10 Recommendations for the Vikings’ Next Roster Addition
The Minnesota Vikings added a couple of new players this week, mostly anonymous names for casual fans.
10 Recommendations for the Vikings’ Next Roster Addition
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, equipped with $21 million in cap space, will likely sign or trade for at least one notable player before summer’s end.
So, we asked VikingsTerritory writers for their roster addition recommendations. These are their responses.
1. J.C. Jackson (CB)
VT Recommender = Cole Smith
The 28-year-old CB began his career with the Patriots in 2018, overlapping with Brian Flores’ time as linebackers coach. In four years with New England, Jackson intercepted 25 passes. Although his production dipped with the Chargers the past two years, he is familiar enough with Flores’ system.
2. The WR Cut by Houston
VT Recommender = Dustin Baker
These are the Texans’ wide receivers entering training camp:
- Nico Collins
- Stefon Diggs
- Tank Dell
- Noah Brown
- Robert Woods
- John Metchie
- Ben Skowronek
- Xavier Hutchinson
- Johnny Johnson
- Quintez Cephus
- Steven Sims
- Jared Wayne
- Jaxon Janke
Houston will probably keep five or six from that list of 13, meaning over half are destined for the practice squad and free agency.
Woods will probably be the odd man out, and he has ties to Kevin O’Connell from the Los Angeles Rams days. Woods or Metchie would do the trick at WR3.
3. A Depth Pass-Rusher
VT Recommender = Kyle Joudry
If there is a veteran pass rusher who can still be effective on passing downs, then onboard that player. There’s no such thing as too many pass rushers, just like there’s no such thing as too many 3-point shooters in basketball or goal scorers in hockey. So, a general role/position: veteran pass rusher to be the EDGE4/5.
4. Hunter Renfrow (WR)
VT Recommender = Brevan Bane
Seemingly the easiest pick, but I’ll die on the hill that this move was, is, and will continue to be a no-brainer until it does or doesn’t happen.
5. Latavius Murray (RB)
VT Recommender = Janik Eckardt
Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler will handle most of the carries in the upcoming season, but the Vikings need a reliable third option in the backfield. Latavius Murray, the former Viking, can’t handle a significant workload anymore at age 34, but coming off a 300-yard season, he can still be a depth player, and his large frame and bruiser running style would provide a nice change to the two smaller top guys.
6. Adoree’ Jackson (CB)
VT Recommender = Wes Johnson
If early camp has taught us anything, you can’t have too many corners. Coaches will tease the idea of moving Camryn Bynum into more of a hybrid role, but why not add another player capable of being utilized in the same way? Jackson can also provide returning ability in a pinch if needed. He’s also young enough to fit with the team’s current structure.
7. Ahkello Witherspoon (CB)
VT Recommender = Adam New
Minnesota needs to add to the CB ranks, and there are a few veteran options still on the free-agent market. My choice would be Ahkello Witherspoon, who started 17 games last season for the Los Angeles Rams and snagged three interceptions.
8. Stephon Gilmore (CB)
VT Recommender = Ted Schwerzler
Assuming the Vikings are out on Xavien Howard due to the off-field issues, it’s time to make a play for Stephon Gilmore. The cornerback situation was already tenuous; now it’s dire.
9. Xavien Howard (CB)
VT Recommender = Ali Siddiqui
At age 31, he’s obviously not the same as before, but he can still play and would be a good mentor to the younger cornerbacks. He knows Brian Flores, too.
10. Nobody
VT Recommender = Henrique Gucciardi
I don’t think any free agent would be a big contributor, and the Vikings don’t have draft capital for a trade, so I would rather see if the likes of Andrew Booth and Dwight McGlothern show something before looking elsewhere.
A Weird Twist at Vikings Training Camp
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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