Next Offseason, Vikings Will Have 3 Crucial Needs
The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2024 offseason with some drastic needs. They barely had any bodies left at the outside linebacker spots, let alone NFL-caliber talent. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah emphasized the acquisitions of Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Dallas Turner. He also added a running back and a pair of quarterbacks.
Next Offseason, Vikings Will Have 3 Crucial Needs
Next year, he will have some similar problems at other spots. With roughly eight months until free agency begins, we already know the three spots the Vikings need help at. Adofo-Mensah will only have a low number of draft choices, but the free cap space will help.
3. Cornerback
The last time the Vikings had a solid cornerback group was in 2019, the last year with the duo Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes. Since then, the front office keeps adding players who can’t really fill the void.
Byron Murphy was signed last offseason to be the team’s top cornerback. While he hasn’t entered elite CB territory, he’s been a trustworthy player. His teammates, however, have been up-and-down. Akayleb Evans started most of the season. Some contests were good, and others were a total disaster. He must gain some consistency. Fellow 2022 rookie Andrew Booth hasn’t been the second-rounder the Vikings envisioned when they selected him.
2023 third-rounder Mekhi Blackmon has shown some flashes, but the fact that he didn’t come close to Evans’ snap numbers is concerning. Veteran Shaquill Griffin was signed to provide some experienced help on the outside.
Griffin and Murphy are scheduled to become free agents, and the young players Blackmon, Booth, and Evans can hardly be considered a starting-caliber trio.
Every year, there are a handful of solid starters available in free agency, and the draft could be an option.
2. Running Back
The future of Minnesota’s backfield is a mystery. Aaron Jones was signed to replace Alexander Mattison, and barring a shocking decline from Jones, he will be a massive upgrade. Ty Chandler, last year’s breakout weapon, will support him.
However, Jones will be an unrestricted free agent one year from now, and at age 30, when free agency begins, the Vikings need a succession plan. Will he be worth another contract and can he still handle the RB1 role on the wrong side of 30? Chandler is also 26 years old, and it’s still unclear whether he can be a full-time top running back.
The free agency market is suspect, primarily filled with aging players and backups. On the flip side, the Vikings can’t waste any draft capital. It will be a tricky situation unless either Chandler explodes or Jones continues to play at a high level and wants to return for another season.
Adding a veteran free agent and a late-round rookie could make sense.
1. Defensive Line
The defensive line could be in trouble again in the upcoming season since the Vikings failed to acquire any top talent. Christian Wilkins joined Las Vegas, Arik Armstead moved to Jacksonville, and the Vikes missed out on rookie Byron Murphy.
Instead, it will once again be Harrison Phillips as the DT1, playing next to veterans Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery. That group is not inspiring at all, and in addition to that, all three are scheduled to hit free agency in 2024.
That leaves the franchise with Jaquelin Roy, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and some undrafted rookies.
The good news is that the draft class is projected to be fantastic at the DT position. Michigan’s Mason Graham, a former teammate of J.J. McCarthy, is one of the draft’s best prospects who shines with quickness, motor, and strength as a complete defensive tackle. In his sophomore season, Kentucky’s Deone Walker registered 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. Both Graham and Walker could hear their names called in the top ten of the 2025 draft.
Mykel Williams, out of Georgia, could be the next first-round interior defender from his alma mater, following in the footsteps of Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Devonte Wyatt in the last three drafts alone. Ole Miss defenders Princely Umanmielen, Walter Nolen, and Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams could all sneak into the first round. Some other candidates could emerge in the upcoming college season.
Sharrif Floyd, in 2013, was the last interior lineman selected with a first-rounder. Next April is a good chance to change that.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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