2 Castaways Could Give the Vikings a Major Boost
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has been money in free agency, assembling impressive squads by acquiring high-level performers in March, some even offering tremendous value. One could argue that all of Blake Cashman, Jonathan Greenard, and Andrew Van Ginkel were massive bargains, and that doesn’t even include the obvious steal, Sam Darnold.
2 Castaways Could Give the Vikings a Major Boost
This year, the executive has hired Will Fries and Ryan Kelly to bolster the offensive line as well as Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen on the defensive side of the ball. Those two spots were obvious needs, but what if he added to a couple of already stacked spots and made the depth chart and rotation look rather ridiculous?
Two players were just released this week and could provide another boost at premium positions.
Gabe Davis
Do the Vikings need another wideout? They surely don’t with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor returning from last year’s crew. In addition to that, the franchise used its second draft pick (pick 102 in the third round) to bring in Maryland’s speedster Tai Felton, and the dynamic (if healthy) Rondale Moore signed in free agency.
Gabe Davis just turned 26, and the Jaguars said goodbye to him after only one season with the club. He was making $39 million on a three-year deal, too much for a player coming off a season with 239 yards and two touchdowns in ten games, especially after Travis Hunter was drafted and is expected to be Brian Thomas’ sidekick.
For the Vikings, however, Davis wouldn’t be that expensive. The Bills allowed him to walk in 2024, and the Jaguars said no thanks one year later. His market is depressed. Those seeking receiver help can still turn to Amari Cooper or Keenan Allen, so why not give Davis a call and try to lure him to the Twin Cities on a cheap one-year prove-it deal?
Davis had four reasonably productive seasons in Buffalo with an average of 683 receiving yards and seven touchdowns per year. He lit up the scoreboard in the 2021 postseason when he scored five times. The wideout would be an upgrade over Nailor and can play a similar role as a WR3 deep threat.
Jadeveon Clowney
The other notable cut from this week is former first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. He is at the tail end of his career, and he hasn’t lived up to the absurd hype he was getting coming out of Texas A&M in the draft that landed Anthony Barr and Teddy Bridgewater in Minnesota, but he still had a productive career with 58 sacks and over 400 tackles.
The Vikings employ the Pro Bowl duo of Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, and have Dallas Turner, last year’s 17th overall pick, waiting in the wings. Let’s ask the question again: Do the Vikings need him? They don’t, but it’s fun to think about.
Patrick Jones left in free agency, and beyond the three top guys, there’s no real fourth threat. The undrafted players, Gabriel Murphy, Bo Richter, Chaz Chambliss, and Tyler Batty, don’t really qualify for elevated roles in case of injury until proven otherwise, and the rotation feels one man short.
Clowney undoubtedly would be overqualified for that gig, but his presence and increased snaps for Turner would give the Vikings the chance to rest the two Pro Bowlers without having to fear a defensive breakdown, allowing them to be at their best when it’s required, on obvious passing downs and in the fourth quarter.
The former Texans draft pick has also been with the Seahawks, Titans, Browns, Ravens, and Panthers. He’s one of the premier run-defenders from the edge and is still an effective pass rusher.
If the 32-year-old doesn’t generate the desired interest on the open market, the Vikings could be a perfect landing spot for the aging veteran in a rotational role.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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