5 Bold Vikings Predictions for April
Twelve weeks of the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason are in the rearview, with free agency basically over and the 2024 NFL Draft 25 days away.
5 Bold Vikings Predictions for April
The club has signed new free agents this offseason, re-upped with internal players, and even executed a blockbuster trade two weeks ago in preparation for the draft, which will feel like a humongous crescendo. All Vikings fans’ eyes have turned to the draft, and rightfully so. The organization needs a quarterback of the future after Kirk Cousins departed for the Atlanta Falcons 2.5 weeks ago.
So, with the NFL draft less than four weeks away, these are the five bold predictions for the month of April, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most important event).
5. Promising WR3 Candidate Drafted in R4 or R5
For now, the Vikings WR3 battle would involve Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, and Trent Sherfield. That’s certainly enough bodies, but there is no clear frontrunner.
Well, in Round 4 or 5 of the draft, Minnesota will draft a WR3 who fans will label as a WR3 candidate. This draft is stuffed to the gills with promising WR3 types, even bloodline examples like Christian McCaffrey’s brother and Jerry Rice’s son.
The Vikings will find a WR3 candidate before the end of the draft in 3.5 weeks.
4. DT Will Be Vikings 2nd Pick of Event
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, and Jonah Williams at defensive tackle in free agency, but none of those men constitute steady contribution. They’re veteran lottery tickets.
Therefore, wherever the Vikings choose second during the draft — that man will play defensive tackle. Justin Eboigbe from Alabama would make sense.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said last week about DTs in the draft, “I think there’s going to be some really impactful options potentially there throughout the depth of the draft.”
3. Dalton Risner Signs with Eagles or Raiders
KFAN’s Paul Allen asked Adofo-Mensah about the chances of Risner returning in purple a few days ago, and the young executive replied, “Where we’ve wanted to be is best available. That’s where we’ve tried to set ourselves up both in a draft and acquisition standpoint. So every option is on the table. That’s all I can say about that.”
That made Risner sound like a goner.
Risner has also hired superagent Drew Rosenhaus since the start of free agency, so business should pick up for the veteran guard. Because of connections to previous Broncos coaches, Risner will sign with Philadelphia or Las Vegas.
2. Xavien Howard or Stephon Gilmore Signed
Brian Flores has previous employment connections to Howard and Gilmore, and signing either man is the only item separating the Vikings from showcasing a pretty sweet CB group.
Minnesota probably won’t have the capital for a high-profile corner in the draft. Adding Howard or Gilmore would totally put a bow on the group heading into 2024. Neither man will be too expensive.
1. Trade with NE + Drake Maye Drafted
After all the rumors and hubbub, Minnesota trades up the draftboard to the No. 3 spot with the New England Patriots, donating a king’s ransom to Jerod Mayo’s team. Minnesota then selects Drake Maye, ushering in a new era for life after Kirk Cousins.
All the smoke about Josh McCown’s link to Maye in high school comes true, and the Vikings kick off the Drake Maye era — Mayennesota.
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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 Vikings 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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