Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is hurried by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Marcus Davenport (0) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.
NFL free agency is 51 days away, and the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in 96.
The Minnesota Vikings’ offseason is here, and before too long, the budget will take shape as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah adds and subtracts players from the 2024 depth chart.
Several players will depart the organization, and these men can be considered close to gone, mainly because of disappearing acts in 2023.
They’re listed alphabetically.
Marcus Davenport was terrific — when he played.
The former Saint played in four games this season, which was really only three because he tried to play against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2 but limped to the sidelines after one drive.
Davenport was a difference-maker for three contests and then succumbed to a high ankle sprain. No one heard from him afterward. Folks, quite frankly, wondered where the hell he went. His contract — one year, $13 million — would’ve been more than worth it if he played, but he did not. Another NFL team will sign on for his services in March and hope the injury story has different chapters in 2024.
All told with the Vikings, Davenport logged 7 tackles, 4 QB hits, 2 sacks, and 2 tackles for loss in 3.1 games. He lasted 118 snaps in Minnesota.
This speedster has two problems, neither his fault.
Nwangwu failed to register his customary and annual kick return touchdown, and no attention was given to him in the Vikings offense. He vanished. This man could be a salary cap casualty later in the offseason.
Once upon a time, at the start of the 2022 offseason, Reed was envisioned as a starting Vikings offensive guard. That plan never materialized because the club drafted Ed Ingram and later signed Dalton Risner in 2023.
Reed played two offensive snaps for the 2023 Vikings — yes, you read that right — and for his sake, he should sign with a different team so he can actually see the field.
In 2022, Reed played more, 124 snaps when Garrett Bradbury was injured, but was a total nonfactor in 2023.
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.