Questions Answered: Vikings Best-Kept Secret, Risner Mania, Next Signing
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the May 29th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Vikings Best-Kept Secret, Risner Mania, Next Signing
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.
Q: In your opinion, which player is the Vikings’ best-kept secret?
Answer: This one is actually pretty tricky. Probably Josh Metellus.
Metellus is versatile as hell, moving around the Vikings’ defense like a moth in 2023. And he’ll only get better as he further acclimates to Brian Flores’ system.
A case can be made for running back Ty Chandler, but his shine faded a bit when Minnesota signed Aaron Jones. Chandler was quietly wonderful in 2023 once handed the RB1 baton. Also, newcomer free agent Andrew Van Ginkel fired up a blistered 91.1 Pro Football Focus grade last year, and nobody outside of Miami really seemed to care.
Metellus, foremost — with side dishes of Chandler and Van Ginkel.
Q: Is Dalton Risner guaranteed to start in 2024 after rejoining the Vikings on Wednesday?
Answer: No.
He will probably start, but Minnesota’s coaching staff wasn’t shy about singing the praises of Blake Brandel this offseason. Wes Phillips, especially, is fond of Brandel.
“I’m really excited about Blake. I feel like he gets bigger every time I see him. He’s just a massive man on the inside. But he’s in great shape, he’s always been very coachable,” Phillps told reporters last week at organized team activities (OTAs). “You talk about technique, fundamentals, footwork, hand placement, all the things that are critical for the O-line — one false step for an O-lineman could be a catastrophe — it’s been very encouraging so far with him stepping into that starting spot on the left.”
Brandel cannot be ruled out, but it’s likely Risner’s job. The Vikings suddenly have offensive guard depth.
Q: Who will the Vikings sign next after Risner?
A: Our prediction is Cam Akers.
These are the team’s running backs as of May 29th:
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Ty Chandler
RB3: Kene Nwangwu
RB4: DeWayne McBride
RB5: Myles Gaskin
That’s certainly enough bodies, but Minnesota needs a more reliable RB3. Tailbacks always get hurt, and re-signing Akers on a dinker deal would ensure that RB3 is crossed off the list.
Akers also mentioned on social media at the start of the offseason that he wanted to return with the Vikings, so we believe this deal will get done.
DT Calais Campbell or WR Hunter Renfrow would be even sweeter.
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 MIN 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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