Realistic Vikings Free Agents for 2016: Defense

Free Agency

by Adam Patrick - Feb 17, 2016

tempbest-of-team-012916-1-010--nfl_mezz_1280_1024 — Image courtesy of Vikings,com

Last week, it was all about the offensive and special teams free agents that could potentially land in Minnesota this offseason. This week, it is all about the defense.

For a unit that ranked fifth in points allowed last season, one would think that the Vikings do not have much to improve upon for 2016. However, improving in a few areas this offseason with free agent signings could help propel Minnesota’s defense into one of the NFL’s best in more categories than just points allowed.

Finding a safety to play next to Harrison Smith is priority number one on this defense’s offseason checklist, as well as improving the play at few other positions. The Vikings, who spent the fourth least amount on free agents last offseason, will likely bring in players who put a smaller dent in their wallet and shy away from the free agents looking for their big payday.

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5 Dream Vikings Draft Picks [PODCAST]

Podcast

by Andy Carlson - Feb 16, 2016

DRAFT SEASON IS UPON US! Luke Inman (@Luke_Spinman) joins us to chat about five draft studs at positions of need for the Minnesota Fightin’ Vikings and how we might be able to get out mitts on em.

The Five Dream Prospects Are:
• Myles Jack – LB – UCLA
• Laquon Treadwell – WR – Ole Miss
• Ronnie Stanley – LT – Notre Dame
• Jalen Ramsey – CB/S – Florida State
• Su’a Cravens – LB – USC

All that and other “Would Spielman actually trade up?” nonsense on this edition of the Purple FTW! Podcast.

Hit up all of Luke’s stuff at eDraft and Cold Omaha.

An Andy Carlson Joint

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Report: Vikings “Likely” to Play Lions on Thanksgiving

General News

by Austin Belisle - Feb 16, 2016

Thanksgiving for Minnesota Vikings — Image courtesy of Vikings.com

The NFL’s slate of games won’t be released for another two months, but schedule-makers are already planning an exciting Thanksgiving for Minnesota Vikings fans. According to a report from the Sports Business Journal, the Vikings are “likely” to play the Detroit Lions on Turkey Day.

Minnesota hasn’t played on Thanksgiving since 2000, when they defeated the Dallas Cowboys 27-15. The Vikings are 5-1 all-time in Thanksgiving Day games, with both of their most recent victories coming against the Cowboys. In 1998, Randy Moss famously caught three passes, all of which resulted in touchdowns. That dominating team would go on to win the game 46-36 and finish the season 15-1.

Below, a look at the results from each of Minnesota’s Turkey Day games, per the team’s official website:

11/27/1969 vs. Detroit, 27-0 W
11/26/1987 vs. Dallas, 44-38 W OT
11/24/1988 vs. Detroit, 23-0 W
11/23/1995 vs. Detroit, 38-44 L
11/26/1998 vs. Dallas, 46-36 W
11/23/2000 vs. Dallas, 27-15 W

Historically, the Vikings have fared well against the Lions on Thanksgiving. Although their lone loss came at the hands of Detroit in 1995, they’ve outscored the Lions 88 to 44 in three total games.

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Scouting Report: Cody Whitehair

Scouting Reports

by Carl Knowles - Feb 16, 2016

Cody Whitehair is a 50 game starter with experience at both guard and tackle. The senior offensive lineman and team captain for the Wildcats displays veteran leadership with good awareness and an exceptional work ethic. Whitehair brings a tough, physical attitude and non-stop competitiveness from snap through the whistle.

Cody Whitehair | OG, Kansas State

Measurements

Height: 6-4
Weight: 305
Age: 23

At A Glance

First Team All-Big 12. Academic All-Big 12. Kansas State Offensive co-MVP. Honorable Mention Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. Preseason Outland Trophy Watch List.

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MOCK DRAFT: Warwas Version 1.0

NFL Draft 2016

by Adam Warwas - Feb 15, 2016

See my entire first 2016 NFL Mock Draft by CLICKING HERE.

Last year, I produced version 1.0 of my mock draft in January and had the Vikings selecting cornerback Trae Waynes 11th overall. I never wavered from that pick, one that would subsequently become very popular and then very unpopular, and repeatedly had the Vikings selecting Waynes in every version of my Mock Draft after that.

Picking 12 spots later, and a much more flexible roster makeup, I am highly unlikely to repeat the boring redundancy that was my 2015 mock drafts.

The pick, of course, ended up being Waynes and it was met with disdain from a healthy portion of Minnesota’s fan base. Many preferred the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year, cornerback Marcus Peters, and others thought that it was a wasted pick. A number of Twitter arguments started with the assertion that Xavier Rhodes, Captain Munnerlyn and Josh Robinson made the first round investment into the cornerback position a waste.

Well, if you’ve been around here for awhile, you know that I care not for your perceived needs when it comes to the NFL Draft and it is equally likely that you’ll care not for my first version of my 2016 NFL Mock Draft.

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