2025 Vikings Offseason

[TheLeviathan]

3 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Turner couldn't get on the field the last two games. Is he even on the field half the time next year? He's one reason they don't have picks this year. 

Cine was a disaster. He traded down and utterly missed. 

I guess we'll see this year, but I can already hear the excuses that he just didn't have many picks to work with. 

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitNo02.htm

This is Turner's path.  Don't give up on him....he's incredibly young.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, TheLeviathan said:

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitNo02.htm

This is Turner's path.  Don't give up on him....he's incredibly young.

I don't care how old he is. They control his contact for a limited number of years. If he wastes the first two, that's not good .

[TheLeviathan]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I don't care how old he is. They control his contact for a limited number of years. If he wastes the first two, that's not good .

This is how the Philadelphia Eagles built the roster they did, including on their offensive line.  Ditto the Chiefs and Bills and especially the Ravens. You invest in talent - talent that might take a year or two to establish or coach up, but talent.  

They have him for 5 years, if they get even three good to great years out of it....that's a successful pick.    And if it's successful, you give him his second contract that runs through his absolute prime years.

[Mike Sixel]

 

 

[gunnarthor]

Vikings trade for RB Mason. https://www.dailynorseman.com/2025/3/15/24386849/vikings-trade-with-49ers-for-rb-jordan-mason

I really liked Mason when we've seen him, he's definitely a bigger back. He also signed a 2 year/7m contract with the Vikings. Gave up the 6th we got for Ingram and the Vikes and 49ers switched picks 160 and 187.

[Parfigliano]

1 minute ago, gunnarthor said:

Vikings trade for RB Mason. https://www.dailynorseman.com/2025/3/15/24386849/vikings-trade-with-49ers-for-rb-jordan-mason

I really liked Mason when we've seen him, he's definitely a bigger back. He also signed a 2 year/7m contract with the Vikings. Gave up the 6th we got for Ingram and the Vikes and 49ers switched picks 160 and 187.

I heard it was 2yr/$12mil and $7 guaranteed.  Either way should lighten Jones load.

[TheLeviathan]

They got Mason for Ingram and moving back 27 picks.  That's a great deal.

He's your "plow into the end zone" guy we've been wanting!

[Mike Sixel]

13 hours ago, gunnarthor said:

Vikings trade for RB Mason. https://www.dailynorseman.com/2025/3/15/24386849/vikings-trade-with-49ers-for-rb-jordan-mason

I really liked Mason when we've seen him, he's definitely a bigger back. He also signed a 2 year/7m contract with the Vikings. Gave up the 6th we got for Ingram and the Vikes and 49ers switched picks 160 and 187.

I like this deal, as it likely takes RB out of the third round. Also, that's what my deleted bluesky post was about...

[gunnarthor]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

I like this deal, as it likely takes RB out of the third round. Also, that's what my deleted bluesky post was about...

I'm not sure this precludes is from taking a rb in the 3rd, depending on how things shake out. Jones could be a one year thing and cut. Not a huge cap penalty. Mason is underrated but getting a home run back to pair with him isn't unreasonable. 

But with DL and CB options,  you're probably right. 

[gunnarthor]

3 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

They got Mason for Ingram and moving back 27 picks.  That's a great deal.

He's your "plow into the end zone" guy we've been wanting!

49ers SBNation site doesn't like the trade. Good sign. 

[Danchat]

15 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

I heard it was 2yr/$12mil and $7 guaranteed. 

It's "up to $12M" which usually means it is a 2/$7M unless the player hits hard to reach incentives, and if they do then they are worth the extra money.

Feels like a steal for a very solid RB whose skillset is a great match for Jones'. He can take some of the workload and his bigger body is perfect for wearing down defenses while Jones can be more of the home-run hitter and handle 3rd downs, recovering Mason's shortcomings.

I also wouldn't rule out spending a 3rd or other pick on a RB given how deep this class is, and the odds are Jones does not have two quality years left so they may need to pair someone with Mason in 2026.

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, Danchat said:

It's "up to $12M" which usually means it is a 2/$7M unless the player hits hard to reach incentives, and if they do then they are worth the extra money.

Feels like a steal for a very solid RB whose skillset is a great match for Jones'. He can take some of the workload and his bigger body is perfect for wearing down defenses while Jones can be more of the home-run hitter and handle 3rd downs, recovering Mason's shortcomings.

I also wouldn't rule out spending a 3rd or other pick on a RB given how deep this class is, and the odds are Jones does not have two quality years left so they may need to pair someone with Mason in 2026.

Except they still need at least one CB, likely a safety, an OG and DL. They do not need another RB this year. CB and safety take more than one training camp to get up to speed possibly, too, so take them this year. I get others disagree, but I'd rather have another position than RB given how few picks they have. 

[Danchat]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Except they still need at least one CB, likely a safety, an OG and DL. They do not need another RB this year. CB and safety take more than one training camp to get up to speed possibly, too, so take them this year. I get others disagree, but I'd rather have another position than RB given how few picks they have. 

I'd prefer they'd go BPA rather than drafting to fill their current needs. The DT/RB classes are deep and will probably have a guy on the board that will be worth pick #97. It's a bad iOL class and middling CB/S class comparatively. I would like to start developing another Day 3 safety with the way we keep hitting on them, as well as another body at WR. It'd help if they could trade down and pick up another 3rd or 4th rounder.

The guy they take at #97 is more than likely not going to help the 2025 team right away, so I'm fine taking an RB who is there to play a big role in 2026 - and potentially mix with Mason if Jones misses games, which I suspect will happen.

[TheLeviathan]

30 minutes ago, Danchat said:

I'd prefer they'd go BPA rather than drafting to fill their current needs. The DT/RB classes are deep and will probably have a guy on the board that will be worth pick #97. It's a bad iOL class and middling CB/S class comparatively. I would like to start developing another Day 3 safety with the way we keep hitting on them, as well as another body at WR. It'd help if they could trade down and pick up another 3rd or 4th rounder.

The guy they take at #97 is more than likely not going to help the 2025 team right away, so I'm fine taking an RB who is there to play a big role in 2026 - and potentially mix with Mason if Jones misses games, which I suspect will happen.

Right, plus @Mike Sixel I think "need" is a bit strong on those positions.  Brandel is a fine guard.  Metellus/Smith/Jackson is fine at safety.  DT group is solid.  Top three corners are good.

Could they add to those position groups?  Certainly.  But let's also be blunt....that 5th rounder 30 spots higher wasn't going to make or break any of those groups.  Nor is next year's 6th.  Whereas Mason quite clearly is a massive upgrade over Chandler at 4M.  4M ain't buying you much of an upgrade anywhere other than RB.

[Mike Sixel]

51 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

Right, plus @Mike Sixel I think "need" is a bit strong on those positions.  Brandel is a fine guard.  Metellus/Smith/Jackson is fine at safety.  DT group is solid.  Top three corners are good.

Could they add to those position groups?  Certainly.  But let's also be blunt....that 5th rounder 30 spots higher wasn't going to make or break any of those groups.  Nor is next year's 6th.  Whereas Mason quite clearly is a massive upgrade over Chandler at 4M.  4M ain't buying you much of an upgrade anywhere other than RB.

Smith is slower than me.... But sure, need is a strong word, not it's a lot harder to find an ok safety or corner mid season than RB. I like the trade, don't use more assets on RB.... Not early. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Danchat said:

I'd prefer they'd go BPA rather than drafting to fill their current needs. The DT/RB classes are deep and will probably have a guy on the board that will be worth pick #97. It's a bad iOL class and middling CB/S class comparatively. I would like to start developing another Day 3 safety with the way we keep hitting on them, as well as another body at WR. It'd help if they could trade down and pick up another 3rd or 4th rounder.

The guy they take at #97 is more than likely not going to help the 2025 team right away, so I'm fine taking an RB who is there to play a big role in 2026 - and potentially mix with Mason if Jones misses games, which I suspect will happen.

It's a bad safety class, so take one even later? Also, Smith is gone after this year, so they need one next year. 

[gunnarthor]

21 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

It's a bad safety class, so take one even later? Also, Smith is gone after this year, so they need one next year. 

There are two pretty solid safeties that could be there at 24 - Nick Emmanwori and Malaki Starks. Both seem like good fits for Flores' scheme. I think with the nice moves we've seen, the Vikings could go a lot of ways in the draft.

[Mike Sixel]

To be clear, I think they've done a great job of filling holes, and can go most any direction other than QB.....I just have preferences for most anything other than RB or TE. 

[Fatbat]

On 1/13/2025 at 10:23 PM, Mike Sixel said:

Ol, ol, ol. Just buy two OL in free agency. 

Might want to make Turner play, since you used all those picks on him. 

Let Darnold walk. He's a backup. I was fooled.

I won't be upset if they fire everyone but Flores, but I won't be happy either. 

3 OL signed and one traded for a sledgehammer RB. They must have been listening to you! 

[Fatbat]

22 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

To be clear, I think they've done a great job of filling holes, and can go most any direction other than QB.....I just have preferences for most anything other than RB or TE. 

At pick 24, A stud WR has had a history of falling to us. An elite Safety could be there for us as well is possible. I would prefer quality over quantity at 24 instead of trading back. 

[TheLeviathan]

1 hour ago, Fatbat said:

At pick 24, A stud WR has had a history of falling to us. An elite Safety could be there for us as well is possible. I would prefer quality over quantity at 24 instead of trading back. 

Sorta depends how far you trade back, no?

If you slide back somewhere in the 27-32 range and snag another top 100 pick, it's worth it I think.

[Fatbat]

7 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

Sorta depends how far you trade back, no?

If you slide back somewhere in the 27-32 range and snag another top 100 pick, it's worth it I think.

If there is a dance partner and still excellent chance at talent 6 picks later, you know they will trade down.

[Fatbat]

The trade for Mason was huge because the assets given up can be easily replaced. just having him to split time with the rest of the RB’s makes them more valuable. Fresh legs and less chance of injury. If you aren’t excited about this sledgehammer, stop watching football. 
we can do just fine in a deep draft with the 4 picks that we have but I would bet that we do at least 2 trades. 

 

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

The trade for Mason was huge because the assets given up can be easily replaced. just having him to split time with the rest of the RB’s makes them more valuable. Fresh legs and less chance of injury. If you aren’t excited about this sledgehammer, stop watching football. 
we can do just fine in a deep draft with the 4 picks that we have but I would bet that we do at least 2 trades. 

 

I'll be surprised if they don't trade down from 97, or whatever it is.... Even the first, but I bet they take Grant if he's there

[Fatbat]

22 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'll be surprised if they don't trade down from 97, or whatever it is.... Even the first, but I bet they take Grant if he's there

Loveland, Burden, Nolan or Starks if Grant isn't there.  I’d bet Grant will be gone. 

[DocBauer]

They need to figure out the 2nd QB before they do anything else. Are they going to pull the trigger on Rogers? I'm not going to get in to that, but if the answer is no, they've got a couple older 30+ QB to be mentors and a couple under 30yo options who might have some upside under KOC.

In addition to having enough $ left over for the draft, and UDFA, they need some depth pieces like a #3 TE. 

But they still might have enough $ left over for a couple bigger moves. They need another IOL for depth if not competition. And there's a handful of good/decent ones still out there. One more proven CB could really solidify the defense. And again, there's a handful of good/decent ones out there. A WR to compete for the #3 spot? Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Grugier-Hill back.

An OL, CB, WR, TE, and maybe a LB might be too much to ask at this point other than depth pieces. But a couple more additions that might actually compete for primary spots in addition to depth would be nice. It would give Kwesi even more ability to just draft the BPA.

There's no guarantee we will trade down in the 1st, or out of it, but I think there's a good chance it will happen if there's a decent collection of talent still sitting there.

I think a top young S is a strong possibility. I'm not opposed to another talented young RB in a deep class for additional depth and future potential. A late TE with potential could make some sense. But the better they do to flesh out the roster over the next few weeks will make this draft interesting in a unique way if BPA is truly open to them with each pick.

[Mike Sixel]

I don't care who the backup QB is. Of the guys left, no one is winning kits of games.... Maybe Flacco? It's just not important at this point..

[Fatbat]

12 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

They need to figure out the 2nd QB before they do anything else. Are they going to pull the trigger on Rogers? I'm not going to get in to that, but if the answer is no, they've got a couple older 30+ QB to be mentors and a couple under 30yo options who might have some upside under KOC.

In addition to having enough $ left over for the draft, and UDFA, they need some depth pieces like a #3 TE. 

But they still might have enough $ left over for a couple bigger moves. They need another IOL for depth if not competition. And there's a handful of good/decent ones still out there. One more proven CB could really solidify the defense. And again, there's a handful of good/decent ones out there. A WR to compete for the #3 spot? Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Grugier-Hill back.

An OL, CB, WR, TE, and maybe a LB might be too much to ask at this point other than depth pieces. But a couple more additions that might actually compete for primary spots in addition to depth would be nice. It would give Kwesi even more ability to just draft the BPA.

There's no guarantee we will trade down in the 1st, or out of it, but I think there's a good chance it will happen if there's a decent collection of talent still sitting there.

I think a top young S is a strong possibility. I'm not opposed to another talented young RB in a deep class for additional depth and future potential. A late TE with potential could make some sense. But the better they do to flesh out the roster over the next few weeks will make this draft interesting in a unique way if BPA is truly open to them with each pick.

I think they brought in a DB or Safety today for a visit. Can’t remember his name tho. 
picking at 24 means that at least 3 guys that are rated top 2 or 3 at a few positions will still be on the board.  We definitely need depth at OL, DT, TE, S, DB 

We need to hit a couple HR’s on draft picks this year to keep a pool of young talent in the system. No more horrible draft choices!

[TheLeviathan]

10 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I don't care who the backup QB is. Of the guys left, no one is winning kits of games.... Maybe Flacco? It's just not important at this point..

Agreed, but the longer we go without a backup the weirder this Rodgers thing is.

[Fatbat]

10 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Jeff Okudah just signed a 1 yr contract with the Vikes. Huge signing!!