Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Cornerback Xavien Howard of the Miami Dolphins (25) is reflected on the visor of NFC wide receiver Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers (19) as Samuel is tackled by AFC free safety Kevin Byard of the Tennessee Titans (31) during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
VikingsTerritory‘s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle each week. All the week’s rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for review. Today is the April 23rd edition.
Remember — rumors are rumors. What you read on weekends in these pieces is what the world is talking about pertaining to the Vikings, not necessarily items that will come to fruition.
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Yes, Deebo Samuel evidently wants out of San Francisco — an odd declaration because the 49ers are a consistent and sturdy organization. But they must’ve pissed him off.
Of course, the Vikings should trade for Samuel — if there was no salary cap. The maneuverability needed to acquire him would be unprecedented, as Minnesota also has to pay players like Justin Jefferson, Danielle Hunter, and Kirk Cousins.
Teams struggle to employ a $40 million QB and $30 million WR. How would the Vikings handle a $35 million QB plus two $30 million wideouts?
Not going to happen. This rumor was started by eager fans and substantiated in a “what if” capacity by some Vikings writers.
This one isn’t silly. We believe the Vikings would’ve drafted Willis in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Fans had no idea at the time [when Spielman was canned], but he might have wound down the Cousins era via trade and drafted Willis.
Here’s where that rumor comes from — a Tik Tok video, of all things. Plus, Spielman has chirped about Willis’ abilities all offseason.
This one came from the PFN Insiders Podcast.
On that show, Pro Football Network‘s Tony Pauline said:
“The Minnesota Vikings like cornerback Trent McDuffie, basically as much as they like Derek Stingley, and everyone has them taking Stingley with that 12th pick. Since the combine, the Vikings have said that their goal is to trade down out of that 12th spot to move deeper into the first round, collect extra selections on Day 2, and then they’ll take the best player that fits their needs, who I think is Trent McDuffie.”
– Tony Pauline | Pro Football Network
We feel this one is credible and will come to fruition. Ahmad Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr. won’t be there at #12 for Minnesota, so Kwesi Adofo-Mensah trades down, racks up some draft capital, and selects McDuffie.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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