One Burning Question at Each Vikings Roster Spot

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Feb 10, 2024
Danielle Hunter
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

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?

Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) talks with teammates prior to their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports.

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?

Burning Question at Each
Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports.

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?

Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) looks on before the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports.

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?

Kirk Cousins Evidently
Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) celebrates his two-point conversion during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

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?

Jan 11, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury (56) and the offense lines up agains the San Francisco 49ers defense during the first half in the NFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

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?

Vikings Should Feast
Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) celebrates his sack of the Green Bay Packers quarterback and a forced fumble in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports.

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?

in Particular Rookie
Nov 18, 2023; Ames, Iowa, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) celebrates sacking the Iowa State Cyclones quarterback during the game at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron E. Martinez-USA TODAY Sports

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?

Defender on the Road
Sep 25, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah II (33) in action against the Detroit Lions during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

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?

Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (23) and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (40) react after a fumble recovery against the Detroit Lions during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

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?

Dec 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) and New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) in action during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

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?

Aug 3, 2023; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) during training camp at TCO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

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?

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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.