The Unsung Vikings Draft Domino
Because free agency was so kind to the Minnesota Vikings, the franchise crossed most major draft needs off its list.
The Unsung Vikings Draft Domino
But that tendency didn’t apply solely to the Vikings.
One outfit claimed this week that Camryn Bynum’s new contract with the Indianapolis Colts, along with Charvarius Ward, a cornerback, signing with that club, was the top free-agent move that affected the draft.
CBS Sports on Bynum to IND as Top Draft Domino
In addition to identifying moves like Stefon Diggs to the New England Patriots — New England isn’t forced into picking a wide receiver at No. 4 anymore — CBS Sports‘ Josh Edward called Bynum to the Colts the league’s most impactful free-agent signing related to the draft.
“Colts sign CB Charvarius Ward, S Camryn Bynum. After retaining their own players rather than buying in free agency 2024, Indianapolis broke open their piggy banks to sign two coveted secondary players this offseason. Cornerback and safety were primary positions of need for the franchise entering the offseason,” he argued.
“Once popular choices, Georgia safety Malaki Starks and Michigan cornerback Will Johnson Jr., have given way to other positions of need, including tight end and interior offensive line.”
The theory suggests that Indianapolis no longer needs a defensive back with the 14th pick, which opens up the possibility of the Colts drafting Tyler Warren, for example, while Starks and Johnson find different teams.
Edwards added, “The reason that the moves rank so highly on the list, however, is because they simultaneously created needs for their former teams: the 49ers and the Vikings. San Francisco has been linked to available cornerbacks whereas the Vikings are now viewed as a potential destination for top safety prospects.”
Colts No Longer Need a CB or S
Evidently, before free agency, mock drafts forecasted a cornerback or safety across the board for Indianapolis. They now have the freedom to pick the best player available.
Pull up any mock draft from the last few weeks, and there’s a substantial chance that document will fling the aforementioned Warren onto the Colts’ roster. He’s their new mock draft darling.
And per Edwards, that’s enabled by Ward and Bynum to Indianapolis via free agency.
Vikings, However, Could Use a Safety
With Bynum freshly gone from the Twin Cities and Harrison Smith turning 36 this offseason, the Vikings, on the other hand, might need a safety — which the Colts might’ve drafted otherwise.
Minnesota has Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward on the rotation for safety duty, and most onlookers aren’t too apprehensive about the foursome. However, Smith will likely retire after 2025, and when that happens, the Vikings have no heir apparent unless they choose a 1st-Round safety in 13 days.
The Two Round 1 Safeties
Any safety talk regarding Minnesota is just code for two men in Round 1: Georgia’s Malaki Starks and South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori.
It’s a toss-up on which man flies off the board first, but in theory, if Minnesota wants a safety at No. 24, the leftover rookie should be there.
Then, the debate turns to safety as a premium position. Drafting a safety in Round 1 is what teams with rich depth charts do — and that might just be Minnesota in 2025.
No Panic if Safety Isn’t the Pick
Although Bynum chased a large contract in Indianapolis, Minnesota does not urgently need a replacement.
The Vikings’ coaching staff has high hopes for Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward is a bit of a mystery man. There’s actually a decent chance that Minnesota’s first pick — whether at No. 24 or via trade back — is a cornerback, defensive tackle, or offensive guard.
If so, not selecting Starks or Emmanwori would be “no big deal.”
Longtime Viking Got His Wake-Up Call
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