ONE offseason via FA and the draft. Maybe. Between re-signs and 3 or 4 really good FA, you're probably tapped out $ wise, maybe leaving a little on the table for 2026. Only 4 picks in the upcoming draft, and only 2 the first 2 days, might not allow them to address everything all at once. Which is why I say it might be 2 years to really complete the roster as I see it.

I think Darnold has real value, but can they risk franchising him and then trade him? I'm not certain if that works. But he's adds a pick for 2026 if he walks. And Robinson might bring a pick back as well. All TBD since the formula is based on losses vs signings. So it's possible neither brings back a pick.

IF they trade back successfully, and can get the right FA without messing up the TOTAL payroll, they just might add all 7-8 players they need. But FIRST comes re-signs and FA before we can talk about the draft.

[Mike Sixel]

14 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Going to repeat what I have said previously that I think the Vikings are on a 2 year plan right now to really set the roster. They weren't supposed to be this good this season, but they have the $ to make some serious moves in FA, but a limited amount of draft capital for this year, and a more traditional number of picks for 2026, and possibly even a couple supplemental picks for 2026, TBD.

I think keeping what you have is usually a better formula than a massive shake up. I think you keep both Murphy and Bynum in the secondary. I'd like to keep Jones at OLB, but he might have better offers that we don't want to match. I'm interested in bringing Jones back, but how much is he going to want at 31yo? Still, I'd like him for one more season. I like Redmond, LDR and Taimani as potential backups on the DL. I could be talked in to bringing Bullaed back on an inexpensive deal as a run stuffer who occupies OL.

To me, it's just too hard to who I'd draft as that's going to depend a lot on what they can accomplish in FA first. But unless someone is sitting at pick 24, I'd definitely be looking to trade back for an additional pick or two. I might even move back to the early 2nd round if the package offered is good enough. Maybe a 2nd and 3rd?

But what do they NEED?

1] They need a really good DL who can disrupt and make plays.

2] They need a top CB, and maybe a 2nd solid one to team with Murphy and Blackmon. That gives you a good 4 to work with. 

3] They greatly need a PAIR of OL. There's various ways to mix and match at C and G, but TWO is a MUST. Maybe Brandel is best at C? (He's practiced some there but never appeared in a game to my knowledge). I wouldn't mind a solid #3 G, but that's not a top priority.

4] A talented young RB is a definite. Again, I'm interested in Jones for 1yr if the cost is acceptable. Then you can look for his replacement in 2026. IF they trade back, I can see drafted a PAIR this upcoming cycle and letting Jones walk.

5] Safety looks solid with what they have if Bynum is back. But if Harry retires, I'd look for a S in the mid rounds if they trade back for additional picks.

I don't move Addison at this time. They've got him for 3 more years, and might work out an extension after next year. They'll probably not spend ALL of their FA $ in a single offseason. Plus, we have the best cap man in the business, and I wouldn't doubt a few deals get reworked with some bonus $ to free up additional $ for this season and next.

But when you add it all up, what they NEED between FA and the draft is 7 or 8 GOOD additons...and maybe a couple depth pieces...to really SET each position group. IDK if you can get that done in ONE offseason via FA and the draft. Maybe. Between re-signs and 3 or 4 really good FA, you're probably tapped out $ wise, maybe leaving a little on the table for 2026. Only 4 picks in the upcoming draft, and only 2 the first 2 days, might not allow them to address everything all at once. Which is why I say it might be 2 years to really complete the roster as I see it.

I think Darnold has real value, but can they risk franchising him and then trade him? I'm not certain if that works. But he's adds a pick for 2026 if he walks. And Robinson might bring a pick back as well. All TBD since the formula is based on losses vs signings. So it's possible neither brings back a pick.

IF they trade back successfully, and can get the right FA without messing up the TOTAL payroll, they just might add all 7-8 players they need. But FIRST comes re-signs and FA before we can talk about the draft.

I have zero faith they can draft well, even if they picked first

[Mike Sixel]

I don't think they'll get the top OG, but they'll get the next one. 

I think Darnold is gone. Their plan was to build around a rookie QB, and they have him. 

I think they trade down on day one 

I think they re-sign Murphy, unless Flores leaves, then I'm not sure what Murphy decides. 

They'll sign a decent CB in free agency, and a low level one. 

They'll consider dealing Hockenson and Addison, but keep them both. 

They'll likely add a DT in free agency, and their first pick will be either OG, DT, or DB. 

[nicksaviking]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I have zero faith they can draft well, even if they picked first

Yeah, hard to do a two year plan when you have three consecutive years of drafts that have yet to show results.

[TheLeviathan]

Milton Williams is a DT to watch for the Vikes.  

I'm starting to wonder if they don't tag and trade Darnold.

[DocBauer]

4 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I have zero faith they can draft well, even if they picked first

I don't have great faith, but I have some hopes. They completely blew the 2022 draft! But they got 2 starters and a decent 3rd player in 2023. And so far, 2024 looks encouraging. And they've done well with FA and some rookie FA, so there IS an eye for talent working there.

So I have a little hope they might be figuring it out.

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

I don't have great faith, but I have some hopes. They completely blew the 2022 draft! But they got 2 starters and a decent 3rd player in 2023. And so far, 2024 looks encouraging. And they've done well with FA and some rookie FA, so there IS an eye for talent working there.

So I have a little hope they might be figuring it out.

Outside of Addison, who is the second starter and third good player? Blackmon and Ward? I wouldn't call Blackmon a starter and I haven't seen anything to suggest either are good players.

[DocBauer]

71.8 PFF grade for Blackmon as a rookie in 2023 where he was a starter or top reserve for about half the season. Definitely a good grade, 9 PBU and an interception as a rookie. He was penciled in as a probable starter before getting hurt and the FO having to scramble some.

And yes, in his 2nd season and the current #5 S, Ward offers some potential and has been a decent ST performer. 

Compared to the 2022 class, 2023 looks almost outstanding. 

[Mike Sixel]

The #Vikings and coach Kevin O’Connell have agreed to a multi-year extension.

[gunnarthor]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

The #Vikings and coach Kevin O’Connell have agreed to a multi-year extension.

Very good news.

[Mike Sixel]

A review from my son...

 

Fits right in with their history of a winning record and nothing to show for it. Perfect coach for our ownership

[Vanimal46]

33 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

A review from my son...

 

Fits right in with their history of a winning record and nothing to show for it. Perfect coach for our ownership

No team would ever let a coach walk when they win 67% of the time. 

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

No team would ever let a coach walk when they win 67% of the time. 

Why you using logic to talk to a fan 😀 who isn't even on the board?

[Aggies7]

KOC named coach of the year by the professional football writers of America

https://www.vikings.com/news/kevin-o-connell-pwfa-nfl-coach-of-the-year-2024

[Vanimal46]

Playing around on spotrac's manage team feature... Here's a rough draft of what I'd like to happen for the first wave of free agency. Trying to use Kwesi's tendencies and his love of void years added to contracts. 

Re-Structure: 

TJ Hockenson cutting his cap hit from $17 million to $9 million by their conversion and 1 void year added.

Release:

RG Ed Ingram saving $3 million

C Garrett Bradbury saving $3.6 million

Free Agents:

 RG Trey Smith - He's 25 and every team is going to want him on their OL. My guess is 5 years $140 million. With most of that guaranteed and I'll pay up. 

C Drew Dahlman - 26 years old and finishing up his time in Atlanta. 4/$50 ish range.

CB Byron Murphy Jr - 27 years old and with Flores back, he'll want to come back. 2/$20 ish range.

LG Brandon Scherff - bring the Iowa guy back home. 1 year deal 

QB Daniel Jones - You're next in the KOC rehab program. 1/$5-7 million. 

DT Milton Williams - 4/$60 ish range?

 

[Mike Sixel]

You are waaaaaaay low on Murphy. Why not keep Ingram as a backup? The line was worse with risner....

[TheLeviathan]

Yeah, I think Murphy gets 15M per year easily.  I'm also on board with keeping Ingram as a backup.

Vikings don't have enough under contract players to cut any on rookie deals.

But I like the investments in the line!

[gunnarthor]

2 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Playing around on spotrac's manage team feature... Here's a rough draft of what I'd like to happen for the first wave of free agency. Trying to use Kwesi's tendencies and his love of void years added to contracts. 

Re-Structure: 

TJ Hockenson cutting his cap hit from $17 million to $9 million by their conversion and 1 void year added.

Release:

RG Ed Ingram saving $3 million

C Garrett Bradbury saving $3.6 million

Free Agents:

 RG Trey Smith - He's 25 and every team is going to want him on their OL. My guess is 5 years $140 million. With most of that guaranteed and I'll pay up. 

C Drew Dahlman - 26 years old and finishing up his time in Atlanta. 4/$50 ish range.

CB Byron Murphy Jr - 27 years old and with Flores back, he'll want to come back. 2/$20 ish range.

LG Brandon Scherff - bring the Iowa guy back home. 1 year deal 

QB Daniel Jones - You're next in the KOC rehab program. 1/$5-7 million. 

DT Milton Williams - 4/$60 ish range?

 

I would say if we got Smith and one of the other two lineman, I'd be more than thrilled.

[DocBauer]

Kwesi has done a good job managing the roster as whole, and did a tremendous job in FA last offseason. His drafts have been AWFUL to better each of his 3 seasons. His UDFA signings have been almost as successful as the drafts. (YES, I recognize is scouts and not JUST Kwesi).

I'm not IN on keeping Ingram as a backup G. I'm still pi**ed that they didn't keep the young G in camp last year, Robinson I believe, that "almost" made the initial roster. He impressed the HELL out of me in preseason to the point I thought he should not only be kept, but maybe given an opportunity to push Ingram for the starting spot. Alas, someone signed him off the practice squad. As bad as Ingram has been, I'd wager a 5th round pick or smaller FA signing would be better. 

I've had arguements with one of my sons that IN NO WAY should the Vikings spend their 1st round pick on an IOL! But then I mention how incredible McDaniel was for us at G, and the CENTER position being so good for DECADES before recent poor performances. 

I'm IGNORING any draft options pending FA, and any sort of Donaldson sign and trade options. Just too many wheels turning to do so.

My FIRST priorities are bringing Bynum and Murphy back. Next is another CB, then a  DL and OL. There's a decent chance FA and re-signs MIGHT take care of that. But it's a mixed bag. IF they sign TWO OL, then maybe CB is the top draft priority. 

And I'd be happy to bring back Jones on a similar $7M 1 year deal and draft a young RB to work with him before the younger player takes over. Does a 30yo + RB really have a market? 

I'm really excited about the future of this team. But 2025 is SO DEPENDENT on FA and any possible Darnold sign and trade for extra picks that the only thing I'm looking at RIGHT NOW, is a few re-worked deals to add to the FA $, and who they sign. THEN I'll start to focus on the draft and how many picks they have.

It's POSSIBLE they get everything they need and want in ONE offseason. I've just always thought they were on a 2 year cycle with a young QB and talent on hand and financial flexibility. The problem is other teams are also in place when it comes to FA. 

[Mike Sixel]

O'Connell coach of the year. Flores second among assistants

[TheLeviathan]

12 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

O'Connell coach of the year. Flores second among assistants

It's well deserved.  Dude won 14 games with a guy who was all but drummed out of having a shot to start at QB.

(And...likely will be re-drummed out within 2 years)

[Parfigliano]

On 1/19/2025 at 10:37 AM, Mike Sixel said:

I have zero faith they can draft well, even if they picked first

Should be bye bye Kwesi before this draft

[nicksaviking]

7 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Should be bye bye Kwesi before this draft

Well I guess free agency is prior to the draft so as long as he's there for that. But considering he keeps knocking that part of the job out of the park, I'm guessing you're going to have to live with his bad drafts for at least another year.

[DocBauer]

On 2/7/2025 at 10:31 AM, Parfigliano said:

Should be bye bye Kwesi before this draft

Completely disagree.

His first draft in 2022 turned out HORRIBLE. Not sure there's any other way to paint it. Bad luck with injuries and a couple questionable picks gave the Vikes a backup RB and a good ST LB and that's all it appears. Just terrible! Nailor, if he continues to be healthy, might be the saving grace of this draft class.

But getting Addison, Blackmon and a decent ST and decent reserve DB in Ward, along with a couple good rookie FA wasn't a bad 2023.

But 2024 appears to be a potential windfall for Kwesi. They drafted the QB of the future that I have a lot of faith in. They got a very young stud LB with a bright future. The tragic death of CB Jackson, and all his potential, is not on Kwesi. A stud K and a pair of late round OL that show real potential, and the potential of LDR makes this a very good draft.   They also added, again, a couple really good looking RFA that might be a part of the team for the next few years. 

And his FA signings for 2024 were absolutely all positives. 

After the poor 2022 draft and making decisions like drafting young QB Hall, who showed improvement, and then cutting him for a lackluster journeyman, and a couple other moves I won't get in to, had me really doubting Kwesi.

But his drafts have gotten better. His RFA signings have been surprisingly good. Has he been listening to his scouts more? Or did he just have bad luck out of the gate?

His FA signings for 2024 were all perfect. Did ANYONE really expect Darnold to excel the way he did??

2025, with tons of $ to spend and a limited draft might just define how good of a GM he really is. Is there a scenario where we can franchise Darnold and move him for a couple of picks? Sure seems like a few teams would gladly give up a 2nd and 3rd rounder for him vs a poor QB draft class. That could be HUGE.

Again, I've thought the competitive rebuild was a 2yr process. But with a TON of FA $ to spend, and the POTENTIAL to add a couple picks with a franchise and trade of Darnold, it's possible to keep and add to this roster for 2025 and the future.

But I've seen enough from Kwesi the last season and a half to believe he's figuring it out to be building something pretty damn good.

 

 

 

 

 

[gunnarthor]

This mock draft has the Vikings trading down six spots with the Bills and picking up two extra fourth round picks in exchange. https://www.nfl.com/news/three-round-2025-nfl-mock-draft-round-one

They have us taking a corner at 30 and a RB for our comp pick in the third round. I'm not sure those are exactly what we'd be looking at but I wouldn't be surprised if we did something sort of like this. I don't think we'll trade out of the first round.

[Mike Sixel]

32 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

This mock draft has the Vikings trading down six spots with the Bills and picking up two extra fourth round picks in exchange. https://www.nfl.com/news/three-round-2025-nfl-mock-draft-round-one

They have us taking a corner at 30 and a RB for our comp pick in the third round. I'm not sure those are exactly what we'd be looking at but I wouldn't be surprised if we did something sort of like this. I don't think we'll trade out of the first round.

Take Grant there. Unless they haven't signed OGs...

Seriously.

[nicksaviking]

25 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Take Grant there. Unless they haven't signed OGs...

Seriously.

Yeah, don't trade out from the significantly better player for 4th round picks.

That mock looked pretty bad overall to me though. 

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, nicksaviking said:

Yeah, don't trade out from the significantly better player for 4th round picks.

That mock looked pretty bad overall to me though. 

Agreed on both points. 

[TheLeviathan]

Let's go again now that PFN released a seven round mock and using Spotrac's manage roster.

Smith Retires

Restructure O'Neill - save 12M

3 year extension with Josh Oliver - save 3M

3 year extension with Josh Metellus - save 2.5M

Cut Ed Ingram (save 3M)

Resign Theo Jackson 2.5M

Resign Byron Murphy Jr. 4 year 17M, initial cap hit of 12M

Resign Cam Bynum 4 years 15M, initial cap hit of 10M

Sign Cam Akers  - 1 year 1.5M

Sign Brandon Powell - 1 year 1.5M

Resign Mundt 1 year 1.5M

Resign Dan Feeney 1.5M

Resign Jalen Redmond 2 years 6M

 

Available Salary Cap for FA: 49M

Sign CB DJ Reed - cap hit 12M

Sign QB Taylor Heinicke - cap hit 2M

Sign DT Javon Kinlaw - 3M

Sign DL Emmanuel Ogbah - 2M

Sign OG Mekhi Becton - cap hit 6M

Sign OG/OT Cody Ford - 2M

Sign Erick Kendricks - 2M

 

Draft: (Starting picks 24, 97, 140, 161)

Trade 24 for 30, 108, and 131

Pick 30 DT Kenneth Grant

Trade 97 and 108 for 86 and 130

Pick 86: RB Cam Skattebo

Pick 130: S Jaylen Reed

Pick 131: CB Jabbar Muhammed

Pick 140: DT Jordan Phillips

Pick 161: RB RJ Harvey

 

QB - McCarthy, Heinecke, Rypien

RB - Skattebo, Harvey, Akers, Ham

WR - JJ, Addison, Powell, Nailor, Trishton Jackson

TE - Hockenson, Oliver, Mundt

OT - Darrisaw, O'Neill, Ford, Rouse

OG - Becton, Brandel, Feeney

C - Bradbury, Jurgens

DL - Grant, Ogbah, Kinlaw, Harrison Phillips, Jordan Phillips, Redmond, LDR

OLB - Greenard, Van Ginkel, Turner, Murphy

MLB - Cashman, Pace, Asamoah, Kendricks

CB - Murphy, DJ Reed, Blackmon, Muhammed, McGlothern

S - Metellus, Bynum, Jackson, Ward, Jaylen Reed

Specialists - Reichard, DePaula, Some Punt Guy