Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah at the 2023 NFL Combine the Week of February 27th. The Vikings have the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the November 8th 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: There are two — cornerback and defensive tackle.
The Vikings were in the rumor mill for these DTs at the trade deadline:
And these CBs:
So, yes, when the offseason rolls around, most onlookers will scream “DT” and “CB” for the primary draft or free-agency need. We don’t disagree.
Answer: Trending like Mac Jones.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Friday, “Doug Pederson said it’s trending to Trevor Lawrence not playing Sunday vs. Vikings and Mac Jones would start in his place.”
That means Jones is on the menu.
Answer: A veteran cornerback like Patrick Peterson — if something happens to Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy, or Shaquill Griffin.
If — when? — that injury happens, Minnesota will rely on Akayleb Evans, Fabian Moreau, or rookie Dwight McGlothern.
There’s also Patrick Peterson, though. Peterson joined The Zach Gelb Show a couple of weeks ago and opined on his playing future: “I’m still leaving the book open, Zach. I’m still training. I’m still working out because, you know, my mind is still in it. It’s not like I cannot physically play, or I feel like I can’t physically give my best. I feel like I still have, you know, enough in the tank to help a team win. But, you know, that decision is out of my hands, so for the most part I’m doing everything that I need to do just in case the phone do ring.”
The eight-time Pro Bowler last played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and is curiously unsigned at the moment. Peterson turned 34 in July — the same age as current Vikings CB1 Stephon Gilmore.
Gelb then pressed Peterson on destinations, asking if the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Vikings would move the needle for his prospective employment.
Peterson replied, “Exactly,” and specifically said about Minnesota, “Oh yeah, I would like to be there too, man. I love the coaching staff there. Me and Coach Kevin [O’Connell] had the opportunity to build a solid relationship over the nine months that I was with him. And it’s just a great feel and a great organization to be around, great guys to be around and show up to go to work with every day.”
If Gilmore, Murphy, or Griffin get hurt, we’d expect a veteran CB like Peterson to join the club.
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.