One Burning Question at Each Vikings Roster Spot
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings begin free agency, along with 31 other teams, in about four weeks.
The 2024 NFL Draft is less than 11 weeks ago, and Minnesota is scheduled to choose 11th on that Thursday evening.
One Burning Question at Each Vikings Roster Spot
And as team building for 2024 begins in about one month, these are the burning questions by position for the Vikings.
QB
Who Will It Be?
The primary, every-thing-starts-here domino of the Vikings’ offseason, the club must decide in the next month to extend Cousins or let him walk to free agency for the first time in six years.
Ergo, the question at quarterback is: just who in the hell will be the Vikings’ QB1 in September? Cousins? A rookie from the draft like Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels? A patchover passer like Drew Lock?
When it’s all said and done, it will probably be Cousins with his successor waiting and learning in the wings. We shall see.
RB
Do They Add More Juice?
The Vikings have five running backs under contract for 2024, including Ty Chandler, Alexander Mattison, and DeWayne McBride.
But the ground attack struggled in 2022 and 2023, so will the franchise sign a high-profile free-agent RB, draft one in the first three rounds — or just do nothing?
WR
Who’s the WR3?
K.J. Osborn is likely gone and on his way to free agency, leaving a WR3 void. Is Brandon Powell re-signed, or does Minnesota hit the open market for an affordable WR3?
TE
An Extra Body Due to Hockenson Injury?
Is a trio of Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, and Nick Muse enough to hold down the fort until T.J. Hockenson’s return sometime in the middle of the 2024 regular season?
OL
Total Continuity?
If Minnesota re-signs Dalton Risner and doesn’t cut Garrett Bradbury, it would have total offensive line continuity. Will they pursue it?
EDGE
Danielle Hunter? Who Else?
Because Danielle Hunter is a free agent, the Vikings need two starting outside linebackers. EDGE is not a position to gloss over if a team hopes to contend for the postseason.
DT
Finally Time to Upgrade?
For about a decade, the Vikings have employed men like Shamar Stephen and Jonathan Bullard at the non-NT defensive tackle spot. Will they finally splash and find a ferocious pass-rushing DT?
ILB
Hicks? Asamoah? Or Someone Else?
Ivan Pace Jr. has arrived, and it is fantastic. But is 2024 the time for Brian Asamoah’s emergence, or does Minnesota prefer a Jordan Hicks reunion? Off-ball linebackers are typically somewhat affordable on the free-agent wire.
CB
Is the Current Group Good Enough?
Maybe the most fascinating question on the defensive side of the ball, is this group enough at cornerback? Are there sufficient building blocks to fully trust in 2024?
CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Akayleb Evans
CB3: Mekhi Blackmon
CB4: Andrew Booth
CB5: NaJee Thompson
CB6: Jaylin Williams
CB7: A.J. Green III
S
Does Hitman Retire?
Harrison Smith is 35 years old. That’s quite old for a safety. Is this the end of the line for Smith, or will he return for Year No. 13?
Special Teams
Is Greg Joseph Back?
Joseph had a prove-it year in 2023 after banging through clutch kicks in 2022 but struggling otherwise. Then he ranked near the bottom of the NFL per field goal accuracy this year. Do the Vikings seek an upgrade this offseason?
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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