Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) walks off the field after being ejected for fighting with Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown (95), not shown, during the fourth quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars blanked the Carolina Panthers 26-0. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union].
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the October 30th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Answer: Probably a solid B.
We’ll start by saying that “trade grades” or “draft pick grades” are a bit dumb and can’t be adjudicated until years down the road, especially draft picks.
If one wants the Vikings to capitalize on the 5-2 start in 2024 and pursue a playoff push, the deal is outstanding. It keeps skin in the game. However, if one believes Minnesota will miss the postseason or lose right away in the tournament, well, the transaction is silly because it cost a 5th-Rounder that could morph into a 4th.
It stinks that Minnesota will likely be without a 4th-Rounder in 2026, but a Robinson free-agent departure in March could fetch a compensatory pick.
The Vikings felt they could win now, and Robinson was the best possible solution. Darrisaw can’t be replaced, but Robinson is a decent consolation prize.
It would be really neat if he transformed into a decent run-blocker. Such has not been the case in Jacksonville.
Answer: Yes.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tucked Asamoah’s name into a trade speculation article this week with a few others and explained, “Veteran Buffalo safety Mike Edwards is available and would like to go somewhere he can play (he has been a steady inactive). Washington’s Darrick Forrest is in a similar situation, a former starter who’s out of the rotation and could need a fresh start elsewhere. Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah II, a former third-rounder who hasn’t made an impact in Brian Flores’ defense, is a trade candidate, too.”
Sending Asamoah elsewhere for a fresh start makes all the sense in the world for a couple of reasons. First, he doesn’t play on defense. Minnesota rotates off-ball linebackers Blake Cashman, Kamu Grugier-Hill, and the aforementioned Pace on Sundays, leaving Asamoah on the sidelines.
And last year, when former Viking Jordan Hicks battled compartment syndrome and missed a month, Minnesota did everything in its power not to get Asamoah on the field, subbing in Troy Dye and signing Anthony Barr.
Minnesota must also recoup lost draft capital sold in the trade for Dallas Turner six months ago.
Ivan Pace Jr. basically stole Asamoah’s job 14 months ago. He needs a fresh start. Get a 7th-Rounder for him.
Answer: As early as this Sunday night.
We expect Patrick Jones II’s snaps to dwindle — he might even get traded — and Turner to emerge as the third pass rusher.
Don’t be worried about Turner. He’s just living in a deep EDGE room at the moment. The Vikings will light his fuse very soon.
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 MIN 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.