9 Bold Summer Predictions for the Vikings
Dustin Baker
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VikingsTerritory writers were asked to provide one single bold summer prediction apiece for the 2023 Minnesota Vikings. These are those.
Each writer somehow came up with a different selection — a totally random outcome.
9 Bold Summer Predictions for the Vikings
The Vikings put rookie minicamp in the rearview last weekend, setting sights on mandatory minicamp for all players on June 13th. Then, July brings training camp, and the preseason has three games in August.
Here are the VikingsTerritory writers’ bold summer predictions.
1. A New Punt Returner
Prediction Maker = Adam New
Brandon Powell beats out Jalen Reagor as the Vikings punt returner and wide receiver depth option alongside Jalen Nailor — leaving Minnesota the problem of Reagor’s almost $2.5 million guaranteed money to swallow.
2. Vikings Will Sign CB Marcus Peters
Prediction Maker = Ali Siddiqui
Peters is no longer the same player he once was, but he can still play. He won’t cost too much, and the Vikings still need cornerbacks. Outside of Byron Murphy, they are very unproven at corner.
3. A Trade for an Opening-Day Starter
Prediction Maker = Cole Smith
A big and bold summer Vikings prediction? Kwesi Adofo-Mensah swings a trade for an opening-day starter prior to training camp. With the Za’Darius Smith trade, the team has some salary cap space and could stand to add more talent to one of the worst defenses in the league.
4. Ivan Pace Emerges as a Starting LB
Prediction Maker = Dustin Baker
The objective of the exercise is to be bold — not just Jordan Addison wins WR2.
So, let’s roll with a Pace emergence. The only knock on the guy is ‘size,’ and if you’ve ever met smaller athletes in real life, they’re like pitbull-shark hybrids seeking to destroy you — chip-on-shoulder stuff.
Pace ascends a rather anonymous Vikings linebacker room and brings this to fruition:
5. Vikings Add Veteran EDGE Rusher
Prediction Maker = Kyle Joudry
Before training camp arrives, the Vikings add a veteran pass rusher to help fortify the EDGE spot. Hunter and Davenport are great, but both have injury concerns. Keep an eye on someone like Leonard Floyd — who won a Super Bowl with Kevin O’Connell in Los Angeles — as someone who may be a worthwhile addition.
6. DeWayne McBride Earns RB1 Gig
Prediction Maker = Janik Eckardt
The Vikings turn to a true running back committee after the eventual Dalvin Cook trade, but rookie DeWayne McBride impresses in training camp and claims the starting spot.
7. Tay Gowan Makes the 53-Man Roster
Prediction Maker = Josh Frey
Tay Gowan makes the 53-man roster this year. After being selected in the 6th Round of the 2021 Draft, Gowan has bounced around the league a bit before landing on the Vikings practice squad to finish the 2022 season. However, he played well in a short stint with the Eagles and should get another chance to provide depth for the Vikings in 2023.
8. Nobody Misses Dalvin Cook
Prediction Maker = Ted Schwerzler
Dalvin Cook won’t be missed. He’s a fan favorite, but he produced a career-worst type of season last year, and Mattison has been a dude for a while. The offense will be fine without him.
9. Vikings Sign OLB Frank Clark
Prediction Maker = Mitch Massman
The Vikings sign veteran pass rusher Frank Clark to a one-year deal. The Vikings are not necessarily ‘desperate’ for another pass rusher, but adding a quality player like Frank Clark would be massive to replace Za’Darius Smith. A one-year deal for $10-12 million.
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 Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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